Written by Robert Henry
The USC Trojans struggled early on this season but after head coach Clay Helton decided to start Sam Darnold at quarterback, their season has started to turn around. They have gone on to win five straight games. USC has defeated Arizona State, Arizona, Colorado, California and Oregon since Darnold took the reins. The Washington Huskies have racked up wins against every team they have played thus far this season. They gave Stanford an embarrassing 44-6 loss and beat California last week, 66-27. The Huskies are a team that have earned their place as one of the top five teams in the nation.
Since Darnold has taken over as starting quarterback, he has rejuvenated this Trojans team. Last week, Darnold threw for over 309 yards and completed 28 of 40 passes, two touchdowns and an interception. Wide receiver Deontay Burnett caught one of those touchdown passes. Burnett finished the game with seven catches for 87 yards. The other touchdown pass to Darnold threw went to tight end Taylor McNamara, who pulled in four balls for 47 yards.
The most impressive player for USC last week though was Ronald Jones II. He ran for 171 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries. With Jones II running the way he is and if the USC receiving corps keeps up the good work, the Huskies defense will have to stay on their toes to make the stops they need.
Washington Quarterback Jake Browning has been remarkable this season. The sophomore quarterback completed 19 of 28 passes for 378 yards and six touchdowns last weekend. Browning is on fire and Cal learned how dangerous he can be. Three of those touchdowns went to wide receiver John Ross III, who pulled in six receptions for 208 yards. Wide receiver Dante Pettis also had eight catches for 104 yards and three touchdowns. Pettis also threw a touchdown on a trick play for 39 yards to wide receiver Darrel Daniels. Running backs Lavon Coleman and Myles Gaskin combined for 182 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The Huskies have shown time and time again this season that they are an explosive, tough team on both sides of the ball.
Washington has the advantage when it comes to offense, defense and special teams but that doesn't mean you can count USC out. USC,in the past, have upset teams before so it will be interesting to see if the Trojans can do it again and give the Huskies their first lost this year. If Darnold can continue his high level of play, that should be able to propel the Trojans to victory. Washington will face off against a Trojans team that is dying to end their perfect season and get the country talking about them again.
Since Darnold has taken over as starting quarterback, he has rejuvenated this Trojans team. Last week, Darnold threw for over 309 yards and completed 28 of 40 passes, two touchdowns and an interception. Wide receiver Deontay Burnett caught one of those touchdown passes. Burnett finished the game with seven catches for 87 yards. The other touchdown pass to Darnold threw went to tight end Taylor McNamara, who pulled in four balls for 47 yards.
The most impressive player for USC last week though was Ronald Jones II. He ran for 171 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries. With Jones II running the way he is and if the USC receiving corps keeps up the good work, the Huskies defense will have to stay on their toes to make the stops they need.
Washington Quarterback Jake Browning has been remarkable this season. The sophomore quarterback completed 19 of 28 passes for 378 yards and six touchdowns last weekend. Browning is on fire and Cal learned how dangerous he can be. Three of those touchdowns went to wide receiver John Ross III, who pulled in six receptions for 208 yards. Wide receiver Dante Pettis also had eight catches for 104 yards and three touchdowns. Pettis also threw a touchdown on a trick play for 39 yards to wide receiver Darrel Daniels. Running backs Lavon Coleman and Myles Gaskin combined for 182 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The Huskies have shown time and time again this season that they are an explosive, tough team on both sides of the ball.
Washington has the advantage when it comes to offense, defense and special teams but that doesn't mean you can count USC out. USC,in the past, have upset teams before so it will be interesting to see if the Trojans can do it again and give the Huskies their first lost this year. If Darnold can continue his high level of play, that should be able to propel the Trojans to victory. Washington will face off against a Trojans team that is dying to end their perfect season and get the country talking about them again.