- USC could be a few men down to face Oregon. Here is the injury report, per head coach Clay Helton: CB Jonathan Lockett (doubtful with a hip injury), RB Aca'Cedric Ware (missed practice with a sprained ankle), RB Justin Davis (practiced but limited to straight ahead running) and LB Michael Hutchings (pulled from practice with a tight calf).
-
Without Lockett, Ajene Harris is likely to take on a greater role this week. Harris was a quarterback in high school, played wide receiver as a freshman at USC and now is growing into the cornerback position. Helton explained that he was able to handle the position changes because he is "playbook smart" and blessed with great instincts.
- Unlike last year at Oregon, the Trojans will have LB Cam Smith. "It was rough but I'm ready to play them," said Smith about missing the 2015 contest with a knee injury. "It should be a fun one." Helton admitted that it "hurt" USC to play without Smith against Oregon's potent offense in Eugene.
- S Marvell Tell III (pictured) also missed the game due to injury last year, but he enters this week with boosted confidence after his first career interception. "That was cool," Tell said about the pick. "We expect those as DBs. We just got to go get more. I wasn't surprised because we prepare hard every week."
- DC Clancy Pendergast has been impressed by Tell's improvement this season. "He hadn't had a lot of experience coming into the year, so the more he's played the more comfortable he's been able to get," Pendergast said about his sophomore safety. "I can see a comfort level with him every single week and I think he's made a lot of progress."
- Pendergast was hired by USC in 2013 in large part due to his success against this Oregon offense. Helton would not get specific, but he praised Pendergast for being a defensive coordinator who "picks your strength and tries to eliminate it and makes you play ball in other areas."
- Oregon's strength is its speed on offense at the skill positions. Helton said that the Ducks have "always been the fastest team we've played."
- Pendergast also praised Oregon's freshman QB Justin Herbert. "I think he's very talented. I think they give him a lot, new wrinkles every week, and I'm sure they have some new stuff for us."
- Helton is looking for a big week from his pass rush to disrupt Herbert. "If you don't hit this kid, you're going to have a long day because he can distribute it." Here is the full Helton press conference:
