Michael Jackson III back in action for the Trojans
The USC offense will have another playmaker available this weekend as the Trojans get wide receiver Michael Jackson III back in the fold, head coach Lincoln Riley said during his Thursday media availability.
Jackson missed the first game of the season for the Trojans. Riley said previously at the end of fall camp that the 6-foot, 200-pound junior was limited due to injury and his availability for the opener would be made close to game day.
With Jackson back in the fold, it appears USC will virtually at full strength on the outside.
“We’ll have Mike Jack back this week,” RIley said. “It’s good to have him back. He’s doing well.”
Riley said true freshman Makai Lemon, who logged his first college game action last week, continues to impress at outside receiver.
“Maybe a little bit closer to full strength there,” Riley said.
It’s not as if USC’s offense needed an extra weapon, considering the Trojans weren’t at their best and still rolled to seven offensive touchdowns and more than 500 total yards while rotating liberally and playing plenty of freshmen against what should be a fine San Jose State defense this season.
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But Jackson will give the Trojans another boost if he’s fully healthy and ready to go. He filled in for an injured Jordan Addison at times last season and finished the year with 17 receptions for 236 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson had a huge game against Cal with Addison sidelined, catching five passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored a key touchdown at Utah during the regular season and had one against Tulane in the Cotton Bowl.
USC spread the ball around plenty against San Jose State. Twelve different Trojans recorded at least one reception. It could very well play out similarly against Nevada on Saturday. And it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jackson get himself involved.
Jackson also gives the Trojans another option as a punt returner. Though, true freshman Zachariah Branch will have something to say about that as he returned three punts for 66 yards, including a 35-yard return, in the first game of his college career.
