- No new injury news, but the Trojans are preparing as if they will not have LB Lamar Dawson, RB Justin Davis, DL Claude Pelon and DL Jordan Simmons.
-
In that case, freshman LB Cameron Smith will get the start alongside senior captain Anthony Sarao. "The guy has been making plays for us [since spring]," said head coach Steve Sarkisian. "He's just a heady guy."
- Sarkisian also expects all three freshmen tailbacks - Ronald Jones II, Aca'Cedric Ware and Dominic Davis - to play on Saturday. However, Tre Madden is back in the starting role after missing all of last season. "Being my senior season, I wanted to be on the field and have a pivotal role for the team," said Madden. "I'm just having the most fun I can possibly have this year."
- Freshman RT Chuma Edoga will rotate in with starter Zach Banner. Marvell Tell III and Iman Marshall will see time in the secondary. TE Tyler Petite, who made a great TD catch in practice today, is listed as a co-starter at his spot. OLB Porter Gustin should parlay a strong Fall Camp into meaningful time as well.
- As a team, Sarkisian said the Trojans will sub or "platoon" at "an alarming rate" compared to previous seasons when they did not have any depth. "We don't have second defense, we platoon, so every defense is a first defense," said LB Su'a Cravens. "Any defense that's in there is gonna be ready to compete."
- Like the defense, the offensive line will rotate constantly, but they have to be wary of Arkansas State's aggressive pass rush, which accounted for 37 sacks last season. "They're a good team," said LT Chad Wheeler, who is healthy and ready to start. "They led their division with sacks. They have a great pass rush, talented guys. We gotta bring our A-game."
- Two punting notes: Starting punter Kris Albarado will wear No. 17 this season. And, the newest Trojan is blueshirt punter Chris Tilbey. Originally from Melbourne, he is an Australian Rules-style punter who comes to USC as a transfer from San Francisco City College. He is eligible to play immediately as a sophomore.
- Clay Helton was the star attraction at practice today since he was publicly named the offensive play-caller on Saturday. "It's been a year in development," said Helton about the plan to run the offense. "Obviously, when you're a first-year group and getting to know exactly what Coach wants as an OC and a play-caller, it was really a great learning experience for me to see exactly what he wants and how he makes calls."
- Helton will call plays from the field and WR coach Tee Martin will serve as his eye in the sky up in the press box. "If we were in a different situation, and we didn't have Tee Martin and Coach Tui and Coach Sark, you're talking about four quarterbacks on a staff, we've all seen and played the game and so the information coming down is very simple. If we weren't in that situation, and I felt like I needed better vision, I'd be up. But I can't tell you how valuable it is, when you get in a critical situation at the end of the game, to be able to literally talk to the players and say this is exactly what I want you to do. That's critical."
- Helton and QB Cody Kessler have developed tremendous chemistry over the redshirt senior's career. Helton on Kessler: "It's like having a coach on the field. It's like he's reading my mind. He knows, whether it's myself or Coach Sark calling the play, exactly what we want and exactly why we're calling the play."
- Here is Sarkisian's morning press conference:
University Southern California Trojans
September 01, 2015 | USC Ripsit Blog
Arkansas St. Tuesday: Notes
Game week is well underway as the Trojans ready for the season opener against Arkansas State (Saturday at 8 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks).
Monday, November 02
Monday, November 02
Sunday, November 01
Sunday, November 01
