USC
California
Game Preview: No. 9 USC Football Returns To Coliseum For Homecoming Matchup Against Cal
November 04, 2022 | Football
Who: USC vs Cal
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
When: Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 PT on ESPN
All-time series: USC leads, 71-32-5
Last meeting: Cal won 24-14 in Berkeley
ÂCal Player Spotlight:
Quarterback Jack Plummer:
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More of a traditional pocket passer compared to the various mobile quarterbacks USC has seen so far this season
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Has been sacked 25 times this season
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Tied for 2nd in the Pac-12 along with Stanford's Tanner McKee
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So far in 2022:
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178 of 291 for 1,968 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptionsÂ
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Exited last week's game against Oregon due to what is being described as a neck injury, but is expected to play on Saturday
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Plummer threw two interceptions that game - his first time doing so as a Bear
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Linebacker Jackson Sirmon:
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Leads Cal in tackles with 76
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Ranks third in the Pac-12
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Has recorded at least 8 tackles in 7 of 8 games played
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Made 10+ tackles in the Bear's last two games
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Son of Cal defensive coordinator and former USC linebackers coach Peter Sirmon
The Victory Podcast - Cody Kessler and Keely Eure preview USC vs Cal:
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Keys to the Game:
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Continue the "Next Man Up" Mentality
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The Trojans saw key contributions on both sides of the ball last Saturday in light of several injuries sprinkled throughout their roster. Redshirt freshman Mason Murphy responded to the call and received praise for his first start as a Trojan at left tackle. In addition, wide receivers Kyle Ford and Tahj Washington rose to the occasion due to Jordan Addison and Mario Williams absences. On the other side of the ball, safety Bryson Shaw earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors for his presence in USC's secondary and his game-changing interception.
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While Riley shared Thursday that all of the Trojans' injured players have made "good progress" in their recovery this week, it's still unknown how many will be able to contribute against Cal. Just like last week, USC's success depends on every part of its roster contributing. There will likely be roles for certain players to fill, and it's vital that they rise to the occasion.
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Score Early
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USC's offense continues to impress each week. It appears that quarterback Caleb Williams has found his stride, as he has led the Trojans to new heights in back-to-back games. The sophomore broke his collegiate record for most passing yards in a single game against Arizona, while USC eclipsed its season high for total yardage for the second consecutive game.Â
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The Trojans should look to continue their scoring success Saturday and put the game away early. Cal's offense averages 23 points per game and is not built for high-scoring games. USC can put the game out of reach quickly if its offense can sustain drives and score early and often.
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Focus on Fundamentals
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USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch described his staff as being "sick to their stomachs" when evaluating their group's last two games. The Trojans have allowed their opponents more than 500 total yards and have not entirely lived up to their "bend, but don't break" mantra as of late. While injuries have certainly impacted USC's performance, Grinch stressed a sense of urgency Wednesday to correct his defense's mistakes.
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Luckily for the Trojans, they have an opportunity to right their wrongs on Saturday. Cal's starting signal caller, Jack Plummer, is a pure pocket passer and does not resemble the tenacious, dual-threat quarterbacks USC has faced multiple weeks in a row. Plummer has been sacked 25 times so far this season, so the Trojans' backfield should relish the opportunity to make the Bears' quarterback uncomfortable. Ultimately, it will be critical for the Trojans to remember their assignments and remain fundamentally sound.
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"We've got to be honest about [Cal's] excitement level coming in here on Saturday and have an understanding, in terms of, we're gonna get the best version of them," Grinch explained Wednesday. "We expect that. We're going to make sure we give them the best version of us and we haven't done that in a long time."
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