The 6-3 USC football team hopes to make it four in a row in a rare Friday night game in freezing 4-6 Colorado (6 o’clock, ESPN2).
Temperatures are expected to plunge into the 20s.
Troy’s remaining regular season games are at Oregon next Saturday and against UCLA at the Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 28.
The Trojans beat Arizona 38-30 last Saturday night, led by running back Roland Jones II. He set a freshman record when he ran for 177 yards (in 19 carries).
SC’s stout defense held Arizona to 60 yards on the ground.
Interim Coach Clay Helton is 3-1 since taking the job five weeks ago.
“I love how this team plays,” said Helton, who is cementing his bid for the permanent position. “Every time they face adversity they stay extremely poised.”
Defense kept Troy in the game.
“For our defense to hold Arizona to 60 yards rushing on 32 carries is amazing,” said Helton.
While nose tackle Antwaun Woods made six tackles, the pressure he put on Arizona’s offensive line walled off their running game. “We knew it was going to be a dog fight,” said Woods. “We wanted to be disciplined and stop the run. It all starts in practice.”
Although USC ran 40 times for 229 yards, Jones and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster were the offensive stars.
Smith-Schuster was not expected to play because of a hand injury. He caught eight passes for 138 yards including 72 yard reception for a touchdown thrown by quarterback Cody Kessler. “I never have been associated with more of a warrior than JuJu,” said Helton.
Jones uses a combination of speed and power to create problems for defenses. His 40-yard dash time is 4.47. He ran the 100 meters in high school in a wind-aided 10.37.
“I have to keep working,” he said after the game. “I enjoy having a great game — as long as we get the win. That is all that matters.”
Jones, who is from Texas, was widely recruited.
Helton said Jones “came to USC to become a complete player. He is becoming more complete every day. When he makes contact with the defense, his legs explode. His role will increase.”
Jones said USC was the right school for him.
I watch highlight films of Reggie Bush,” he said. “To me he is the greatest Trojan of all. At USC I am learning how to catch passes, run the ball and pass block. We have a Heisman candidate at quarterback, one of the best receivers in the nation and we have an outstanding offensive line. That’s a recipe for success.”
