- Interim head coach Clay Helton credited Woods with starting the parade of hard-working, superstar wide receivers at USC. "He is an example of what a Trojan is," Helton said about Woods and his work habits. "He's a true professional."
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USC is getting healthier with the return of LT Chad Wheeler. TE Taylor McNamara practiced in a non-contact jersey, while TE Tyler Petite's foot was too sore to go. Wide receivers Darreus Rogers and Steven Mitchell Jr. were able to run some routes. - Helton believes in an "open door policy," opening himself to their ideas. For example, QB Cody Kessler suggested that the Trojans put their defense on the field Saturday after winning the coin toss, so they could make a statement about physicality.
- Third-string center Khaliel Rodgers has been propped up as the "next man up" example, but Helton also called out WR De'Quan Hampton who made the most of his one big chance, reeling in a 29-yard catch to setup the go ahead touchdown. "De'Quan wants to do everything right," said WR coach Tee Martin. "He hates when he's not doing it right and that's what you want."
- Like Hampton, Rodgers was ready for his moment. "When you prepare like we do, you don't have any doubts," said the new starting center. "You just prepare so hard and we execute everything on the field in practice so you expect to be perfect in the game."
- The patchwork offensive line, missing three starters, performed admirably and now has to gel together. "When you're not playing with Chad Wheeler, Max Tuerk, and Toa Lobendahn, and you go in with that group...I'm very very proud of their efforts," said OL coach Bob Connelly. "I can't say it's their best because that's the first time I've been out three starters and played with our third team center, but they played winning football, they controlled the line of scrimmage, and the run game. We handled pass protection very well in critical situations."
- While the running game and defense controlled the game, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster put an exclamation point on the night's physicality by putting trash-talking Utah CB Dominique Hatfield on SportsCenter with a hellacious stiff arm. "I told him, it's one of the most unbelievable plays I have been a part of as a player or coach ever," said Martin. "It reminds me of what happens with Kobe and Michael Jordan at times. The best thing to do is just be quiet and try to put those guys to sleep. When you start talking to guys that are that competitive, that's what happens. [laughs] He did what he had to do."
- As for the tailbacks, Helton prefers a three-back system, but RB Justin Davis admitted that it was nice to get into a groove with 19 carries. "With that many carries, it's very easy to find my rhythm and see which way the linebackers are coming on each play," he said. "It allows me to see the whole game a whole lot more."
- This week, the Trojans want to stick with their ground-and-pound mentality to keep the ball away from talented Cal QB Jared Goff. "In the third quarter, we had an 18-play drive that took up about nine minutes. It's something that we want to keep doing," said Kessler. "We've got to keep our offense on the field, extend drives and continue to make our plays."
- The Trojans are having Italian food for "family dinner" tonight. "It's Coach Helton for you. He knows how it was, how we won the game," said Rodgers. "We won the game as a family and that's what he teaches us the most."
- Here is Helton after practice:
