- USC is getting healthier. CB Adoree' Jackson, WR George Farmer and WR Ajene Harris all practiced. S Gerald Bowman and LB Hayes Pullard were limited to the exercise bike, but the prognosis is good for Saturday. FB Soma Vainuku was held out again.
- Head coach Steve Sarkisian has been preaching that every week is a championship game, but he knows this week is an easy sell. "It's worth the same, but it is an important one, and we understand the environment that we are heading into," he said.
- After a resounding win, the Trojans will wear the new helmets again in Utah. Sarkisian said it would be a "game-by-game" decision going forward.
- The Utes present the fiercest pass rush in the country, which will really test the young USC offensive line. "They're pretty stout up front," said OG Viane Talamaivao. "They get after the ball and they have good pass rushers up front. We're going to have to work really hard this week to make sure the pocket's clean for Cody [Kessler]."
- Sarkisian knows that he must keep his quarterback and offensive line out of predictable situations. "We need to be creative with our play calls to make sure we are taking care of our offensive line and putting them in positive positions to be successful," said the offensive play caller.
- The Trojans will be hard pressed to match the offensive production from last week when Kessler threw a remarkable seven touchdown passes, which felt more like a team accomplishment than an individual record. "Cody is an awesome teammate," said Sarkisian. "When his teammates and his peers see him having success like that, I think it is uplifting for everybody, especially when the ball gets distributed like it did."
- Steven Mitchell's first career TD catch was the record-setter for Kessler. "It felt really good," Mitchell said. "I'm in the books and I'm always going to be there now. That's a pretty good first touchdown."
- While the focus of the offense has been on the run game most of the season, the wide receivers enjoyed their breakout day. "It was good to show what we are made of. We are a talented WR corps and we knew we were capable of that," said Mitchell. "We just have to keep being physical and doing what we did on Saturday."
- In the run game, Justin Davis has raised his production level, but he has been guilty of fumbling the ball on second effort plays. Sarkisian is not concerned, but he is emphasizing to Davis that he needs to "raise his level of awareness" down the field when he is making guys miss or breaking tackles.
- Here is Sarkisian's post-practice press conference...
University Southern California Trojans
Utah Tuesday: Notes
October 01, 2014 | USC Ripsit Blog
Utah Tuesday: Notes
The Trojans ready for a potential Pac-12 South decider in Utah.
Tuesday, August 25
Tuesday, August 25
Monday, August 24
Thursday, August 20
