USC vs. Oregon State: How they match up

After an open date last week, USC attempts to bounce back from an upset loss at Boston College and improve to 2-0 in the Pac-12 Conference against unbeaten Oregon State. Staff writer Gary Klein examines the story lines and matchups for the game:

Home-field advantage

Oregon State has not defeated USC at the Coliseum since 1960.

The Trojans lost that game, 14-0, but have won 22 consecutive home games against the Beavers.

The last time the teams played at the Coliseum, in 2009, the Trojans won, 42-36, the closest margin since a 17-13 victory in 1968.

Airing it out

USC quarterback Cody Kessler is ranked 15th nationally in passing efficiency. The junior from Bakersfield has completed 71 of 100 passes (71%) for 846 yards and eight touchdowns, without an intercepted pass.

Kessler completed 31 of 41 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns in the Trojans’ 37-31 loss at Boston College. But he has not been allowed to consistently throw the ball downfield.

Oregon State has not given up a touchdown pass and ranks first among 125 major-college teams in passing-efficiency defense.

Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion is third on the Pac-12 career list behind USC’s Matt Barkley and Carson Palmer.

Mannion, a senior from Pleasanton, Calif., has completed 76 of 113 passes (67.3%) for 903 yards and four touchdowns, with two passes intercepted.

Last week, Mannion passed for 275 yards in a 28-7 nonconference victory over San Diego State.

USC, ranked 10th in passing-efficiency defense, has not given up a touchdown pass.

Catchy names

USC receiver Nelson Agholor is averaging 7.7 receptions per game and has scored three touchdowns.

Agholor has 23 catches, freshman JuJu Smith 11 and George Farmer nine.

Mannion’s favorite target, Victor Bolden, will be sidelined against USC because of a finger injury.

Richard Mullaney, who played at Thousand Oaks High; Hunter Jarmon; and tight ends Connor Hamlett and Caleb Smith are expected to have larger roles against the Trojans.

Buck vs. the Beavers

USC tailback Javorius “Buck” Allen is averaging 106 yards rushing per game.

After gaining 133 yards against Fresno State and a career-best 154 against Stanford, Allen was limited to 31 yards in 15 carries against Boston College.

Last season against Oregon State, Allen rushed for 133 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 41 yards.

Oregon State’s Terron Ward and Storm Woods each have rushed for 212 yards. Ward has scored four touchdowns, Woods three, including one on a pass play.

Front and center

USC’s defense, ranked 81st nationally, looks to make amends after giving up 452 rushing yards against Boston College.

The open date enabled lineman Leonard Williams to rest an injured ankle. And the line should have more players available to rotate in with the return of Greg Townsend Jr.

Safety Su’a Cravens said he would play strong-side linebacker this week.

Oregon State’s defense, ranked sixth nationally, features seniors or juniors at every spot. The Beavers have given up 255 yards a game.

Linebacker Michael Doctor, cornerback Steven Nelson and safety Tyrequek Zimmerman are the top tacklers.

Names of Fame

Luke Del Rio, a reserve quarterback for Oregon State, is the son of former Trojans All-American linebacker Jack Del Rio, the Denver Broncos’ defensive coordinator who will be introduced at halftime as part of USC’s 2015 Athletic Hall of Fame Class.

Former USC coach Pete Carroll, also a member of the Hall of Fame class, will not be at the game but is expected to be at the induction ceremony in May, a school spokesman said.

Former Trojans quarterback Jimmy Jones, defensive lineman Tim Rossovich and assistant coach Dave Levy are among the 16-member class.