2016 USC Trojans football team

The 2016 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as part of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference. They were led by head coach Clay Helton in his first full season after replacing Steve Sarkisian in the sixth game of the 2015 season. They finished the season 10–3, 7–2 in Pac-12 play to finish in second place in the South Division. They were invited to the Rose Bowl where they defeated Big 10 conference champion Penn State.

Returning starters
USC returns 32 starters in 2016, including 17 on offense, 13 on defense, and two on special teams.

Key departures include Cody Kessler (QB – 14 games), Tre Madden (TB – 6 games), Jahleel Pinner (FB – 4 games), Max Tuerk (C – 5 games), Antwaun Woods (NT – 13 games), Delvon Simmons (DT – 14 games), Greg Townsend Jr. (DE – 13 games), Claude Pelon (DE – 2 games), Su'a Cravens (LB – 14 games), Scott Felix (LB – 10 games), Anthony Sarao (LB – 13 games), Lamar Dawson (LB – 1 game), Kevon Seymour (CB – 4 games), Alex Wood (K – 13 games), Kris Albarado (P – 14 games).

Other departures include Soma Vainuku (FB), Connor Spears (TE).

Depth chart
Official Depth Chart 2016

True Freshman

Double Position : *

Scholarship distribution chart
/ redshirt year eligible / * : Former walk-on

– 85 scholarships permitted, 79 currently allotted to players. (Note: Max Browne, E.J. Price, Noah Jefferson, Jabari Ruffin & Scott Felix is still "counts" for 2016, bringing the total to 84).

–.

– USC can sign 25 players in the class of 2017.

Alabama

 * (Q1, 12:33) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 47 yard Field Goal – USC 3–0
 * (Q2, 7:54) ALA – #13 ArDarius Stewart 39 yard pass from #2 Jalen Hurts (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 7–3
 * (Q2, 3:30) ALA – #99 Adam Griffith 29 yard Field Goal – ALA 10–3
 * (Q2, 2:48) ALA – #26 Marlon Humphrey 18 yard interception return (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 17–3
 * (Q3, 13:53) ALA – #13 ArDarius Stewart 71 yard pass from #2 Jalen Hurts (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 24–3
 * (Q3, 11:01) ALA – #2 Jalen Hurts 7 yard run, (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 31–3
 * (Q3, 6:00) ALA – #2 Jalen Hurts 6 yard run, (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 38–3
 * (Q3, 2:38) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 41 yard Field Goal – ALA 38–6
 * (Q4, 13:16) ALA – #9 Bo Scarbrough 6 yard run, (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 45–6
 * (Q4, 9:34) ALA – #14 Gehrig Dieter 45 yard pass from #8 Blake Barnett (#99 Adam Griffith kick) – ALA 52–6

Utah State

 * (Q1, 11:55) USC – #9 Juju Smith-Schuster 3 yard pass from #4 Max Browne, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 7–0
 * (Q2, 8:08) USC – #80 Deontay Burnett 13 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 14–0
 * (Q2, 0:24) USC – #7 Steven Mitchell Jr. 2 yard pass from #4 Max Browne, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 21–0
 * (Q3, 6:43) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 20 yard Field Goal – USC 24–0
 * (Q3, 4:06) USC – #2 Adoree' Jackson 77 yard punt return (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 31–0
 * (Q3, 0:01) UTS – #83 Wyatt Houston 6 yard pass from #2 Kent Myers, (#63 Brock Warren kick) – USC 31–7
 * (Q4, 9:50) USC – #9 Juju Smith-Schuster 15 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 38–7
 * (Q4, 2:48) USC – #28 Aca'Cedric Ware 2 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 45–7

Stanford

 * (Q1, 4:30) STA – #5 Christian McCaffrey 56 yard pass from #17 Ryan Burns, (#34 Conrad Ukropina kick) – STA 7–0
 * (Q1, 0:31) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 47 yard Field Goal – STA 7–3
 * (Q2, 9:34) STA – #34 Conrad Ukropina 31 yard Field Goal – STA 10–3
 * (Q2, 2:14) STA – #5 Christian McCaffrey 1 yard run – STA 17–3
 * (Q3, 11:35) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 1 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – STA 17–10
 * (Q3, 5:46) STA – #34 Conrad Ukropina 42 yard Field Goal – STA 20–10
 * (Q3, 3:37) STA – #3 Michael Rector 56 yard run, (#34 Conrad Ukropina kick) – STA 27–10

Utah

 * (Q1, 7:26) UTA – #3 Troy Williams 10 yard run, (#39 Andy Phillips kick) – UTA 7–0
 * (Q1, 7:19) USC – #2 Adoree' Jackson 100 yard kick return (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 7–7
 * (Q2, 6:48) UTA – #39 Andy Phillips 36 yard Field Goal – UTA 10–7
 * (Q2, 4:48) USC – #22 Justin Davis 14 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 14–10
 * (Q2, 0:40) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 32 yard Field Goal – USC 17–10
 * (Q3, 9:54) USC – #14 Sam Darnold 8 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 24–10
 * (Q3, 5:02) UTA – #54 Isaac Asiata recovered fumble, (#39 Andy Phillips kick) – USC 24–17
 * (Q4, 15:00) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 43 yard Field Goal – USC 27–17
 * (Q4, 9:54) UTA – #11 Raelon Singleton 11 yard pass from #3 Troy Williams, (#39 Andy Phillips kick) – USC 27–24
 * (Q4, 0:16) UTA – #12 Tim Patrick 11 yard pass from #3 Troy Williams, (#39 Andy Phillips kick) – UTA 31–27

Arizona State

 * (Q1, 10:00) ASU – #5 Zane Gonzalez 40 yard Field Goal – ASU 3–0
 * (Q1, 4:38) USC – #9 Juju Smith-Schuster 5 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 7–3
 * (Q1, 0:45) ASU – #5 Zane Gonzalez 34 yard Field Goal – USC 7–6
 * (Q2, 10:03) USC – #9 Juju Smith-Schuster 3 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 14–6
 * (Q2, 4:45) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 49 yard Field Goal – USC 17–6
 * (Q2, 2:41) USC – #22 Justin Davis 37 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 24–6
 * (Q2, 0:25) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 46 yard Field Goal – USC 27–6
 * (Q3, 11:27) USC – #9 Juju Smith-Schuster 67 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 34–6
 * (Q3, 8:27) USC – #14 Sam Darnold 3 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 41–6
 * (Q4, 8:45) ASU – #80 Raymond Epps 13 yard pass from #2 Brady White, (#5 Zane Gonzalez kick) – USC 41–13
 * (Q4, 2:00) ASU – #22 Nick Ralston 10 yard run, (#5 Zane Gonzalez kick) – USC 41–20

Colorado

 * (Q1, 3:38) USC – #88 Daniel Imatorbhebhe 32 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 7–0
 * (Q2, 3:54) USC – #82 Tyler Petite 11 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 14–0
 * (Q3, 11:34) COL – #23 Phillip Lindsay 67 yard pass from #4 Bryce Bobo, (#49 Davis Price kick) – USC 14–7
 * (Q4, 10:26) COL – #4 Bryce Bobo 12 yard pass from #12 Steven Montez, (#49 Davis Price kick) – USC 14–14
 * (Q4, 8:34) USC – #82 Tyler Petite 8 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 21–14
 * (Q4, 4:55) COL – #49 Davis Price 42 yard Field Goal – USC 21–17

Arizona

 * (Q1, 10:34) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 5 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 7–0
 * (Q1, 5:44) ARI – #14 Khalil Tate 3 yard run, (#30 Josh Pollack kick) – USC 7–7
 * (Q1, 0:13) USC – #80 Deontay Burnett 11 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 14–7
 * (Q2, 13:50) USC – #88 Daniel Imatorbhebhe 32 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 21–7
 * (Q2, 4:14) USC – #9 Juju Smith-Schuster 3 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold – USC 27–7
 * (Q2, 0:34) USC – #9 Juju Smith-Schuster 39 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 34–7
 * (Q3, 10:37) USC – #9 Juju Smith-Schuster 46 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 41–7
 * (Q4, 13:16) ARI – #10 Samajie Grant 7 yard pass from #15 Matt Morin, (#30 Josh Pollack kick) – USC 41–14
 * (Q4, 11:38) USC – #28 Aca'Cedric Ware 21 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 48–7

California

 * (Q1, 10:00) USC – #1 Darreus Rogers 3 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 7–0
 * (Q1, 4:34) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 16 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 14–0
 * (Q2, 12:13) USC – #80 Deontay Burnett 13 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 21–0
 * (Q2, 08:04) CAL – #5 Tre Watson 22 yard pass from #7 Davis Webb, (#9 Matt Anderson kick) – USC 21–7
 * (Q2, 1:54) CAL – #9 Matt Anderson 27 yard Field Goal – USC 21–10
 * (Q2, 0:35) USC – #1 Darreus Rogers 20 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 28–10
 * (Q3, 9:25) CAL – #7 Davis Webb 1 yard run, (#9 Matt Anderson kick) – USC 28–17
 * (Q3, 7:10) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 37 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 35–17
 * (Q3, 1:18) USC – #88 Daniel Imatorbhebhe 17 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 42–17
 * (Q4, 13:22) CAL – #1 Melquise Stovall 16 yard pass from #7 Davis Webb, (#9 Matt Anderson kick) – USC 42–24
 * (Q4, 2:42) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 32 yard Field Goal – USC 45–24

Oregon

 * (Q1, 12:18) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 35 yard Field Goal – USC 3–0
 * (Q1, 8:37) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 23 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 10–0
 * (Q1, 5:25) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 3 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 17–0
 * (Q1, 0:15) ORE – #6 Charles Nelson 25 yard run – USC 17–6
 * (Q2, 0:30) USC – #80 Deontay Burnett 3 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 24–6
 * (Q3, 13:51) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 66 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 31–6
 * (Q3, 9:57) ORE – #85 Pharaoh Brown 5 yard pass from #10 Justin Herbert, (#41 Aidan Schneider kick) – USC 31–13
 * (Q3, 2:47) USC – #48 Taylor McNamara 8 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 38–13
 * (Q4, 11:42) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 1 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 45–13
 * (Q4, 5:41) ORE – #9 Dakota Prukop 15 yard run, (#41 Aidan Schneider kick) – USC 45–20

Washington

 * (Q1, 4:03) WASH – #48 Cameron Van Winkle 43 yard Field Goal – WASH 3–0
 * (Q1, 0:46) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 38 yard Field Goal – USC 3–3
 * (Q2, 9:00) USC – #1 Darreus Rogers 13 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 10–3
 * (Q2, 2:39) WASH – #48 Cameron Van Winkle 39 yard Field Goal – USC 10–6
 * (Q2, 0:34) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 4 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 17–6
 * (Q3, 8:33) USC – #1 John Ross 70 yard pass from #3 Jake Browning, (#48 Cameron Van Winkle kick) – USC 17–13
 * (Q4, 13:39) USC – #88 Daniel Imatorbhebhe 8 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 24–13
 * (Q4, 0:58) USC – Team Safety – USC 26–13

UCLA

 * (Q1, 13:41) UCLA – #2 Jordan Lasley 56 yard pass from #12 Mike Fafaul, (#17 JJ Molson kick) – UCLA 7–0
 * (Q1, 9:54) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 1 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 7–7
 * (Q2, 13:34) UCLA – #2 Jordan Lasley 7 yard pass from #12 Mike Fafaul, (#17 JJ Molson kick) – UCLA 14–7
 * (Q2, 11:19) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 60 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 14–14
 * (Q2, 8:18) USC – #13 De'Quan Hampton 31 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold – USC 20–14
 * (Q2, 0:12) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 30 yard Field Goal – USC 23–14
 * (Q3, 10:01) USC – #13 De'Quan Hampton 6 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 30–14
 * (Q4, 13:38) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 32 yard Field Goal – USC 33–14
 * (Q4, 7:01) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 25 yard Field Goal – USC 36–14

Notre Dame

 * (Q1, 10:22) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 37 yard Field Goal USC 3–0
 * (Q1, 9:51) ND – #14 DeShone Kizer 1 Yd Run (Justin Yoon Kick) ND 7–3
 * (Q1, 7:08) USC – #25 Ronald Jones II 51 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) USC 10–7
 * (Q2, 1:24) USC – #2 Adoree' Jackson 55 Yd Punt Return (Matt Boermeester Kick) USC 17–7
 * (Q2, 1:07) USC – #27 Ajene Harris 33 Yd Interception Return (Matt Boermeester Kick) USC 24–7
 * (Q3, 10:08) ND – #10 Chris Finke 14 Yd pass from DeShone Kizer (Justin Yoon Kick) USC 24–14
 * (Q3, 7:41) USC – #2 Adoree' Jackson 52 Yd pass from Sam Darnold (Matt Boermeester Kick) USC 31–14
 * (Q3, 1:41) ND – #29 Kevin Stepherson 29 Yd pass from DeShone Kizer (Justin Yoon Kick) USC 31–21
 * (Q3, 0:47) USC – #2 Adoree' Jackson 97 Yd Kickoff Return (Matt Boermeester Kick) USC 38–21
 * (Q4, 9:40) USC – #9 Juju Smith-Schuster 2 Yd pass from Sam Darnold (Matt Boermeester Kick) USC 45–21
 * (Q4, 1:02) ND – #6 Equanimeous St. Brown 15 Yd pass from Malik Zaire (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed) USC 45–27

Penn State (Rose Bowl)

 * (Q1, 10:39) USC – #80 Deontay Burnett 26 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 7–0
 * (Q1, 4:46) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 22 yard Field Goal – USC 10–0
 * (Q1, 9:26) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 44 yard Field Goal – USC 13–0
 * (Q2, 11:50) PSU – #26 Saquon Barkley 24 yard run, (#95 Tyler Davis kick) – USC 13–7
 * (Q2, 10:15) USC – #80 Deontay Burnett 3 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 20–7
 * (Q2, 8:49) PSU – #12 Chris Godwin 30 yard pass from #9 Trace McSorley, (#95 Tyler Davis kick) – USC 20–14
 * (Q2, 6:20) USC – #1 Darreus Rogers 3 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 27–14
 * (Q2, 1:00) PSU – #88 Mike Gesicki 11 yard pass from #9 Trace McSorley, (#95 Tyler Davis kick) – USC 27–21
 * (Q3, 13:22) PSU – #26 Saquon Barkley 79 yard run, (#95 Tyler Davis kick) – PSU 28–27
 * (Q3, 11:38) PSU – #12 Chris Godwin 72 yard pass from #9 Trace McSorley, (#95 Tyler Davis kick) – PSU 35–27
 * (Q3, 10:31) PSU – #9 Trace McSorley 3 yard run, (#95 Tyler Davis kick) – PSU 42–27
 * (Q3, 6:54) USC – #9 Juju Smith-Schuster 13 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (2pts Good) – PSU 42–35
 * (Q3, 2:00) PSU – #26 Saquon Barkley 7 yard pass from #9 Trace McSorley, (#95 Tyler Davis kick) – PSU 49–35
 * (Q4, 8:19) USC – #4 Ronald Jones II 3 yard run, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – PSU 49–42
 * (Q4, 1:27) USC – #80 Deontay Burnett 27 yard pass from #14 Sam Darnold, (#39 Matt Boermeester kick) – USC 49–49
 * (Q4, 0:00) USC – #39 Matt Boermeester 46 yard Field Goal – USC 52–49

Team
As of November 20, 2016.

Non-conference opponents

Pac-12 opponents

Defense
Key: POS: Position, SOLO: Solo Tackles, AST: Assisted Tackles, TOT: Total Tackles, TFL: Tackles-for-loss, SACK: Quarterback Sacks, INT: Interceptions, BU: Passes Broken Up, PD: Passes Defended, QBH: Quarterback Hits, FR: Fumbles Recovered, FF: Forced Fumbles, BLK: Kicks or Punts Blocked, SAF: Safeties, TD : Touchdown

Coaches
Clay Helton – Head Coach
 * Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (Coach of the Year) : Finalist
 * FWAA First Year Coach of Year

Offense
Sam Darnold – QB – Freshman
 * Archie Griffin Award (most valuable player) : Winner
 * Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year
 * Manning Award (quarterback) : Finalist
 * Davey O'Brien Award (quarterback) : Semi-Finalist

Juju Smith-Schuster – WR – Junior
 * POLY POY (Polynesian College Football Player of the Year) : Finalist

Defense
Adoree' Jackson – CB – Junior
 * Jim Thorpe Award (defensive back) : Winner
 * Pac-12 Defensive Player of The Year
 * Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player) : Finalist

College Sports Madness All-American Team
Zach Banner – OT – Senior (164th)
 * First Team

Adoree' Jackson – CB – Junior (165th)

Adoree' Jackson – KR & PR – Junior
 * Third Team

All-Pac-12 Individual Awards
Sam Darnold – QB – Freshman
 * Offensive Freshman of the Year

Adoree' Jackson – CB – Junior
 * Defensive Player of the Year

PAC-12 All-Conference Team
Zach Banner – OT – Senior
 * First Team

Chad Wheeler – OT – Senior

Adoree' Jackson – CB & PR – Junior

Ronald Jones II – TB – Sophomore
 * Second Team

Juju Smith-Schuster – WR – Junior

Damien Mama – OG – Junior

Stevie Tu'ikolovatu – DT – Senior

Cameron Smith – ILB – Sophomore

Sam Darnold – QB – Freshman
 * Honorable Mention

Darreus Rogers – WR – Senior

Daniel Imatorbhebhe – TE – Freshman

Rasheem Green – DT – Sophomore

Porter Gustin – DE – Sophomore

Michael Hutchings – ILB – Senior

Iman Marshall – CB – Sophomore

Chris Hawkins – S – Junior

Leon McQuay III – S – Senior

PAC-12 All-Freshman Team
Sam Darnold – QB – Freshman
 * First Team

Daniel Imatorbhebhe – TE – Freshman

PAC-12 All-Academic Team
Sam Darnold – QB – Freshman
 * Honorable Mention

Max Browne – QB – Junior

Matt Boermeester – K – Junior

Chris Tilbey – P – Sophomore

USA Today Sports Freshman All-America Team
Adoree' Jackson – RET – Junior
 * Second Team

FWAA Freshman All-America Team
Sam Darnold – QB – Freshman