defensive tackle Stevie Tuikolovatu is a Salt Lake City native who played all 13 games with the Utes last season before transfer

SALT LAKE CITY -- Things are looking a bit grim for USC.The Trojans are 1-2 and now they face No. 24 Utah on the road Friday. A loss to the Utes would make for the Trojans first 1/3 start since 2001. An 0-2 start to Pac-12 play would mean USC would likely need to go undefeated in its remaining conference games just to have a chance at a league title.And now coach Clay Helton is switching quarterbacks. Redshirt freshman Sam Darnold will make his first start for the Trojans, replacing Max Browne. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has played in all three games and thrown for 136 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and completed 63.6 percent of his passes. Darnold also provides a running threat.I would not have made the change if I wasnt confident in the decision, Helton said. What he has done on that stage versus Alabama showing the poise he did, versus Stanford showing the poise he did, the anticipation he has shown in his throws, his knowledge of the offense right now, he is making plays.Cornerback Adoree Jackson said Helton had one message this week.In life theres only two things, you can be the answer or the one that makes excuses, Jackson said. So, obviously, we got to be the answer.On the opposite sideline, theres a little revenge at stake for the Utes. Utah was ranked No. 3 in the country in 2015 when a loss to USC started a downward spiral that ended with the Utes playing in the Las Vegas Bowl after at one time being in the conversation for the College Football Playoff.Theyre probably the most talented 1-2 team in the country, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. Theyre dangerous. Were fully aware of that. We dont really pay any attention to record. We know what their capabilities are. Were not stressing that we owe them or anything like that. ... Wed like to create some momentum going into league play.Things to watch when Utah hosts USC:SACK LAKE CITY: The Utes racked up 10 sacks against San Jose State last week and are ranked No. 2 in the country with 15 sacks overall. Ten different players have recorded a sack this year. Hunter Dimick leads the team with three.BUTLER-BYRD BACK: Utah receiver Cory Butler-Byrd returned from a suspension last week and caught five passes for 66 yards. The 5-foot-10 speedster is immediately the Utes second-best threat in the passing game and a complement to the 6-5 Tim Patrick.Hes fast, he can go down the field and catch the deep ball, quarterback Troy Williams said. Hell take a bubble (screen) for 80 (yards) if you let him. He adds that dimension of another big playmaker out there.QUOTABLE: No team respects our passing game, Patrick said. The first three teams we played, they all pressed us and they were all lower-division teams. So what do you think the bigger-division teams are going to do? Press us just like everybody else did. So were just going to have to show them that we can pass it, and once we do that I promise you theyll start backing up.HOME AGAIN: USC defensive tackle Stevie Tuikolovatu is a Salt Lake City native who played all 13 games with the Utes last season before transferring. Hes started all three games with the Trojans.I dont know if the fans will like me, but I know my friends still do, Tuikolovatu said. I think it will be pretty cool. I probably have like 50 tickets already, so I will probably need more than that. That whole USC side will probably be my family.---AP college football site: http://collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter: www.twitter.com/KareemCopeland Detroit Tigers Store . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Tigers Jerseys China .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. https://www.cheaptigers.com/ .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Detroit Tigers Pro Shop . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Fake Tigers Jerseys . Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively. The Western Bulldogs have rolled the dice ahead of Thursday nights elimination final against West Coast, recalling five players for the do-or-die AFL clash.And the Eagles have been dealt a huge blow with speedster Lewis Jetta ruled out due to a calf injury.The Bulldogs have recalled Tom Liberatore (ankle), Easton Wood (ankle), Jordan Roughead (calf), and Jack Macrae (hamstring) from injury.And forward Jake Stringer has earned a recall following two solid hit-outs in the VFL.Recalling so many players from injury comes with risks.But assistant coach Steven King says their strong rehab programs means theyll be fit to fire against West Coast.ddddddddddddJetta was looming as an X-factor for West Coast during the finals.But his hopes of facing the Bulldogs were dashed earlier this week when he strained a calf at training.He has been replaced in the side by pinch-hitting ruckman Mitch Brown.West Coast have named Scott Lycett, despite the ruckmans ongoing battle with a left knee injury.The Eagles are hopeful Jetta will be able to return later in the finals series if they are still in the flag mix. 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