On a chilly Wednesday evening, the Trojans inched one step closer to the crosstown showdown against UCLA this weekend.
-
USC head coach Clay Helton said most players are progressing from injury, but that DL Josh Fatu (ankle) remains 50/50 at best. Helton also sat WR Deontay Burnett (knee) today, but says he will practice tomorrow.
- Helton and the Trojans placed special emphasis on third down efficiency today. USC is second in the conference, converting 46.2 percent of its third down opportunities, while UCLA's defense ranks third, allowing opponents to convert just 32.1 percent of the time. "It ought to be a heck of a matchup, and that's a key battle of keeping drives alive," Helton said.
- Helton also said the team focused on ball security today. He noted that USC's two non-offensive touchdowns vs. UCLA last year "turned the tide" of the game and wanted to make sure the Trojans were on the winning side of that battle again this year.
- DL Rasheem Green was responsible for one of those touchdowns last year, as he returned a Josh Rosen fumble 31 yards for the score. This year, Green kickstarted Rivalry Week with an impressive performance vs. UW on Saturday (4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 1 FG block). "I'm trying to focus on my technique, watching more film, the small details, so I can play better," Green said.
- Helton said Green has improved under the mentorship of Tu'ikolovatu, who transferred to USC from Utah this year. "He picks up the habits of Stevie, from the way he takes care of himself, how he works on this practice field, how he leads," Helton said. "He's helped Rasheem grow up."
- Green, Tu'ikolovatu and the entire front seven have stepped up during USC's six-game win streak, which LB Porter Gustin (pictured) attributes to "everyone playing good ball at the same time."
- Gustin broke down the keys to defeating the Bruins, who average just 87.2 rush yards per game. "We've talked all week about establishing that they're not going to run the ball on us early," Gustin said. "Making them one dimensional and getting after the quarterback, that's a key for sure."
- UCLA's quarterback, Mike Fafaul, is one the Trojans have never faced before. He replaced an injured Josh Rosen just over a month ago and has completed 54.5 percent of his passes for 9 TD and 10 INT.
- Despite facing a backup QB and a 3-6 Bruin squad, Gustin said the team is still looking forward to the crosstown clash. "It's huge,"he said "It doesn't matter what their record is. They'll be up for this game. We have to be prepared for anything."
- Helton insisted that he'd have his Trojans ready for the rivalry game. "We have a job to do," he said. "That's been the overriding emphasis each and every week: Do our job. On this day, in this moment. And that's what I'm going to keep selling."
- Watch Helton's full press conference here:
