OSU Wednesday: Notes

The Trojans enjoyed an an energetic practice on Wednesday as their battle with Oregon State inched closer.

USC head coach Clay Helton said the injury report remains almost identical to yesterday's, with one unfortunate exception: starting right guard Viane Talamaivao (pictured below) will have season-ending surgery to repair a pectoral tear.

Helton was effusive in his praise of Talamaivao, whose USC career is likely over since he participated in five games (the NCAA's cutoff for granting a redshirt is typically four games). "Viane has been very much a rock to us for four years," Helton said. "Very much a leader. He's near and dear to all our hearts and has been a true Trojan. Love him to death. Awesome gentleman and awesome student-athlete."

In positive injury news, LT Toa Lobendahn and WR Steven Mitchell Jr. looked healthy today after missing time with injuries. Helton said that the Trojans missed Mitchell's leadership and confidence during his two-game absence, but that it allowed younger players like Tyler Vaughns to get a few important plays under their belts.

WR Michael Pittman is as close to 100 percent as he's been since suffering an ankle injury in camp, per Helton. "He made a huge leap forward these last two practices," Helton said. "I gave him a big hug, because he's really sticking his foot in the ground now, and you can see his confidence and his explosiveness coming back. And we need it, to have that big a body."

Amid early-season injuries on both sides of the ball, LB Cameron Smith said Helton has preached a next man up mentality. "I think our team lives on that," the captain said. "As a guy who's been here, I am so pumped for them to get the chance to play, like [Ykili Ross] and Christian Rector, you know, some of these guys that have stepped up huge for us and who possibly never have been able to without some injuries."

Rector's performance in relief of an injured Porter Gustin has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, alongside LB Uchenna Nwosu's improvement from last year. Nwosu has racked up 30 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery and 8 passes broken through five games. Nwosu attributes his ability to bat down passes at the line to a number of things: the daily batted balls drill, film study and his experience playing basketball his whole life. "My bounce helps me be able to get up high," he said.

Senior safety Chris Hawkins didn't hold back in complimenting his fellow team captain. "He's one of the best in the country," said Hawkins of Nwosu. "He's an All-American candidate right now. In my opinion, he is the best defensive player in college football right now, in this moment in time. He is playing that good."

Helton compared Nwosu's ability to rush off the edge to that of Broncos All-Pro Von Miller. "He is just a complete football player and a great leader," Helton said. "That's why he's our team captain."

Helton acknowledged that USC needs to capitalize on the defense's forced turnovers after falling short against Washington State. "When you get a turnover on the plus side of the field, there's no reason not to score a touchdown," he said. "That's got to be your mindset: 'We're not walking off this field without a touchdown. Field goals are unacceptable.'"

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