Jackson, who starts at cornerback and plays on all three units, pulled up near the USC sideline at the end of a 31-yard punt return late in the first quarter.
The No. 8 USC Trojans opened the season with a bang, rolling to a 55-6 victory over visiting Arkansas State.
USC acquired off to a quick begin because of Kessler, an array of gifted receivers and its floor assault. The Red Wolves would score the first touchdown of the second half, but USC took control from that point on, finishing the game on a 27-0 run. Nevertheless, he was sacked 5 occasions.
USC added another blueshirt this week in punter Chris Tilbey from San Francisco City College, the fifth player to join the roster in that manner this fall and the sixth to do so under coach Steve Sarkisian. “It is going to be some extent of emphasis in follow”.
Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson said, “We were trying to use some quickness and some movement to try and make (Kessler) uncomfortable”. We did that at occasions. That might sound harsh, but it is no more than the coaching staff noticed Sunday. The Trojans faced third and nine from their own 39-yard line and quarterback Cody Kessler found wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster for a 61-yard touchdown catch. Kessler threw a second landing cross on the ultimate play of the primary quarter, connecting with sophomore Steven Mitchell Jr. for a 14-yard strike.
USC’s Tre Madden is finally ready to get back on the field after sitting out the 2014 season because of a foot injury. The tailback out of McKinney, Texas tallied an impressive showcase of talent, registering 86 yards on just six carries, including a 44-yard touchdown. The Trojans have struggled against dual-threat quarterbacks in the past but should be able to contain Knighten, with Jackson and linebacker Su’a Cravens (17 tackles-for-loss last season) leading the way.EXTRA POINTS1.
The Red Wolves seemed poised to score before the end of the half, but failed to convert a fourth down play to keep the drive alive.
However USC instantly responded. His fourth, an 8-yarder to Tre Madden, was another short pitch and catch. Jones boosted the rating to 42-6 when he raced 44 yards to the top zone.
The Arkansas State football team traveled halfway across the country for a $1.3 million payday while intent on earning a measure of respect against Southern Cal, one of college football’s most storied programs.
The game was the Trojans first against the Red Wolves, who were playing in California for the third time.
“It was easy’ this [coaching] is what I love to do”, Sarkisian said.
But this game raised some red flags that will probably not be addressed until USC plays a real team and that might not be until Week 4 based on Stanford’s meek effort against Northwestern. Sarkisian turned over the duties to dedicate extra time with the protection and particular groups. Sarkisian stated he’d mixed alcohol & unspecified medication & has stated he would seek remedy to see if he has a drinking drawback.
Perhaps it is good to focus on Kessler and not the offensive line, which also played below expectations. Although he was sacked five times, the senior steadily led the Trojans to a 36-point lead before taking the fourth quarter off in USC’s 18th consecutive season-opening win.