If you are not familiar with the name Robert Woods, it will only be a matter of time until you are very, very aware of what this talented young man brings to the field.
Woods, a true-freshman receiver who has been starting opposite Ronald Johnson through USC's first three games of the season, registered the game-changing kickoff return against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday when the Trojans needed it most.
After Minnesota took a 14-13 lead on an Adam Weber 31-yard touchdown pass to Da'Jon McKnight with a little over five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Woods went the distance from his own three yard line, giving USC not only the lead, but a huge boost of confidence that propelled them to victory.
A week ago, Oregon Ducks Football Examiner Max Price chronicled a 72-yard touchdown run that tailback LaMichael James broke off against New Mexico, calling it “one of the best plays in the entire nation two weeks into the season.”
Well, if that is the case, it is safe to say that Woods' 97-yard return is one of the best plays in the entire nation three weeks into the season.
In three games thus far this season, Woods has proven to be an admirable target for quarterback Matt Barkley, catching three passes for 143 yards, but it is in the return game that he has truly made his mark, averaging 25.3 yards on 10 returns.