The energy in the Coliseum was back to normal Saturday afternoon as the USC Trojans kicked off the 2021 season with a 30-7 win over San José State. Junior wide receiver Drake London was a standout among the offense with a career-high 13 catches for 144 yards, and the defense held up its end of the deal by holding the Spartans to one scoring drive and cementing the win with a pick-six by senior nickelback Greg Johnson.
The No. 14-ranked Trojans look to keep the momentum going as they take on long-standing rival Stanford at home. Here are a few keys to the game.
Exploit Stanford’s change at quarterback
Stanford struggled in its opener against Kansas State, a 24-7 loss this past Saturday. Its offense was shutout until late in the fourth quarter and produced just 233 yards on 4.5 yards per play. After replacing starting quarterback Jack West mid-game, sophomore Tanner McKee had an efficient afternoon, going 15-for-18 for 118 yards and a touchdown. This week, Stanford will start McKee and if the Trojans are able to stop the run game, which only produced 39 yards Saturday, this will put the majority of the pressure on McKee.
Stay consistent on defense
The Trojan defense will need a repeat performance if they plan to secure a win this Saturday, and they have the talent to do so. Sophomore linebacker Drake Jackson, freshman lineman Korey Foreman, Johnson and freshman safety Calen Bullock were just a few of the players to perform well for the Trojans, and they could be getting back starting safety redshirt senior Isaiah Pola-Mao, who missed the opener due to health and safety protocols. The Trojans have a defense capable of capitalizing on mistakes made by an unsettled Stanford offense.
Stanford will rely heavily on its defense as well. In the second half last Saturday, Stanford gave up fewer than 100 yards of offense and held the Wildcats to just 10 points, seven of which came on a short field after a turnover. If the Stanford defense can play that way for all four quarters, find some ways to get pressure on junior quarterback Kedon Slovis and force turnovers, they might have a chance of shutting down the Trojan offense.
Take advantage of every opportunity
The difference between a win or loss can all come down to capitalizing on every opportunity, especially in the red zone. The Trojans left 12 points in the red zone and settled for field goals on three of their four trips inside the 20-yard line against San José State. Sophomore kicker Parker Lewis went 3-for-3 on his attempts, but none of them were longer than 30 yards.
The Trojans should also look to get more players involved on offense. Other than London, who had a great opening game, redshirt sophomore Tahj Washington was the only receiver to make more than two catches. If the offense can spread the ball, it will become more efficient and keep the Stanford defense from targeting one specific player.
This will be the first Pac-12 matchup of the season, so there is plenty at stake, but head coach Clay Helton and the Trojans are prepared for the battle.
“It’s really been a good week of work for our kids, a good three days,” Helton said Thursday. “We’ll finalize getting planned today and get ready for an opening conference game at home, at night, should be an electric atmosphere.
“Always an important game within our conference ... We’re just trying to go 1-0 again this week and take that approach.”
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and will be aired on FOX.