The Trojans enjoyed a long weekend off following their big Thursday night win over Cal, and are working now to get ready for high-powered Oregon.
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Despite the extra time off, injuries have started to pile up. Full injury report, per head coach Clay Helton: CB Jonathan Lockett (hip, doubtful), LB Uchenna Nwosu (knee sprain, practiced today), LB Olajuwon Tucker (hamstring, practiced today), RB Justin Davis (ankle, partially practiced today), RB Aca'Cedric Ware (knee sprain, tweaked ankle today), CB Adoree' Jackson (illness), DE Christian Rector (illness), S Leon McQuay III (illness).
- Helton noted that if Ware is sidelined vs. Oregon due to his knee and ankle injuries, Dominic Davis and James Toland IV would be the next men up. He said he wants to preserve Vavae Malepeai's redshirt.
- While the Trojans racked up 398 rush yards last week, Oregon brings the conference's top rushing attack to the Coliseum Saturday. "When you look at Royce Freeman and Tony Brooks-James, you're talking about two different types of backs, two dynamic kids that are putting up 248 yards a game," Helton said of the Ducks' two top RBs. "With Royce, 5.6 yards a carry, and then they put Tony in, and Tony is ultra-dangerous. The kid's averaging 8.6 a carry, and every time he touches the ball, you hold your breath."
- Helton also noted the rise of Oregon's true freshman QB Justin Herbert over the past few games. "I think the whole Pac-12 went, 'Oh gosh, they found their guy,'" he said of the Eugene native who's put up as many touchdowns as USC's Sam Darnold in the past two weeks (10). This weekend, Herbert set a Ducks record for total offense in a single game (512 yards).
- Instead of focusing on Oregon's high-octane offense, Darnold will work to diagnose Oregon's defense, which he said runs "a lot of similar coverages that Cal runs ... but they bring a little bit more pressure." Considering his success against Cal, Darnold said he's "definitely confident going into this game."
- Darnold, who's thrown 16 TD in the last four games, said as he's gotten more experience and learned to trust his "dominant" offensive line, he's settled down on the field. "After watching the Utah game on film, I realized how much time I actually had in the pocket, and knowing that, I'm able to stay a lot more comfortable in the pocket in those other games, and I think that's really helped me."
- Jones II, who had a career-high 223 rush yards on Thursday, also praised his offensive line for their "effort" and "passion." "They know their assignments and they make my job look easy," he said. "I'm just running the ball."
- After practice, Helton confirmed that he granted QB Max Browne permission to contact other schools about the potential to transfer, with no restrictions. "Max has been so good to us and so good to this football team, and is a graduate, that's what's most important," Helton said. "Out of respect to him, a guy that I truly love, I want him to be able to talk to other folks and see, 'What is the perfect fit?' Is it to be here and get a Master's and finish out his career here, or is it to find an opportunity that may fit him better?"
- Helton also explained that he expects DE Noah Jefferson to get back into football shape soon, after taking a break from team activities to catch up on academics.
- Here is Helton's full press conference:
