Washington-USC game preview capsule

Thursday Pac-12 matchup

Washington (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12)

at No. 17 USC (3-1, 1-1), 9 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Line: USC by 16 1/2.

Series Record: USC leads 51-28-4.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Coach Steve Sarkisian faces the Huskies for the first time. Sarkisian led Washington for five solid years before leaving late in the 2013 season to return home to Southern California.

KEY MATCHUP

Washington CB Kevin King vs. USC QB Cody Kessler. King has three interceptions as a key contributor to the Huskies’ solid defense, which is giving up only 321 yards per game. Kessler is in the midst of his second straight outstanding season with 15 TD passes and one interception.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Washington: RB Dwayne Washington. The junior from nearby Lakewood, California, is the Huskies’ most reliable playmaker so far, leading them with 17 catches for 223 yards while sharing ball-carrying duties with Myles Gaskin.

USC: LB Su’a Cravens. The Trojans’ best defensive player is ready for a national television showcase after racking up 27 tackles, two sacks and an interception in the first four games.

FACTS & FIGURES

These schools haven’t played each other since 2012, thanks to Pac-12 expansion. … Thanks to television, USC is playing just the third Thursday non-holiday game at the Coliseum in school history. The Trojans have been playing at the Coliseum since 1923. … Washington is playing a regular-season game on a Thursday for just the third time since World War II. … The Huskies are playing their first road game since Sept. 4, 33 days ago. … Three of the Huskies’ starting offensive linemen, two starting receivers and the starting tailback are from the Los Angeles area. So are at least five projected defensive starters. … USC played its first-ever night game at the Coliseum against Washington in 1944.