Offense clicks quickly for the Trojans
USC’s season- opening victory over Arkansas State had a little bit of everything, not all of it entirely welcome for the Trojans.
The offense, in the playcalling hands of offensive coordinator Clay Helton, scored on multiple big plays, and quarterback Cody Kessler passed for four touchdowns.
The defense played aggressively, blitzed often and forced turnovers.
And multiple new players made big contributions in the 55- 6 victory on Saturday night at the Coliseum.
USC, ranked eighth in the Associated Press media poll and 10th in the coaches’ poll, amassed 509 yards in the victory over the Red Wolves, a near four- touchdown underdog from the Sun Belt Conference.
It wasn’t all good news for the Trojans.
Multipurpose standout Adoree’ Jackson suffered a hip injury while returning a punt in the first quarter and did not return.
Trojans coaches had talked about expanding the starting cornerback’s role in the offense, but he was sidelined after two offensive plays in which he didn’t handle the football.
Jackson’s availability for next week’s game against Idaho, another Sun Belt opponent, is uncertain.
And USC’s offensive line, which features returning starters at every position, gave up five sacks in the first half.
But for a f irst game, the Trojans did far more good than bad and took some of the heat off Coach Steve Sarkisian.
Two weeks ago, Sarkisian embarrassed himself and the university with his behavior at USC’s annual “Salute to Troy” booster event on campus. Sarkisian said he had mixed alcohol and unspecified medication and has said he would seek treatment to see if he has a drinking problem.
But Saturday night, he ran off the field excited by a victory that the Trojans can build upon.
Kessler picked up where he left off last season, when he passed for 39 touchdowns, with only five interceptions.
Kessler completed 13 of 18 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns in the f irst half. He was replaced by Max Browne early in the fourth quarter and f inished 19 of 26 for 238 yards.
Kessler connected for touchdowns with receivers JuJu Smith- Schuster and Steven Mitchell Jr., tight end Taylor McNamara and tailback Tre Madden. He distributed the ball to nine receivers.
Madden, who sat out last season because of a foot injury, returned to his 2013 form, rushing for 106 yards, including a 65- yard touchdown.
The Trojans gave up almost 500 yards to Arkansas State, but they mostly kept dualthreat quarterback Fredi Knighten in check.
Safety Chris Hawkins and linebacker Su’a Cravens intercepted passes, Hawkins recovered a fumble and freshman linebacker Osa Masina scooped up a lateral and returned it for a touchdown.
Last February, USC welcomed its f irst full recruiting class since 2011. Coaches said through spring practice and training camp that more players would contribute this season, and they made good on those proclamations on Saturday night.
In the first half, 12 freshmen, junior college transfers Isaac Whitney and De’Quan Hampton and McNamara, a graduate transfer who played three seasons at Oklahoma, helped the Trojans forge a 28- 0 halftime lead.
On the fourth play from scrimmage, SmithSchuster cut across the middle from right to left and caught a pass from Kessler. The 6foot- 2, 215- pound Smith- Schuster outmuscled and outran Red Wolves defenders to the end zone for a 61- yard touchdown.
Mitchell scored on a 14- yard touchdown pass play on the final play of the first quarter to increase the lead to 14- 0.
Madden broke off a career- long 65- yard touchdown run in the second quarter before the Trojans put together an eight- play drive that culminated with Kessler’s short touchdown pass to McNamara.
Arkansas State scored early in the third quarter on a touchdown run by Michael Gordon before the Trojans extended their lead on Madden’s touchdown reception, freshman Ronald Jones’ touchdown run and Masina’s touchdown return.
Freshman running back Aca’Cedric Ware added a six- yard run in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.