USC waited for kickoff by watching college football last Saturday

There was at least one benefit when USC kicked off at 8 p.m. PDT last Saturday against Arkansas State.

There was plenty of time for players and coaches to watch other college football games.

“When you play at eight o’clock, you get to see a lot of football,” USC Coach Steve Sarkisian said, chuckling. “I think the quality of play in college football is really good right now.”

Despite Stanford’s 16-6 loss to Northwestern, USC tailback Tre Madden said the Cardinal impressed him.

“Their defense was pretty physical,” Madden said. “I wasn’t paying attention to their offense, I’m an offensive player so I was looking at defense.”

USC opens Pac-12 Conference play against Stanford on Sept. 19 at the Coliseum.

Madden, who rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown in 12 carries against Arkansas State, also said Oregon’s Royce Freeman and Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott were among the tailbacks who stood out.

Freeman rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns in 21 carries in a 61-42 victory over Eastern Washington. Elliott rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown in 11 carries in a 42-24 victory over Virginia Tech.

USC plays Oregon on Nov. 21 in Eugene, Ore.

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