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USC Hosts California in Homecoming Game
November 04, 2018 | Football, Features
*USC, back on track and tied again for the Pac-12 South Division lead after a solid win at Oregon State, returns to the Coliseum for its Homecoming/Reunion Weekend game when it hosts longtime foe California under the lights on ESPN.
*USC has not lost to Cal since 2003 and the Trojans have won 8 in a row over the Golden Bears in the Coliseum.
*It will be Troy's 106th meeting with Cal, the team the Trojans have played more than any opponent. *This will be the eighth night game for USC in 2018.
*Although USC lost its last game in the Coliseum, it had won its previous 19 there.
*Both schools' football programs have staff members who previously worked at the other school including Cal head coach Justin Wilcox (the one-time USC defensive coordinator).
*USC, with head coach Clay Helton assuming play-calling duties, quashed its 2-game losing skid with its victory at Oregon State. The Trojans are hoping to continue that momentum as they make their November run. USC's rushing attack got unleashed in Corvallis behind a 200/100-yard showing by TBs Aca'Cedric Ware and Vavae Malepeai. QB JT Daniels, who took over the signalcalling job this season after graduating a year early from high school, showed well after a game's absence while out with a concussion. He throws to a number of talented pass catchers, including WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown (his prep teammate), Tyler Vaughns and Michael Pittman Jr. Last game, USC's defense got to Oregon State's quarterback (6 sacks) and stopped the Beaver ground game (holding the Pac-12's rushing leader 70 yards under his average), as DLs Christian Rector and Jay Tufele were in the OSU back eld often. As is often the case late in the season, injuries are a factor (USC has lost 5 starters this year), so lots of young Trojans are being relied upon.
*California is coming off a last-minute loss at Washington State last week. RB Patrick Laird, who is closing in on his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, is the workhorse of Cal's balanced offense as he leads the team in rushing and is second in receptions. WR Vic Wharton III is the Golden Bears' top pass catcher. Young QBs Chase Garbers and Brandon McIlwain, threats as throwers and runners, have split time at quarterback. Cal's defense is in the Top 25 nationally in total defense, pass defense and pass efficiency defense. Defensive leaders are ILBs Jordan Kunaszyk and Evan Weaver, who both are in the national Top 20 in tackles, along with Ss Ashtyn Davis and Jaylinn Hawkins.
*The USC women's volleyball and men's and women's swimming and diving teams will be in home action this weekend.
