Skip to main content

USC at Cal by the Numbers

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney10/28/23

ErikTMcKinney

Tahj Washington
Southern California Trojans wide receiver Tahj Washington (16) is pursued by California Golden Bears safety Daniel Scott (32) in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Here’s a look at some of the statistics and the number to know heading into this afternoon’s game between the No. 24 USC Trojans (6-2, 4-1) and the California Golden Bears (3-4, 1-3).

Team Statistics and Rankings

USC offense vs Cal Defense

StatUSC offensePac-12 rankFBS rankCal defensePac-12 rankFBS rank
Points per game45.42nd3rd31.110thT-110th
Total yds per game480.43rd10th392.18th89th
Pass yds per game323.35th9th247.48th100th
Rush yds per game157.17th65th144.78th70th
3rd down %42.5%6th47th38.3%7th74th
Turnovers10T-6thT-64th142ndT-12th

Cal offense vs USC defense

StatCal offensePac-12 rankFBS rankUSC defensePac-12 rankFBS rank
Points per game29.99thT-53rd30.59th107th
Total yds per game406.09th57th407.69th107th
Pass yds per game210.611th90th243.47th96th
Rush yds per game195.43rd20th164.312th100th
3rd down %41.1%9thT-63rd36.4%4th55th
Turnovers12T-9thT-90th9T-6thT-79th

* Cal has played three AP Top-25 teams this season. In those games, the Golden Bears are allowing 48.3 points, 491 total yards, 220 rushing yards and a third down conversion rate of 51.2%

Top 10

  1. 1

    Elko pokes at Kiffin

    A&M coach jokes over kick times

  2. 2

    Dan Lanning

    Oregon coach getting NFL buzz

  3. 3

    UK upsets Duke

    Mark Pope leads Kentucky to first Champions Classic win since 2019

    Trending
  4. 4

    5-star flip

    Ole Miss flips Alabama WR commit Caleb Cunningham

    Hot
  5. 5

    Second CFP Top 25

    Newest CFP rankings are out

View All

Top-5 Conference stats from players on Cal and USC

USC quarterback Caleb Williams

Passing yards – 5th (284.6 per game)
Passing touchdowns – 1st (23)
Rushing touchdowns – T-2nd (7)

USC running back MarShawn Lloyd

Rushing yards – 5th (81.4 per game)

USC wide receiver Brenden Rice

Receiving touchdowns – T-1st (8)

USC rush end Jamil Muhammad

Sacks – T-3rd (6)
Tackles for loss – T-2nd (10)

USC defensive end Solomon Byrd

Tackles for loss – T-5th (8.5)

Cal running back Jaydn Ott

Rushing yards – 1st (100.3)

Cal running back Isaiah Ifanse

Rushing touchdowns – T-2nd (7)

Cal linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr

Tackles – 1st (65)

Team notes

* USC has 54 plays this season of at least 20 yards from scrimmage. That ranks first in the Pac-12 and is second nationally behind only LSU.

* When Cal wins, Ott typically has a big game. He’s 6-12 in his career with the Golden Bears. In the six wins, he’s averaging 146.7 rushing yards and eight yards per carry. He’s scored eight touchdowns in those six games and in four of them, he’s rushed for 100 yards or more. In the 12 losses, he’s been held to an average of 51.6 yards and a 3.8 yards-per-carry average.

* Cal is in the middle of a run of four-straight games against ranked opponents. The Golden Bears haven’t posted a win against a ranked team since 2020. They beat No. 9 Oregon that year but are 0-3 against them this season and 0-7 since beating the Ducks.

* In Cal’s three wins, they’ve run for 269.7 yards per game. In the four losses, they’ve been held to 139.8 yards per game on the ground.

You may also like