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All eyes on Dawson

After uneven first start, true freshman MLB faces big test in Washington

Updated: November 10, 2011, 11:00 AM ET
By Kyle Williams | We Are SC
LOS ANGELES -- After getting his first start last week against a struggling Colorado team, USC freshman middle linebacker Lamar Dawson is going to have to prove he's the man for the job against Washington's ground-and-pound running game.

After looking over the film, Dawson didn't have his best game as a Trojan last week against the Buffaloes. He found himself off position at times, missing assignments and tackles. Colorado's running back Rodney Stewart, who at 5-foot-6 and 175 pounds is one of the smaller backs the Trojans have faced this season, slipped out of more than one of Dawson's tackles, gaining big yards and keeping the Colorado offense on the field.

This week against the Huskies, the young middle linebacker will get the start again, but this time against a more physical back and an offensive coordinator who knows exactly how to attack this USC defense.

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Kyle Williams | email

Analyst, WeAreSC.com
  • USC Trojans analyst
  • Played offensive tackle at USC from 2002-06
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2011

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