Nov 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is pressured by Oregon Ducks linebacker De’Quan McDowell (54) during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Before the season, UCLA had the young, hot-shot quarterback that had the college football world — and NFL scouts — buzzing.
Now, USC does.
Redshirt freshman Sam Darnold is at the forefront of a Trojans’ resurgence that reached a peak with Saturday’s 26-13 victory at previously undefeated Washington, which was No. 4 in the country. Darnold completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards — the most allowed by the Huskies this season — and two touchdowns.
Remember, this is a Washington defense filled with future pros.
“Sam comes in here and plays with the poise he always has,” Helton said after the game. “A special night and a special quarterback.”
Darnold gets a different kind of stage this Saturday night.
USC, winners of six in a row and ranked 15th in the AP poll, plays struggling crosstown rival UCLA (4-6, 2-5) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. The Bruins are without sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen, the former No. 1 quarterback recruit who has missed four games because of a shoulder injury and won’t return this season.
Darnold has replaced him as the L.A. star. Helton put Darnold in as the starter, replacing Max Browne, for the fourth game of the season. USC lost that day, 31-27 at Utah when the defense allowed a touchdown in the final minute, but it has been all victories since then, riding the spark that Darnold provided.
The rivalry game wraps up the conference season for USC (7-3, 6-2), which finishes against Notre Dame. The Trojans are a half-game behind Colorado and hold a head-to-head tiebreaker. The Buffaloes, 6-1 in the league, finish two games against ranked teams — Washington State and Utah.
USC needs to win and have Colorado lose to win the Pac-12 South.
In any case, the future looks bright, in no small part due to Darnold.
“We do it for the coaches,” said receiver Darreus Rogers. “We believe in them and we come to work for them every day. I’m proud of these guys and I love them.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe had five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown against Washington, his score coming early in the fourth quarter to put USC up 11 points. One of things that USC has done well since QB Sam Darnold became the starter is find the tight ends in the passing game. Imatorbhebhe has four touchdowns among his 12 receptions this season.
–CB Adoree’ Jackson twice last week picked off Washington QB Jake Browning, who entered the game as the national leader in passing efficiency. Browning had thrown just three interceptions all season. Jackson has a team-high four interceptions, as well as 45 tackles and seven pass deflections.
–DT Rasheem Green blocked a 38-yard field goal attempt by Washington in the third quarter as the Huskies were trying to close within 17-16. Instead, USC marched 60 yards for a touchdown and a 24-13 lead. “It was an unbelievable shot of momentum that it gave our team,” coach Clay Helton said of the block. Green is also a key part of a defensive line that has been much-improved through the season.
