USC might still seek its identity after six games but one thing is already clear: The Trojans would be nowhere without tailback Javorius Allen.

The junior appears on his way to a second straight team most valuable player award and was named Pacific-12 Conference offensive player of the week after gaining 205 yards and scoring two touchdowns against Arizona. Allen ranks 11th nationally with 781 yards.

“I had no idea he’d be this good a receiver,” USC coach Steve Sarkisian said. “I believe he is the only player in the nation with 750 yards rushing and 250 receiving.”

Sarkisian challenged Allen two weeks ago to do a better job breaking tackles and the tailback said he heard his coach’s voice in his head during the Arizona game.

“I’m a guy who loves challenges and I’m not going to back down from it at all,” Allen said. “It’s something I thank him a lot for bringing to my attention and not letting me get by with that.”

Allen’s even more important than before the season because reserve Justin Davis is averaging a disappointing 3.8 yards per carry and Tre Madden might redshirt because of a turf toe injury that is taking longer than expected to heal.

“Good things come to those who wait,” Allen said. “My grandma always tells me that and I keep it in the back of my head.”

Arizona sore spot

Wide receiver Juju Smith was tripped up on a deep-pass play where no penalty was called. Smith was unhappy about the play after the game.

“I felt (the defensive back) did it on purpose,” Smith said.

New look for Cravens

Safety-linebacker Su’a Cravens is no longer sporting his trademark Mohawk haircut.

“I promised my mom I would cut it if we lost at home,” Cravens said.

That means Cravens is a Hail Mary pass away from keeping his Mohawk.

“I don’t think we were down from (the Hail Mary),” Cravens said. “It made us mad.”

Williams works OT

Defensive end Leonard Williams participated in 94 plays against Arizona, stopped a two-point conversion, forced a fumble inside the 10-yard line, sacked the quarterback twice and recorded eight tackles.

Schedule quirk

Colorado had a bye last weekend and every Pac-12 South team that faces the Trojans either has a bye or is coming off a midweek game.

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said he did not know why it happened.

“It has not ever come up,” Scott said. “I don’t know if that’s a fluky thing.”

Utah game time set

USC’s game at Utah on Oct. 25 will start at 7 p.m. PT and be televised on Fox Sports 1. It means four of USC’s first eight games are night games. Scott, who attended the Trojans’ victory over Arizona last weekend, said night games draw better ratings because there is less competition with no East Coast or Midwest games.

The conference staged one game at 11 a.m. PT so far this season in an effort to reduce night games following complaints from some Pac-12 schools.

“There’s been a desire to have less night games,” Scott said.

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