- "I really commended our seniors today," Helton said after Sunday's practice. "The way they have approached this bowl practice early, it's really rubbed off on the other guys."
- According to Helton, the departing seniors aren't the only ones setting an uptempo pace at USC's bowl game practices. "There's kind of a fresh energy out here now which is really, really neat," explained Helton, highlighting the positive attitude and extensive experience brought to the postseason by his interim position coaches. "I'm so happy for these gentlemen. It's kind of their opportunity to come from being in the back and now step up in the front."
- One such coach is USC All-American Kenechi Udeze who is helping to coach the defensive line for the Holiday Bowl. Serving as a strength and conditioning coach for much of this season, Udeze is now thrilled at his opportunity to coach on the field at his alma mater. "I always wanted to find my way back [to the field] and this just happened to be the way that I found my way back," said Udeze. "When we're on the football field it's a different dynamic [than being a strength coach] when you're learning a young man and what he's capable of. But that's what you do in this process, you have to evaluate talent and you have to give the guys exactly what they need to carry out the defense."
- The Trojans have made several changes on the opposite side of the line with starting left tackle Chad Wheeler out for now dealing with "personal issues". Redshirt junior Zach Banner will move from right to left tackle and freshman Chuma Edoga will step up to start at the right tackle position.
- On Wednesday, junior linebacker Su'a Cravens announced his decision to declare for the 2016 NFL Draft. In his first time speaking with the media since, Cravens expressed his gratitude toward Coach Helton, his position coaches and teammates in supporting him in what was a difficult decision. "It was hard, especially with Helton coming back, the team we have coming back and the schedule I saw. I like a challenge and there's no schedule harder than the one we have next year," said Cravens. "But I think it was time to go. I would think it's every kid's dream to go to the NFL. With the opportunity I had at hand, it was too good to pass up."
- Cravens' announcement means the Trojans' bowl game on the 30th will be his last in Cardinal & Gold. Still, the junior doesn't think that reality will change anything about the way he will approach his preparation for the Badgers. "I play every game like it's my last. I don't think you can turn on any game and see that my effort has been any different [this season]. It's going to be the same thing. I came to 'SC to play ball and it's my last game, but I'm going to play it like I do every other game and be mentally prepared," Cravens explained.
- Freshman cornerback Iman Marshall echoed Cravens' sentiment, but from a team perspective, explaining that despite the changes on the coaching staff this offseason, the Trojans are ready to go to battle as a team in San Diego. "At the end of the day, whatever we have here, we've got to fight for that. We have to play for ourselves as a team most importantly. We have to play for each other and that's the mentality we've really taken on."
- In the last week of studying Wisconsin on film, Marshall says they know what they need to do both as a defense and a position group to emerge victorious in the Holiday Bowl. "They're a physical team," said Marshall. "They're a heavy run-based team and they pass a little bit. When they do pass, we have to capitalize on it in the secondary and make the plays on our end. We've got to come out and play physical and play with that swagger that I know we have."
- On a slightly less football-related note, in separate interviews after practice, both Helton and Adoree' Jackson discussed the sophomore's plans for the upcoming spring. Motivated by dreams of competing on Track & Field's highest stage this year, Jackson and Helton have agreed that he will primarily focus on his long jump career in this next offseason. "He's got a very special year coming up with the opportunity to win a national championship in long jump and then compete in the Summer Olympics," said Helton. "That doesn't happen very often. I've always believed if you're going to be a master at something, you've got to work at it...[Adoree] is going to concentrate this spring on being the best long jump champion he can be, helping our track team and really focus his energy on hopefully winning a gold medal."
- Here is Helton's complete post-practice presser...
University Southern California Trojans
Holiday Bowl Practice #2: Notes
December 01, 2015 | USC Ripsit Blog
Holiday Bowl Practice #2: Notes
Day two of Holiday Bowl prep included the complete installation of the Trojans' game plan and head coach Clay Helton was pleased with the leadership and energy brought to practice by one particular group of players.
Thursday, September 17
Thursday, September 17
Wednesday, September 16
Wednesday, September 16
