After a week off, the Trojans were reenergized and ready to go on Saturday in what would be a typical "Monday" practice as they prepare for their first Thursday game of the season against Cal.Â
- The break gave the injured players the rest they needed in order to get back out on the field. Su'a Cravens (knee) and Ajene Harris (hamstring) were completely back but Head Coach Steve Sarkisian is still hesitant about Harris' availability for Thursday. He said he will reevaluate his condition tomorrow. FB Soma Vainuku is still battling a nagging hamstring injury but he did participate in some limited drills on Saturday. OLB J.R. Tavai (knee) was the only active injured player who did not see any practice time. Â
- Sarkisian also spent the bye week recharging as he focused on getting ahead in preparation for Cal while also going on several important recruiting visits for USC's next and future classes.Â
- The Trojans are facing a much bigger threat offensively from Cal than Washington State especially when it comes to the running game. "We're not going to be able to sit back there in cover two and just play the game," said the head coach. "There are going to be times when we have to defend the box, defend the run and win one-on-one on the perimeter which is a challenge because Cal's receivers are very good."
- Though Cal's offense is run-heavy, Sarkisian is well aware of QB Jared Goff's talent saying that Cal is much more balanced than people may give them credit for which is what makes preparation so difficult.Â
- The Trojans will battle the Golden Bears on Thursday for the first time all season. Sarkisian said the hardest part about a game during the week is maintaining the "normalcy" of the preparation. The coaching staff treated what would be a regular college football Saturday like a Monday and will continue this schedule throughout the rest of the week in order to keep the same routine.Â
- Saturday was quite the active day for college football around the country but Sarkisian said he will only watch the games as a fan rather than focusing on what other teams in the PAC-12 South do this weekend. "For us moving forward as far as where we fall in the pecking order of the South, it's really about what we did out here and then what the film looks like that," he said. "That part is about us. I can't control what's going on in these other games."
- Here is Head Coach Steve Sarkisian after Saturday's practice...
