Kessler, Heidari named Pac-12 Players of the Week

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Cody Kessler and junior kicker Andre Heidari were named the Pac-12’s Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, on Monday following their impressive performances in USC’s 20-17 upset victory over Stanford.

Heidari connected on a 47-yard field goal with 19 seconds remaining to clinch USC’s win. Prior to Saturday’s game, the Bakersfield, Calif. native had come under scrutiny after missing several field goals in USC losses this season, but Heidari was able to redeem himself against Stanford.

Interim head coach Ed Orgeron surprisingly decided to play for the field goal late in the game and showed an unexpected amount of trust for his struggling kicker by sending him onto the field in the biggest game of the year for the Trojans.

Heidari also made a short field goal that gave the Trojans a 10-point lead in the second quarter.

Kessler was 25-for-37 for 288 yards and a touchdown on Saturday. He controlled the offense from start to finish, and was able to keep his composure in the face of the mounting Stanford pressure from their vaunted front seven.

On the season, Kessler has now thrown for 2,265 yards with 13 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. His completion percentage of 64.7 percent is the fourth-best in the Pac-12.

Redshirt junior safety Dion Bailey was also nominated for defensive player of the week. Bailey had a critical interception in the fourth quarter after Stanford had advanced the ball to the USC 10-yard line. Bailey picked off Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan’s pass and returned it to the USC 34-yard line. It was Bailey’s fourth interception of the season, tying him for the team lead with freshman safety Su’a Cravens.

The Trojans continue play this weekend against the Colorado Buffaloes, and are still in contention for the Pac-12 South title.

 

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