USC is looking for redemption at the Coliseum against Oregon State

It’s been less than a month since USC kicked off its season with a victory over Fresno State at the Coliseum that featured just about everything Coach Steve Sarkisian promised when he was hired:

A multifaceted offense that operated at a fast pace and established a Pac-12 record for plays. A defense that created turnovers and neutralized opponents.

Much has changed since the opener.

The Trojans barely escaped Stanford with a victory and experienced a major letdown in an upset defeat at Boston College.

Two weeks later, Sarkisian and the Trojans cannot wait to play at home again Saturday night against Oregon State.

“It seems like a long time ago since the Fresno game,” Sarkisian said.

It’s been more than five decades since Oregon State defeated USC at the Coliseum.

If the 3-0 Beavers upset the Trojans for their first victory here since 1960, Sarkisian could face derision similar to what USC fans showered upon former coach Lane Kiffin after last season’s home loss to Washington State.

USC is coming off a 37-31 defeat at Boston College, a loss that dropped the Trojans from No. 9 to No. 18 in the Associated Press media poll and erased the optimism created by the victory over Stanford.

The Trojans quickly went from being mentioned as a potential College Football Playoff participant to a team too immature to handle the limelight.

“Guys are really excited to get back on the field and kind of redeem ourselves,” said quarterback Cody Kessler.

Kessler has played virtually mistake-free. But in its last two games, USC’s offense has looked nothing like the unit that amassed 701 yards in the 52-13 victory over Fresno State.

That game featured Kessler throwing to 10 receivers, with players such as sophomore Darreus Rogers and freshman JuJu Smith playing major roles.

USC produced only 291 yards and was outgained by Stanford in a 13-10 victory at Palo Alto, a game that Stanford gave away by making multiple mistakes.

The Trojans gained 337 yards against Boston College but were limited to only 20 net yards rushing.

The pace also has slowed.

USC is averaging 78 plays — near Sarkisian’s stated goal of about 80, but a number skewed by the record 105 plays USC ran in the opener.

USC ran only 59 plays against Stanford and 70 against Boston College.

“We want to have those long drives like we had in the first game,” Kessler said.

USC’s defense also must recover from the Sept. 13 debacle at Boston College.

The Trojans gave up 452 rushing yards and allowed numerous big plays.

Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox accepted blame and said the Trojans made improvements during bye-week practices.

USC players are eager to show they put the game at Boston College behind.

“We’ve still got that little chip on our shoulder,” freshman cornerback Adoree’ Jackson said, “because people don’t think we’ve got it.”

Oregon State has defeated Portland State, Hawaii and San Diego State, which have a combined record of 3-8.

Boston College ran through USC with a run-heavy, read-option offense that appeared to confound the Trojans.

Oregon State presents a different challenge.

The Beavers feature quarterback Sean Mannion, a senior who is third on the Pac-12’s career passing yardage list, and running backs Terron Ward and Storm Woods.

Early this week, Mannion said he was not aware of the Beavers’ history at the Coliseum, where they have lost 22 consecutive games.

Oregon State Coach Mike Riley later told reporters that he addressed the long drought with players.

“I told our team… ‘This is our team, this year. You don’t have to bear the burden of all that history,’” Riley said.

If the Trojans do not bounce back with a good performance, Sarkisian will.