USC’s Adoree’ Jackson says he’s focused on ‘doing the little things right’

Adoree’ Jackson caught the kickoff at the three-yard line and raced 97 yards to the end zone against Stanford in September.

The play was nullified by a penalty, and the Trojans lost to the Cardinal.

Jackson was then quiet on returns for several weeks, but he has come alive in the last two games — just in time for the Trojans’ rematch with the Cardinal on Saturday in the Pac-12 Conference title game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

He returned a punt for a touchdown in a loss at Oregon and then did it again in last week’s victory over UCLA.

“Just trying to keep it going — that’s the only thing I’m thinking about,” Jackson said Wednesday after practice. “Doing the little things right.”

Jackson, who started 10 games at cornerback this season, started at safety last week. He also has lined up as a receiver and running back.

Stanford features the versatile Christian McCaffrey, a multipurpose star who is regarded as a probable Heisman Trophy finalist.

Jackson said there was no special motivation with McCaffrey on the field.

“Not at all,” Jackson said. “I just have focus and play my game. If you think about what someone else may be doing, and you want to match him, you’re not going to play to the best of your ability because you’re trying to worry about how to beat him.

“So I just try to stay focused and try to do what I’m capable of doing.”

Recognized

Senior defensive lineman Antwaun Woods was pleasantly surprised Pac-12 coaches voted him first-team all-conference.

Woods has six tackles for loss, including three sacks.

“I really don’t set goals like that,” said Woods, who came on in the final four games, “but I work hard and it was great to see.”

Quick hits

Coach Clay Helton, who signed a five-year contract this week, said he received congratulatory text messages from former coaches Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian. “I would not be here today if it wasn’t for both men,” he said. Helton said he “took away some great things” from his time as an assistant under them. “Both guys are extremely offensive-brilliant-minded people and have taught me lot in my six years here,” he said…. Twenty-four former USC players were among 50 players voted to the Pac-12 Networks’ All-Century team. John McKay was coach of the century and Ronnie Lott was defensive player of the century. Stanford quarterback John Elway was offensive player of the century.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein