Arizona Wednesday: Notes

The Trojans hit the practice field on a chilly Wednesday evening to prepare for this weekend's matchup with Arizona.

USC head coach Clay Helton described the injury report as nearly identical to yesterday's. He said he's optimistic that RB Stephen Carr (foot) will play for the first time since USC's game at Washington State over a month ago.

LB Jordan Iosefa (pictured) started at outside linebacker against ASU to account for injuries to Porter Gustin and Christian Rector, and said he felt comfortable with the move. "It was fine," he said. "I feel good playing at it. Just like any other position, wherever the coaches need me, I'll do my best."

Helton said Iosefa's athleticism helped him fill the role. "Because of the zone read possibilities, we're really trying to get great athletes in change of direction. It can go either way, as far as having Uchenna [Nwosu] on one side, Jordan on the other," he said.

Iosefa said the team aims to "gang tackle" Arizona QB Khalil Tate, who "plays like a running back" with "breakaway speed."

Last year, Tate threw for just 58 yards against USC and rushed for 72. But safety Chris Hawkins describes the QB as "a totally different person" this season. "He's playing like Lamar Jackson last year," Hawkins said. "If he didn't start so late in the season, I think he would probably been in the Heisman race a little bit more. He's fast, big, strong, everything you could ask for and he's actually putting the ball on target this year so he is playing well."

Helton agreed that Tate's biggest improvement from last season is his deep ball accuracy. "You try to load that box up and he's hitting a bunch of receivers down the field," Helton said. "To be able to cover both aspects is hard. We've got to do a great job of holding up outside and try to defend the box."

WR Randal Grimes and CB Dominic Davis have simulated Tate on scout team this week, because Grimes played quarterback in high school and Davis runs a 10.4 100-yard dash.

The Trojans are treating Saturday's matchup as a playoff game, but Helton is also trying to keep them relaxed. The team played dodgeball on Monday after doing some light work on the field. "It's Week 10 in a row without a bye," Helton explained. "It was just a good way to get rid of a little bit of the monotony."

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