- RB Justin Davis, LB Lamar Dawson and DL Claude Pelon are "doubtful" for the season opener, per head coach Steve Sarkisian, but "hopeful" for Idaho in week two. Freshman DL Rasheem Green has been cleared to play and will participate Saturday.
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Without Davis, senior Tre Madden will be the bell cow back for the Trojans on Saturday. "What I forgot about Tre is that he's a little more explosive than I probably gave him credit for," said Sarkisian. "His cutting ability, his ability to accelerate through the hole, he's got great balance and he's a big guy who's got natural pass-catching ability. His football IQ is about as high for a running back as I've been around. That goes back to playing quarterback in high school and on both sides of the ball here." - USC has a talented opponent this week that has made four consecutive bowl games, so the Trojans are not overlooking Arkansas State. "They're a great team, very explosive. We've just got to be disciplined," said senior CB Kevon Seymour. "They go fast, uptempo, they've got speedy, nice receivers who like to hit the edge."
- Playing opposite Adoree' Jackson, Kevon Seymour knows that he will be a busy man once again this season, but the senior is more prepared for it. "I've really improved over the years and now it's really clicking," he said. "I see concepts better, routes, really our whole defense."
- Jackson's only major weakness at cornerback last year was that he is still waiting for his first collegiate interception. According to defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, he was able to get by at times on his athletic gifts, but he has focused on the "fundamentals of the position" to improve his playmaking abilities.
- While any defensive coordinator would like Jackson to play 100% of the snaps, Wilcox understands how dangerous he is on offense because he goes against him in practice. "You don't want to tackle him. I don't want to tackle him. He's about the only guy that covers himself," he joked.
- When the depth chart was released, the biggest news was that Chris Hawkins and Leon McQuay topped the competition at safety, but Wilcox stressed that it is a "fluid situation" and all four candidates will see extensive time on Saturday.
- Freshman Marvell Tell III is in the mix at safety and Iman Marshall will make his USC debut at corner on Saturday. Jackson, now a wise old sophomore, will keep his advice simple, "All you have to do is tell them go out and play ball. The speed changes from high school, but it's not that different. You just need to go out there and play like you always have."
- While the freshmen are excited about their first game, senior Antwaun Woods is already a little sentimental. "I'm kind of sad that it's my last first game in the Coliseum," said the captain. "But I'm going to make sure that I take advantage of every snap, of every moment I have. It's going to be a great one."
- Sarkisian on the freshmen: "The transformation from high school to this practice field is a huge one. Then, the transformation from Howard Jones-Kennedy to the Coliseum is another big step. We'll find out a lot about these guys, and the guys that are comfortable enough to go in there and play. But so far, I've been very impressed."
- Here is head coach Steve Sarkisian after practice...
