USC’s win over Arizona State gave Keyshawn Johnson ‘a little bit of hope’

Former USC All-American Keyshawn Johnson has been critical of Trojans Coach Steve Sarkisian since he was hired in 2013.

It seemed fitting that one of the last questions Johnson was asked during a Q&A session at a screening of the ESPN documentary, “30 for 30: Trojan War” — a film about USC’s national championship runs under Pete Carroll — was about USC’s potential for success under Sarkisian.

Johnson chuckled, as did most of the theater, before he responded.

“Arizona State gave me a little bit of hope,” Johnson said. “Playing a night game in the heat and dominating them the way that they did and you are watching them pound on UCLA, makes me feel good about what’s coming in the next several weeks.”

USC defeated Arizona State, 42-14, before the Sun Devils defeated UCLA, 38-23, the following week.

The Trojans, who are 3-1 overall, play Washington on Thursday before they travel to South Bend to face 15th-ranked Notre Dame.

Johnson said “the flames were really coming” under Sarkisian’s seat before USC’s victory against Arizona State and that the “flames will get hot again” when the Trojans play the Fighting Irish.

USC also has games against Top 25 teams Utah, California and UCLA remaining on its schedule.

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