USC vs. California: Key matchups and story lines for Saturday’s game at Cal

USC will be trying to build on the momentum of its victory over previously unbeaten Utah when the Trojans play California, which is also 2-2 in the Pac-12 Conference. Staff writer Gary Klein examines the matchups and story lines:

Halloween haunt

This is USC’s first Oct. 31 game since 2009, and the Trojans should be thankful it’s a noon kickoff instead of at 5 p.m. or later.

Six years ago at Autzen Stadium, Oregon routed USC, 47-20, on Halloween night, sending the Trojans staggering to an 8-4 regular-season finish.

USC is 6-6 in games played on Oct. 31.

Streaking

USC has not lost to California since 2003, when the Golden Bears defeated the Trojans, 34-31, in triple overtime at Memorial Stadium.

The next week, the Trojans started a 34-game winning streak that did not end until January 2006 against Texas in the Bowl Championship Series title game.

With Aaron Rodgers at the controls as the starting quarterback, Cal came close to knocking off the Trojans in 2004, but USC waged a dramatic defensive stand to win, 23-17, at the Coliseum.

Since then, the Golden Bears have come within seven points only once.

On the run

Most of the attention going into the game will be focused on quarterbacks Jared Goff of Cal and Cody Kessler of USC. But both teams feature productive running attacks.

Despite playing as a reserve, freshman Ronald Jones II leads USC with 453 yards and has averaged 7.7 yards per carry.

Jones could have an expanded role for the second consecutive game if senior Tre Madden is limited because of a knee injury. Justin Davis rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown in last week’s victory over Utah.

Cal’s Khalfani Muhammad, who played at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High, has averaged 61.3 yards per game, Vic Enwere 44.3. Enwere has rushed for five touchdowns.

Receiving corps

USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has averaged 128.7 yards receiving per game, which ranks fifth nationally. His 901 yards rank sixth and he is tied for 20th with 6.7 receptions per game.

Smith-Schuster caught eight passes for 134 yards and a touchdown last week against Utah. His 47 receptions include eight for touchdowns.

Cal’s Kenny Lawler has 39 receptions, nine for touchdowns. Lawler ranks second in the Pac-12 and is tied for eighth nationally in touchdown catches.

Lawler is one of four Cal receivers with 20 or more catches: Stephen Anderson, a tight end, has 28, Darius Powe 24 and Bryce Treggs 20.

Treggs has at least one catch in his last 33 games and Lawler has at least one in each of the 30 games he has played for Cal.

Picked to win

USC linebacker Cameron Smith intercepted three passes against Utah to vault into the team lead. Linebacker Su’a Cravens has two of the Trojans’ eight interceptions.

The Golden Bears have forced a nation-leading 22 turnovers, including a conference-best 12 interceptions.

Linebacker Devante Downs, cornerback Darius White and safety Damariay Drew each have two.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein