Kedon Slovis had a dream debut in his first start under center for the USC Trojans on Saturday night. Slovis set a program record for a true freshman by throwing for 377 yards in leading the Trojans to a blowout win over the Stanford Cardinal. The victory has doused cold water on Clay Helton’s hot seat and has USC fans thinking of greatness once again.
Congratulations to USC QB @KedonSlovis on breaking the school record for most yards by a true freshman in his USC debut! #FightOn pic.twitter.com/Rk0XfA2mdB
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) September 8, 2019
Slovis received his first career start as a result of JT Daniels going down with a season-ending injury in USC’s season opener. Slovis wasn’t great in relief of Daniels last week, completing six of eight passes for 57 yards with one interception, but a week of preparation as the No. 1 guy was all the freshman needed to thrive.
Slovis showed just what USC fans had been wanting to see in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell’s new offense. Harrell was hired by Helton in the offseason to give the offense a jolt, and the former Air Raid standout quarterback brought that system to the Coliseum. The returns through two games have been very promising.
Games with 350+ pass yds, 3+ pass TD, 0 interceptions vs AP-ranked opponent
Kedon Slovis: 1
Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Sam Darnold combined: 0
— Jason Starrett (@starrettjason) September 8, 2019
Stanford had knocked off USC in eight of the last 12 meetings between these two schools, but Slovis led the Trojans to the school’s biggest win over the Cardinal since 2006. The freshman went 28-33 for 377 yards and tossed three touchdowns in a nearly perfect debut. USC won 45-20, and the Trojans are now ranked in the AP Top 25 following the victory.
Slovis will really be tested over the next three weeks. USC travels to take on BYU next Saturday before playing two of the best teams in the Pac 12 in consecutive weeks. The Trojans will host Utah on Friday, September 20, and then head to Washington to take on the Huskies on Saturday, September 20. Both programs are ranked, so a 5-0 start would likely see USC surge into the top ten.
H/T ESPN
