PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Aca’Cedric Ware rushed for more than 100 yards in a second consecutive game for the first time in his career. Ware tallied 205 yards with three touchdowns in the Nov. 3 rout of Oregon State, and gained 103 in the loss to Cal.
Ware could continue that streak against a UCLA defense that has allowed more rushing yards than all Pac-12 teams but Oregon State — if he’s available. Ware injured his shoulder against Cal, which — combined with injuries to Stephen Carr and Vavae Malepeai — throws an already inconsistent USC offense into further uncertainty.
–C Toa Lobendahn’s struggles in center-to-quarterback exchanges continued in the loss to Cal, most notably in a botched exchange in the third quarter that resulted in a safety to begin the Golden Bears’ 15-point second-half run. Coach Clay Helton said on Sunday that Lobendahn will remain the team’s starting center, assuming he’s available after suffering an ankle injury.
–CB Jonathan Lockett earned effusive praise from coach Clay Helton following the Nov. 3 win at Oregon State, and he made a strip on a tackle against Cal that would have been a difference-maker had replay review not overturned it. A bevy of injuries and departures in the secondary has forced Trojans to play more snaps and elevate their performances; Lockett is one who has answered the call.
–LB John Houston Jr. comes in as USC’s leading tackler, taking over the team’s primary run-stopping responsibilities with ILB Cameron Smith slowed by late-season injury. Houston approaches the end of the campaign on a meteoric rise, moving from special teams and rotational duties in the first half of last season, to the most productive member of the USC front seven this season.
SERIES HISTORY: USC leads the all-time series with UCLA, 49-31-7. The Trojans have won the last three and are 15-4 since snapping an eight-game skid in 1999.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’m sorry for the 5-5 season right now. But better days are to come. Programs I’ve seen across the country, win a Rose Bowl, win a Pac-12 Championship and then have an off season and then come right back. As a matter of a fact we’re going to compete against one of them in about two weeks (Notre Dame, which finished 4-8 in 2016).” — USC coach Clay Helton, on the Trojans’ .500 record.
