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No. 21 USC Football Visits No. 17 Washington For First Meeting Since 2016
September 22, 2019 | Football, Features
*It is Troy's first time playing the Huskies since 2016 due to the Pac-12's scheduling rotation. It also is the Trojans' first game on turf this year.
*USC has lost just once in Seattle in its last 6 visits.
*Historically, USC-UW games have been close affairs and, recently, more often than not the winner of the game has advanced to the Rose Bowl. The last team to shut out USC was the Huskies (22 years ago).
*After playing Washington, the Trojans have a bye before going to No. 10 Notre Dame for the annual intersectional rivalry battle.
*Last week, head coach Clay Helton's USC club beat its second ranked team of the season, and overcame some adversity in doing so. After true freshman QB Kedon Slovis (who began the year as the backup but became the starter when QB JT Daniels went down in the opener) was knocked out of the Utah contest on the game's second play, QB Matt Fink (No. 3 on the depth chart entering the season) came on and performed brilliantly, tossing 3 TDs and throwing for 351 yards. USC's receiving corps continues to prove it is among the nation's best: WR Michael Pittman Jr. (he had 10 catches for 232 yards versus Utah) and Tyler Vaughns are in the national Top 25 in receptions and receiving yards and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown isn't far behind (the trio already has 8 TD catches this season). The Trojan offensive line--led by OT Austin Jackson and OG Alijah Vera-Tucker--has allowed just 5 sacks to date. Troy's run game--featuring TBs Vavae Malepeai, Stephen Carr and Markese Stepp--was held under 100 yards last week for the first time this year. USC's young (9 starters are freshmen or sophomores), bend-but-don't-break defense has been making big plays in key moments (i.e. a goal line fumble recovery against Utah). Defensive leaders include veterans like DE Christian Rector and ILB John Houston Jr. and youngsters such as DLs Jay Tufele, Marlon Tuipulotu and Drake Jackson, SSÂ Talanoa Hufanga and Isaiah Pola-Mao and ILB Palaie Gaoteote IV (Hufanga and Gaoteote each had 14 stops versus the Utes, while Jackson caused a safety). PK Chase McGrath hasn't missed a kick in 2019 and Aussie P Ben Griffiths has allowed just 1 punt return all year.
*Head coach Chris Petersen saw his Washington team dismantle BYU on the road last Saturday, a week after USC fell to the Cougars in overtime in Provo. One-time Georgia starting QB Jacob Eason directs the Husky offense. Top rushers are RBs Salvon Ahmed, Richard Newton and Sean McGrew, while the leading pass catchers are TE Hunter Bryant and WRs Aaron Fuller and Andre Baccellia. The offensive line is anchored by OT Trey Adams and C Nick Harris. UW's defense, which returned only 2 starters from 2018, features DBs Myles Bryant and Kyler Gordon and LB Kyler Manu. PK Peyton Henry has hit all 7 of his field goals this season.
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