GAME PREVIEW: USC
On PaPer
BY BRYAN DRISKELL
USC RUNNING GAME
VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE
The question about how the Trojans would replace
running back Javorius Allen, who ran for 1,489 and
11 touchdowns in 2014 before moving on to the NFL,
has been quickly answered. USC has ridden the two-
man combination of senior Tre Madden (333 yards,
6.2 yards per carry) and freshman Ronald Jones II
(307 yards, 8.1 yards per carry). Madden has proven
to be the thunder to the speedy Jones' lightning.
The Trojans averaged 178.0 yards per game and an
impressive 5.3 yards per carry during their 3-2 start.
Despite struggling against Arizona State (76 yards,
2.4 yards per carry), USC is averaging 140.3 yards per
game against Power Five opponents after racking up
190 yards against Washington.
Notre Dame has been wildly inconsistent against
the run this season. The Irish are allowing 150.0
yards per game overall, and 133.5 yards per contest
versus non-option teams. Notre Dame largely domi-
nated the ground attacks of Texas and Virginia, but
UMass and Clemson were able to have some success
ripping off big gains against the Irish defense.
ADVANTAGE: USC
USC PASSING GAME
VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE
The Notre Dame defensive backs probably still
have nightmares about what happened to them
Sophomore wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster leads the way for a talented group of USC skill position
players, and posted team highs in catches (33), receiving yards (619) and touchdown grabs (six) through
five contests.
PHOTO COURTESY USC
