USC vs. Fresno State: How they match up in Las Vegas Bowl

USC returns to the Las Vegas Bowl for the first time since 2001 with hopes of defeating Fresno State and ending its tumultuous season with 10 victories. Staff writer Gary Klein examines the story lines:

Bakersfield boys

USC quarterback Cody Kessler and Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr both grew up in Bakersfield and are friends.

Kessler, a third-year sophomore, has passed for 2,623 yards and 16 touchdowns, with six passes intercepted.

Kessler goes against a Fresno State secondary led by safety Derron Smith, who has a team-best six interceptions.

BOWL TIMELINE: Matchups, schedule and picks

Carr, a fifth-year senior, has passed for a nation-leading 4,866 yards and 48 touchdowns, with seven intercepted passes, in the Bulldogs’ fast-paced offense.

Safety Dion Bailey has five interceptions for USC.

Receiving end

USC receiver Marqise Lee, who could be playing his final game for the Trojans, needs 12 catches to break Robert Woods’ career receptions record of 252.

Lee has 50 receptions, only two for touchdowns. Sophomore Nelson Agholor has 51 receptions, four for touchdowns.

Fresno State’s Davante Adams, Isaiah Bruce and Josh Harper each have at least 987 yards receiving. All have had 15-reception games.

Adams has a nation-leading 122 receptions and 23 touchdown catches.

Carrying on

Tailback Silas Redd is sidelined because of a knee injury and Tre Madden is also not expected to play because of a high ankle sprain.

So Javorius Allen and Ty Isaac will continue to carry the load for USC.

Allen, a third-year sophomore who was voted the team’s most valuable player, has rushed for 699 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. Isaac, a freshman, has averaged six yards a carry and scored twice.

Fullback Soma Vainuku also could play tailback.

Fresno State’s Josh Quezada has rushed for 787 yards and six touchdowns. He also has 48 receptions, one for a touchdown.

Lined up

Center Marcus Martin and guard Aundrey Walker suffered injuries against UCLA, so USC’s offensive line will include sixth-year senior Abe Markowitz at center and fifth-year senior John Martinez at right guard.

The line, which has given up 33 sacks, will try to hold off a Fresno State defense that has recorded 39, including eight in the Mountain West Conference championship game against Utah State.

USC’s defensive front, led by linebacker Devon Kennard and end Leonard Williams, has 33 sacks.

Fresno State has given up 11 sacks.

See you soon

USC is scheduled to play Fresno State on Aug. 30 at the Coliseum in the 2014 season opener.

New Trojans Coach Steve Sarkisian, who is not coaching the Trojans in the bowl game, went through the same scenario last year, when Washington lost to Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl and then defeated the Broncos in the 2013 season opener.

“Personnel is going to change on both teams, schemes are obviously going to change for us when we come into play,” Sarkisian said. “As much as you can take from the game, it’s going to be a new team, a new philosophy.

“Just seeing personnel is good for us, and depending on who wins and who loses and who has that extra motivation heading into the season.”

Vegas experience

USC fans do not have fond memories of the last time the Trojans played in the Las Vegas Bowl.

In 2001, USC was riding a four-game winning streak under first-year coach Pete Carroll before losing to Utah, 10-6. USC rushed for one yard.

Fresno State also lost to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. In 1999, the Utes defeated the Bulldogs, 17-16.

Fresno State has lost its last four bowl games.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein