The Trojans had their final practice at the Coliseum before next weekend's Spring Game.
- Saturday's practice focused on all of the different phases of the game as the team worked through a variety of specific scenarios. Ultimately, the defense won the Finish Challenge by sacking Cody Kessler.
- Head coach Steve Sarkisian praised his defense's development all spring, citing the unit's growing pains last season as a key component of its success. "Our youthfulness from a year ago became invaluable experience that is helping us right now," said Sarkisian. "The reps they had a year ago and the growing pains they endured last season are making us a better defense today."
- With a solid foundation in place, the defense is now able to focus on becoming even more of a threat. "We want to be more aggressive. We want to be able to pressure the quarterback more," Sarkisian explained. "We want to make it uncomfortable for quarterbacks and to do that we have to cover really well."
- One of the most dangerous defensive weapons is linebacker Su'a Cravens who has been the number one defensive playmaker all spring. "He's been so disruptive at the line of scrimmage," Sarkisian noted. "He's got a unique ability to rush the passer. He's always around the ball. He's not just relying on ability. He's doing it with effort too."
- This high-intensity defensive performance is challenging the offense to improve as well. An area of emphasis for the quarterbacks is to stretch the field more in order to utilize the team's wealth of offensive talent. "I thought they made some really good throws downfield," Sarkisian said. "We pride ourselves on efficiency and our ability to play catch and get completions within the 10-15 yard range. We have to throw the ball downfield to keep people honest."
- As the offense looks to expand the field it will rely more and more on the development of a young offensive line. Redshirt junior right tackle Zach Banner is pleased with his unit's effort in the offseason but knows there's a lot more room to grow. "I'm never complacent so I've got stuff that I have to work on for myself. I know that getting myself better will help the team and that's what I'm focused on."
- The transition under new offensive line coach Bob Connelly has been smooth according to the tackle, who has had four offensive line coaches in four years. "He's the best one I've had," said Banner. "He cares about our football life and our personal life. Some meetings will be 10 percent football and 90 percent life. He knows how to take young guys and turn them into older guys and take older guys and turn them into veterans. He's working on things with me that will not only get me to the next level but help me dominate on Saturdays."
- With just one week remaining in spring ball, Banner says the offensive line's mindset is focused on one thing above all. "To not think that we are there yet," he said. "We can't be complacent. It's the difference between going to a Rose Bowl and a Holiday Bowl. We didn't come here to be mediocre. We're here to win national championships. We can't settle."
