Williams is Ducks’ go-to guy

Oregon’s roster is full of players from Southern California, none more productive this season than receiver Jaison Williams.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound sophomore, who played at Culver City High, was not on the preseason watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, but he has played his way onto the list of 14 semifinalists.

“J. Will can catch the deep pass, he can go make the tough catch, he can catch the screen and make positive yards, and he has become our go-to guy,” Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti said.

Williams amassed more than 100 yards receiving against Fresno State, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Washington State and Portland State. He has 56 receptions and has scored six touchdowns while averaging 15.3 yards per catch.

Williams ranks second in the Pacific 10 Conference and eighth nationally with 95.3 yards receiving per game.

USC’s Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett also are semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to the nation’s top receiver.

Smith has a team-best 42 receptions, seven for touchdowns, and is averaging 16.6 yards a catch. Jarrett has caught 36 passes, five for touchdowns, and averages 12.6 yards a catch.

“They both have the capacity to take a game over,” Bellotti said. “The scary thing to me is the quarterbacks just throw the ball up and trust that they are going to go get it.

“They have speed, size, range, and they are tremendous. They are probably the best one-two punch in the nation at wide receiver.”

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USC guard Drew Radovich could see a familiar face in close proximity when he lines up against Oregon.

Ducks defensive end Nick Reed played with Radovich at Mission Viejo High. Reed has 15 tackles, including two sacks.

“I’m pretty fired up get to play against my old teammate,” Radovich said, chuckling. “I’m looking forward to jawing with him.”

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The Trojans, who lost at Oregon State two weeks ago, have not lost to Oregon State and Oregon in the same season since 2000, Paul Hackett’s final season as USC coach.

Oregon State defeated USC, 31-21, at Corvallis, Ore., and Oregon beat the Trojans, 28-17, at the Coliseum.

That is the last time the Ducks played the Trojans at the Coliseum.

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USC leads the series, 35-15-2. This will be the eighth time USC has faced a ranked Oregon team. The Trojans are 21-6-1 against the Ducks in Los Angeles.... Oregon offensive line coach Steve Greatwood coached USC’s offensive line in 1998 and ’99.

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gary.klein@latimes.com

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KEYS TO THE GAME

1 Running start. USC, which leads the Pacific 10 Conference in rushing defense, will be tested by the conference’s top running team. Jonathan Stewart and former Dorsey High star Jeremiah Johnson are a fast and powerful 1-2 punch. Quarterback Dennis Dixon adds another dimension for a team averaging 206 yards rushing a game. USC has eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark only once this season and generated only 86 and 108 yards rushing in its last two games.

2 Turnover trend. USC ended a turnover drought last week against Stanford. The Trojans have intercepted seven passes and recovered six fumbles. However, their turnover margin (plus-.25 for the season) must continue to improve against the Ducks and in coming weeks. Oregon had its own turnover troubles in losses to California and Washington State and is at minus-.44 for the season.

3 Special delivery. USC’s Troy Van Blarcom must recapture the form that had him consistently booming kickoffs into or through the end zone for touchbacks because Stewart averages a conference-best 26.1 yards per return. With Desmond Reed scheduled to miss the game, USC’s Patrick Turner will be under pressure returning punts for the first time. USC’s Mario Danelo has made 10 of 11 field-goal attempts; Oregon’s Paul Martinez is 13 for 17.

-- Gary Klein