USC needs Adoree Jackson, Sam Darnold to spark offense

USC’s season is three games old but the fans are irate after blowout losses to Alabama and Stanford.

Even worse, four of the past six losses were by at least 17 points, which last happened in 1983. Something must be done to stop the current slide, but so far the program has demonstrated a resistance to quick solutions even as morale sinks.

“The mood right now? It (stinks),” USC quarterback Sam Darnold said. “We don’t want to lose.”

Can anything change at the glacial pace things move right now?

USC’s offensive line committed five false-start penalties against Stanford because players said a Cardinal lineman was mimicking quarterback Max Browne’s signals.

But why did USC wait until halftime to switch to visual signals? That adjustment could be made during a timeout. Instead, the Trojans hindered first-half drives with constant penalties.

“At times we were just stabbing ourselves in the foot,” Browne said.

At least that change was instituted. Other necessary moves are coming grudgingly, especially on offense.

USC coach Clay Helton finally conceded Sunday night Adoree Jackson needs to play offense at least four to six plays per game.

It was painfully obvious after the first three games that USC’s offense lacks dynamic plays. All-American wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is being double-teamed and no one else fills the void.

Jackson requires a defense to immediately account for him and takes pressure off Smith-Schuster. During training camp, USC’s offense lacked punch but Helton said he wanted Jackson to focus on defense.

Jackson has played great at cornerback, so it paid off defensively. But the offense is desperate for a playmaker and he needs to make a limited appearance.

It might not be such a big deal if Smith-Schuster had more than 11 catches the first three games. Helton said the offense’s philosophy is to throw to open players, not just the star player. But the team suffers when the star doesn’t get enough touches.

Lane Kiffin might have been a lousy head coach, but he made sure to get star players like Marqise Lee enough touches.

“That just falls on us and the quarterbacks going through reads,” Darnold said. “To balance that is a struggle sometimes.”

The other way to make the offense explosive is playing Darnold more. Or starting him.

It’s obvious his arm strength allows passes that are otherwise never going to happen. He can put a defense on its heels. Browne is accurate but his passes tend to float. It is hard for him to stretch a defense.

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Helton has demonstrated loyalty by starting Browne, but it’s time for a change before the season is basically over.

Browne is not the reason USC is 1-2, but Helton needs to shake up the system. If there even is a system.

The Trojans have no identity. Do they run well? Can they move quickly down field? USC is supposed to be a star-laden team, but its offense plods up and down the field.

It is somewhat surprising Helton has been slow to react because he coached nine games last season after Steve Sarkisian was fired. Former USC assistant coaches said Helton took charge last season when arguments erupted on the headsets during games. He forced then-defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox to be more aggressive with man-to-man secondary coverages.

Helton also took over in the third quarter against Alabama with the offense struggling. But making big decisions takes time this season.

Although he often likes to go for it on fourth down, Helton stunned the media and fans when he punted on fourth-and-6 from the Stanford 44-yard line with 9:12 remaining and USC trailing by 17 points.

Helton said Sunday night he knew the Trojans would have limited possessions because of Stanford’s ball-control offense.

So he made a mistake punting then?

“If I had to do it over again,” Helton said. “I would’ve made the same decision.”

The defense has its own decision-making questions. Helton constantly praises defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, but in the two losses, USC players blew assignments and allowed uncovered players to score touchdowns.

Things are expected to get better this week, mainly because Utah is considered a lesser opponent. But the Trojans are reeling after the 27-10 loss to Stanford.

“It’s pretty frustrating,” safety Chris Hawkins said. “Knowing Stanford is probably the top team in the Pac-12. It just shows we need more work.”

And quicker decisions from sideline.