COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : USC : Ford Putting Kick in Trojan Horse

The Trojans were victimized last season by several long kickoff returns, but freshman kicker Cole Ford has helped alleviate the problem this season.

Half of Ford’s 18 kickoffs, not including an onside kick, have reached the end zone, and only one of the nine has been returned. His other nine kickoffs have, on average, reached the five-yard line and been returned an average of 17.2 yards.

A 29-yard kickoff return by Donovan Moore of Oregon two weeks ago was the longest allowed by the Trojans this season. Only one other kick has been returned more than 20 yards.

Ford has also been successful on five of seven field-goal attempts and on all nine of his conversion tries. His unsuccessful field goal attempts were from 42 and 57 yards. He has yet to miss from inside 40 yards. Against Oregon, Ford kicked three field goals.