USC vs. Arizona: Sam Darnold and others look to make an impact in Tucson

Here are five potential Trojans who could make an impact on Saturday

After ending their four-game win streak against the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City on Saturday, the Arizona Wildcats look to bounce back at home this week. On Saturday they will be hosting the USC Trojans in Tucson.

The last six meetings between the two have been decided by eight points or less. Last year, the ‘Cats fell 38-30 in the Coliseum.

Let’s take a look at five Trojans who could be impactful players Saturday.

Sam Darnold, QB (#14)

Season Stats: 80-for-113, 1,099 yds, 8 TD, 2 INT; 25 car, 83 yds, 2 TD

After a dismal offensive start to the season for USC, Clay Helton made a change and started Sam Darnold against Utah. Darnold hasn’t looked back, rejuvenating the Trojans’ offense.

He has a great arm and can make some really impressive throws. He also has great vision, allowing him to make good reads down the field. He isn’t afraid to stand in the pocket and deliver an accurate pass down the field. He can use his legs as well to make a play, evidenced by his almost 100 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns so far this season. In his three starts, USC has a 2-1 record.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR (#9)

Season Stats: 31 rec, 433 yds, 5 TD

Smith-Schuster is the most dynamic playmaker on the Trojan offense. He is also arguably one of, if not the best, receiver in college football; he has the speed, size (6-foot-2, 220 pounds), and hands to back up that claim. He is not an easy receiver to bring down either, having the elusiveness to break tackles and make defenders miss.

He didn’t have that great of a start to the season, having 11 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns. However, he has exploded since Darnold has taken over the starting quarterback role. In the last three games, Smith-Schuster has racked up 334 yards on 20 catches and three touchdowns. If Arizona’s secondary can shut him down, they will be able to slow down the USC offense.

Adoree’ Jackson, CB (#2)

Season Stats: 30 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 2 INT, 10 PBU, 1 fumble recovery

If Smith-Schuster is the most dynamic playmaker on the offense, Jackson is the most dynamic playmaker on the entire team. He is fast, agile, explosive, and has great vision. Let’s not forget the fact that he is possibly the most dangerous return man in the nation. He has 168 yards on nine returns and a touchdown on punt returns and 349 yards on 11 returns and a touchdown on kickoffs.

He doesn’t have the stats on offense as he did last year, but he is making up for it on defense. He is a sure tackler and a good cover corner. He has the speed to keep up with the fast receivers and the hops to jump up and make a play on the ball. He also has incredible awareness. A prime example was a ridiculous interception he made against Colorado. Arizona’s quarterback is going to have to watch out for him and UA’s coverage teams need to slow him down on returns.

Cameron Smith, ILB (#35)

Season Stats: 49 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 2 PBU, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

Smith made such an impact last year that he was named a Freshman All-American First Teamer, Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, and All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention. His season ended last year with a serious knee injury. So far, he has bounced back nicely.

Checking in at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, he is a big body in that linebacker corps. Despite only being a true sophomore, he is a solid tackler, aggressively finishing tackles. That shows a great amount of maturity at his age. He also has the vision to make a play on the ball while it’s in the air. Last year he had three interceptions, including a pick-six, against Utah.

Ronald Jones II, RB (#25)

Season Stats: 46 car, 208 yds, 1 TD; 2 rec, 11 yds, 0 TD

With the status of Justin Davis in doubt coming into Saturday (high ankle sprain), look for Jones to get the start. He was a headache last year for Arizona. The ‘Cats did not have an answer for him and couldn’t wrap him up. He finished the game with 177 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.

He hasn’t had as productive of a season as last year, but he does have explosive play capability. As an example of his lack of production this year: his season high for yards in a game is 63 against Stanford. He will be looking to step it up against the Wildcat defense, which if the second halves of the past couple of games have shown us, might happen. That being said, Arizona’s run defense has been progressively getting better and better over the season.

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