USC's Darnold will test Penn State defense

PASADENA, Calif. - When Sam Darnold took over as the starting quarterback for Southern California in the fourth game of the 2016 season, he never gave a thought that he would remain in that role, or that he would lead the Trojans on a major turnaround.

At that time, in late September, his only thought came from a 31-27 loss to Utah.

"I wasn't really thinking about it, I was thinking more of just trying to get that win," Darnold said last week. "When we didn't, I was bummed out when we lost. I was more bummed out than thinking about the future. To be honest with you, I was just more thinking about that."

Darnold, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound redshirt freshman, started USC's next eight games and went undefeated, propelling the Trojans into Monday's Rose Bowl matchup against Penn State.

Darnold's reaction after the Utah loss is an example of what endears him to head coach Clay Helton.

"His humbleness and humility is very, very rare," Helton said. "I'll never forget him going out and throwing five touchdown passes in a game. I pulled him out of the game late and he comes over to me and says, 'Sorry Coach, I promise I can do better next time. I'll get things right.' He knew he made a couple mistakes. You usually don't see that from a kid. He's a true perfectionist."

Darnold has thrown 26 touchdown passes, including a pair of five TD games against Arizona and California. He is sixth in the nation in accuracy, having completed 68.1 percent of his passes. He has shown quickness in his release and his footwork, a reason why he has been sacked just five times in his nine contests.

He said his teammates' trust in him has increased, as has his confidence.

"I think we've done a great job of building trust," he said. "I think that's really a key to our success as the season has gone forward.

"I think I've definitely gotten a lot more confident in terms of being able to talk to guys. I think I've always had confidence in my game, when you talk about on-the-field performance, [to] make any throw that there is to be made. But I have a lot more confidence in terms of leading."

Darnold has helped lead USC to two important trophies this season - the Victory Bell for its win over archrival UCLA, and the Jeweled Shillelagh for defeating Notre Dame. A Rose Bowl trophy would be a sweet trifecta for the program. For now, though, the focus is on the Nittany Lions.

"I'm just really looking forward to playing such a great team, a great closing team like Penn State," he said. "What they're able to do in big games is really special. It will be interesting to see how they come out, how we come out, all the different momentum swings. It will be fun. I know I'm excited to get out there and play."