The showdown at Autzen Stadium between the newly-ranked No. 24 USC Trojans and No. 23 Oregon Ducks is just three days away, and the Trojans spent Wednesday's practice focused on pass rush and ball security.
- According to interim head coach Clay Helton, in addition to the pass rush, the majority of the practice was spent forcing turnovers, protecting the ball and running through third down scenarios on both offense and defense. Against the No. 1 scoring offense in the conference, it will be incredibly important for the Trojans to make the most of every possession on Saturday.
- On the injury front, RG Viane Talamaivao suffered a torn meniscus on the fourth play of the game against Colorado, according to Helton, but resiliently played the rest of the game. With three days until kickoff, his playing time this Saturday will be determined based on his pain tolerance. S Leon McQuay III has a torn PCL in his right knee, per Helton, and will only be used in case of emergency against Oregon. RB Tre Madden will also make the trip to Eugene but, according to the interim head coach, is realistically looking to play next against UCLA.
- The "Next Man Up" mentality has served the Trojans well this season, and the list now includes redshirt freshman OG Chris Brown, who is stepping up in the potential absence of Talamaivao. On the other side of the ball, a rotation of linebackers are stepping up to fill the void left by Cam Smith and Lamar Dawson who suffered season-ending injuries last weekend. This group includes freshman Uchenna Nwosu, junior Michael Hutchings and sophomore Olajuwon Tucker. Additionally, Helton mentioned freshman Aca'Cedric Ware as a potential option for more reps at running back.Â
- Veteran leader and linebacker Anthony Sarao has been impressed with the performance of youngsters Nwosu and Tucker in practice this week, explaining that the focus is to get each as comfortable as possible rotating in and out with the usual starters. "It's a little coaching here and there just because it's a little shifting, but the reps on the field, getting them out there now is going to be the best."
- According to defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, Nwosu has already made a mark on special teams this season and is expected to do more and more on defense as the season concludes. "He's a real physical guy. He gets off on blocks and he's got good instincts. I think he gets better the more he plays."
- Tucker is excited at the opportunity he has to make an impact on the defense this weekend, noting that the coaching he's received this week has led to increased confidence in his game. "It's going to be a great physical game. The toughest team is going to win and it's whoever outlasts the other," said the sophomore. "We control our own destiny so every game is a big game from now on."
- Sarao will be playing a little of both the Mike and Will LB positions this week but said it's not a challenge because, in the 3-4 system, "It's really the same." Regardless where he lines up, it doesn't change his responsibilities as far as checks and calls go. "You know how we play in the Pac-12, it's fast tempo," explained the redshirt senior. "We don't really huddle up and make a call, everyone just looks, gets the signal and as a defense we call it."
- The depleted LB corps as well as the entire Trojan defense will "have its hands full" working to stop Oregon RB Royce Freeman on Saturday, according to Helton. Freeman leads the conference in rushing touchdowns and yards and is one of the Ducks' most lethal weapons. "He's an unbelievable running back. He's one of those guys you have to gang tackle. Justin [Wilcox] has talked about how important pursuit will be to the ball on this guy," said Helton. "He's one of the premier backs in the country."
- Between Freeman, QB Vernon Adams and a handful of other explosive playmakers, the Trojans have a lot to keep their eyes on at Autzen Stadium. While Oregon's offense is often heralded as fast-paced and complex, for Sarao, the key to the game on Saturday is pretty simple. "They're good at what they do. They're good at hiding stuff. They don't really do too much, it's just that they run it out of different formations," the linebacker explained. Wilcox mentioned after practice that of the 49 plays Oregon ran against Stanford, there were 22 or 23 different formations. "They play against a 3-4, their defense runs what we run," said Sarao. "Basically, we just have to win. We're not going to trick them and they're not going to trick us, it's who is going to play better."
- Here is Helton's complete post-practice presser...
