- While nothing noteworthy happened on the field during the non-contact practice, head coach Steve Sarkisian's press conference was full of juicy tidbits.
- First, he brought out the 2015 team captains: QB Cody Kessler, C Max Tuerk, LB Su'a Cravens, LB Anthony Sarao and DT Antwaun Woods.
- Because the voting was so close, the coaching staff settled on three defenders.
- And then, Sarkisian announced that offensive coordinator Clay Helton will take over the primary play-calling responsibilities. After assessing his first season at USC, Sarkisian developed the plan, starting in spring football, to transition the offense over to Helton, so he can focus on his duties as a head coach. Helton will call plays from the sideline.
- Sarkisian: "I want to be a great head coach. I don't want to set offensive records and be 8-5 or 9-4. I want to win 14 games."
- Finally, Sarkisian announced the winners of a pair of camp battles. Alex Wood will be the starting placekicker for the season opener, while senior Tre Madden was named the starting tailback. Junior RB Justin Davis, who is dealing with a rib injury, is questionable for the first game, so the Trojans could rely on three freshmen, Ronald Jones II, Aca'Cedric Ware and Dominic Davis, to backup Madden.
- Here is Sarkisian's lengthy and newsworthy press conference:
