USC vs. Arizona State: Key matchups and story lines

The Pac-12 Conference South is regarded as one of the deepest and toughest divisions in college football. USC, coming off a loss to Stanford, plays its first division game against Arizona State at Tempe, Ariz. Times staff writer Gary Klein examines the matchups and story lines:

Devil of a place

USC has lost three of its last four games against Arizona State and has not won at Sun Devil Stadium since 2009, Pete Carroll’s last season as the Trojans’ coach.

In 2011, No. 23 USC committed four turnovers in a 43-22 defeat in Tempe. It was Arizona State’s first victory over the Trojans since 1999.

Two years ago, Arizona State scored four unanswered third-quarter touchdowns en route to a 62-41 victory that ended the Lane Kiffin era at USC.

In both games, Arizona State returned an interception for a touchdown.

Different styles

USC quarterback Cody Kessler ranks third nationally in passing efficiency. The senior is completing 79% of his passes, with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Kessler passed for 272 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Stanford.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is Kessler’s favorite target. The sophomore receiver has 22 receptions, four for touchdowns. Receiver Steven Mitchell Jr. has nine catches, three for touchdowns.

Arizona State’s Mike Bercovici passed for 510 yards and five touchdowns — including a game-winning Hail Mary — in the Sun Devils’ 38-34 victory over the Trojans last season. It was the most touchdown passes ever against the Trojans by an opposing quarterback.

Bercovici, who is not shy about taking chances, has passed for 799 yards and seven touchdowns, with one interception. Last Friday, he passed for 317 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-10 victory over New Mexico. He also rushed for an eight-yard touchdown.

D.J. Foster has a team-best 16 receptions, one for a touchdown. He has caught a pass in 43 consecutive games, one shy of the Arizona State record set by John Jefferson from 1974-77.

Foster is four yards shy of becoming the fourth player in NCAA history to amass more than 2,000 rushing and receiving yards.

Devin Lucien, a graduate transfer from UCLA who caught two passes in the Bruins’ 38-20 win over the Trojans last season, has 13 receptions. Lucien suffered a leg injury against New Mexico but is expected to play.

Rushing back

USC tailback Tre Madden suffered a calf strain against Stanford but is expected to play against Arizona State.

In the 2013 loss to the Sun Devils, Madden rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown, averaged 6.4 yards per carry, and also caught two touchdown passes.

If Madden is slowed or reinjured, junior Justin Davis and freshman Ronald Jones II will carry the load.

Arizona State’s Demario Richard rushed for 104 yards against New Mexico and also had 151 yards receiving and caught two touchdown passes.

Foster has rushed for 97 yards in 20 carries.

Running backs Kalen Ballage and De’Chavon Hayes are expected to play Saturday after sitting out because of illness and injury, respectively.

Getting defensive

Linebacker Su’a Cravens has been USC’s playmaker. The junior is second on the team with 21 tackles, two for losses, and has intercepted a pass.

The Trojans could be without senior cornerback Kevon Seymour for the second consecutive game because of a knee injury. Nose tackle Antwaun Woods also could be limited or sit out because of a shoulder injury.

USC has given up 395.3 yards a game, which ranks 79th among 127 major college teams.

Arizona State’s defense, led by linebackers Salamo Fiso, Christian Sam and Viliami Moeakiola and defensive back Jordan Simone, ranks ninth nationally and first in the Pac-12 against the pass. But the statistics are probably skewed because the Sun Devils’ last two opponents, Cal Poly and New Mexico, run triple-option offenses.

The Sun Devils rank 106th in rushing defense, also probably skewed because of the run-heavy opponents.

Still searching

USC Coach Steve Sarkisian remains in search of his first victory over Arizona State. He is 0-4 against the Sun Devils, twice losing on last-second touchdown passes.

In 2009, Arizona State defeated Sarkisian’s first Washington team, 24-17, on a 50-yard touchdown pass with five seconds left. The Huskies also lost in 2010 and 2013.

gary.klein@latimes.com