Oregon Gets Set to Play USC
Today's football notebook zeroes in on the first of Oregon's three straight road opponents, the USC Trojans (3-3, 1-2). The Ducks make the trip to the L.A. Coliseum for a 7:15 p.m. game, Saturday, Oct. 25, which will be televised nationally by Fox Sports Net.
Here's a quick rundown of what USC has to offer.
USC in '97:
USC welcomes the Ducks to the L.A. Coliseum after a 3-1 record their past four games this year. The Trojans again own one of the nation's best schedules (eighth best) after facing one of the nation's five toughest slates in three of the past four years.
On the Punt . . .
Senior Jim Wren, a pre-season All-American, is averaging 43.5 yards per punt this season -- third in the conference. Of his 44 punts this season, 12 have gone at least 50 yards and 11 have pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line. Last season, he ranked seventh nationally with a 45.6 average, a new school record by an average of one yard per kick.
Stepping it Up . . .
The Trojans defense has already made 71 tackles for losses and 25 sacks this season, compared with 19 and seven, respectively, all last year. The 'D' has also forced eight interceptions and recovered four fumbles in 1997.
Under Center . . .
First-year starting quarterback John Fox has thrown 90 passes without an interception. So far this season, he has completed 98 of 178 passes for a 55.1 percent completion mark, an 117.28 efficiency rating, six touchdowns, four interceptions and an average of 196.3 yards passing per game.
Last Week at Notre Dame:
USC left the Golden Dome with a 20-17 victory, their first win at South Bend since 1981 and second in a row after a 13-game winless streak against the Irish. The Trojans won on a 37-yard field goal with 1:05 left on a drive set up by an interception by linebacker Mark Cusano.
Among the Pac-10 Teams . . .
USC ranks ninth in rushing, ninth in passing offense, 10th in total offense and 10th in scoring offense. On the other side of the ball, they rank first in rushing defense, seventh in pass defense, eighth in total defense and sixth in scoring defense.
Among Pac-10 Individuals . . .
Trojan sightings among the Pac-10 rolls include Billy Miller (5.5 catches per game - fourth, and 11.1 yards per catch), R. Jay Soward (121.7 all purpose yards per game - 10th; 25.9 yards per kickoff return average - second); Chad Morton and Brian Kelly (each two interceptions); Jim Wren (43.6 yard punting average - third); Mark Cusano (30 tackles in six games, eighth); Richard Cook (37 tackles in seven games - ninth).
USC SCHEDULE Florida State L, 7-14 WASHINGTON STATE L, 21-28 @CALIFORNIA W, 27-17 UNLV W, 35-21 @ARIZONA STATE L, 7-35 @Notre Dame W, 20-17 O25 OREGON N1 @WASHINGTON N8 STANFORD N15 @OREGON STATE N22 UCLA
THE SERIES . . .
USC owns the best conference record among the Pac-10 against Oregon, sporting a 32-11-2 advantage overall and 20-5-1 at Los Angeles. The Ducks came away with a 22-7 victory in their last meeting in 1994 in the Coliseum. However, not since 1970 and '71 has Oregon posted back-to-back wins in the series and they have never done so in consecutive Southern California visits.
LAST MEETING . . .
In 1994, a short-handed Oregon squad jumped out to a 10-0 first quarter lead and shutout USC in the second half to post its first win in the Coliseum in 23 years, 22-7. The Ducks, playing without their starting quarterback, tailback and best defensive back, struck early and benefitted from one turnover and nine quarterback sacks to post their second straight win of the season (3-2) en route to their first Rose Bowl bid in 37 years. Only 13 players who made that last Southern California trek remain with the team this season, including quarterback Jason Maas who traveled with the team (but did not play) as a true freshman due to an injury to starter Danny O'Neil.
USC STATISTICAL LEADERS
Running Back Rushing Att. Yds. Avg. TD Game M. MacKenzie, tb 66 232 3.5 3 38.7 LaVale Woods, tb 35 139 4.0 2 34.8 Delon Washington, tb 62 146 2.4 1 24.3 Quarterback Passing Att. Comp. Yds. Pct. TD Int. John Fox, qb 178 98 1178 55.1 6 4 Receiving No. Yds. Avg. TD Long Billy Miller, wr 33 367 11.1 0 41 R. Jay Soward, wr 25 465 18.6 5 78 Mike Bastianelli, wr 19 223 11.7 2 27 Tackles UT AT FR INT TFL Mark Cusano, lb 30 17 0 1 4-15 Rashard Cook, ss 37 9 0 1 8-47 Antuan Simmons, cb 30 11 1 1 6-31 Chris Claiborne, lb 27 14 0 0 11-61
