USC notes: Adoree’ Jackson makes a 100-yard kickoff return

USC’s Adoree’ Jackson, who had been on the verge of breaking off a long kickoff return, finally did it Saturday night.

Jackson returned a second-quarter kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown that helped give No. 20 USC a 14-10 halftime lead over No. 19 Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

It was Jackson’s second touchdown of the season. The freshman caught a touchdown pass in the opener against Fresno State.

Utah had taken a 10-7 lead on a field goal, but Jackson caught the ensuing kickoff about eight yards deep in the end zone and then eluded tacklers while dashing down the right sideline to the end zone.

Jackson had aggravated a hip-flexor injury on the opening kickoff of last week’s game against Colorado. He played eight plays on defense before leaving the game.

Jackson started at cornerback against Utah.

Milestone for Allen

USC tailback Javorius Allen rushed for 101 yards, giving him 1,010 this season and making him USC’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Curtis McNeal, who rushed for 1,005 yards in 2011.

Joe McKnight rushed for 1,014 yards in 2009.

Allen, McNeal and McKnight are the only 1,000-yard rushers since 2005, when Reggie Bush totaled 1,740 yards and LenDale White 1,302.

Wheeler injured

USC tackle Chad Wheeler suffered an apparent leg injury during the first quarter and left the game.

Wheeler, a third-year sophomore who has started every game since last season, was injured on a second-and-goal pass play from the seven-yard line.

Senior Aundrey Walker replaced Wheeler.

Rogers recovers

Receiver Darreus Rogers had a rough start.

A pass to the sophomore behind the line of scrimmage bounced off his upper body and he, like most of the players on the field, thought it was an incomplete pass.

But officials did not whistle the play dead and Utah cornerback Davion Orphey picked up the ball and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Rogers came back and caught a third-down pass for 16 yards.

Browne plays

USC quarterback Max Browne got his first meaningful action in the first quarter when Cody Kessler left the game briefly because of an apparent rib injury.

Kessler had been hit by defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei after a pass attempt.

Browne, a third-year sophomore, came in with 11:23 left in the first quarter and the Trojans facing first and goal from the seven.

Coach Steve Sarkisian did not play it safe.

Browne attempted a pass to the back of the end zone to tight end Bryce Dixon, but the ball was batted away.

Kessler returned the next play.

Tavai comes through

Linebacker J.R. Tavai came up with two big plays for the Trojans in the first half.

The score was tied, 7-7, in the first quarter and Utah had a third-and-goal at the one.

Utah running back Devontae Booker took a handoff but he was hit by Tavai, who forced a fumble that was recovered by safety Leon McQuay III.

In the second quarter, Tavai sacked Utah quarterback Travis Wilson on third down to force a punt.

Heidari returns

Kicker Andre Heidari returned from a groin injury that sidelined him the last two games.

Heidari kicked two extra points in the first half but did not attempt a field goal.

Walk-on Alex Wood continued to handle kickoffs.

Stayed home

USC safety Gerald Bowman, receiver George Farmer and fullback Soma Vainuku did not make the trip because of injuries.

Bowman suffered a foot injury last week against Colorado on a play in which he broke up a pass. The ball was tipped to cornerback Kevon Seymour for an interception. Bowman said after the game that he suffered the injury when he made a break toward the ball. Bowman, a senior, is the Trojans’ third-leading tackler.

Farmer, a junior, did not play against Colorado after suffering the hamstring injury during practice. He participated in workouts this week but was not able to perform at full speed.

Farmer has 13 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Vainuku, a junior, also did not play against Colorado because of a hamstring injury suffered against Arizona.

Vainuku has only six carries, but he is an invaluable special teams performer.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein