Culver City Observer -

By Myke Williams

Sports Reporter

The 6-3 USC football team hopes to make it four wins in a row when it travels to Colorado tonight in a rare Friday night game at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

The Trojans will face the Buffalos in temperatures that are expected to drop into the 20’s. After they battle the 4-6 Buffalos their two remaining regular season games are against Oregon on the road next Saturday and UCLA at home on November 28.

Last Saturday the Trojans beat Arizona 38-30. They were led by freshman running back Roland Jones II who set a freshman rushing record with 177 yards in 19 carries and a defense that held Arizona to 60 yards rushing.

Interim head coach Clay Helton is 3-1 since taking over the job five weeks ago. “I love how this team plays,” said Helton after the win over Arizona. “Every time they face adversity they stay extremely poised.”

Helton singled out the defense for keeping them in the game. “For our defense to hold Arizona to 60 yards rushing on 32 carries is amazing to me.” Nose tackle Antwaun Woods led the defense with six tackles but the pressure he put on Arizona’s offensive line was the key to stopping their running game.

“We knew going into the game 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 the ball 40 times for 229 yards Jones along with receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster were the offensive stars of the game. Smith-Schuster, who was not expected to play because of a hand injury, caught eight passes for 138 yards including a 72-yard reception for a touchdown thrown by quarterback Cody Kessler.

“I have never been associated with more of a warrior than JuJu,” said Helton.

Jones uses a combination of speed and power to create problems for opposing defenses. His 40 yard dash time is 4.47 and he ran the 100 meters in high school in a wind-aided 10.37.

“I have to keep working,” said Jones after the Arizona game. “I enjoy having a great game as long as we get the win, that’s all that matters. I just try to make the best of my opportunities.”

Jones, who is from Texas, had the opportunity to attend a lot of colleges but he chose USC.

“He came to USC to become a complete player,” said Helton. “Now he is becoming a more complete player 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. 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.”