University Southern California Trojans
UCLA Wednesday: Notes
November 15, 2017 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
USC's senior class will take its final bow at the Coliseum on Saturday.
The Trojans are off next week, so they can empty the gas tank on Saturday against UCLA.
- Injury updates per head coach Clay Helton: Nothing changed from yesterday with the exception of OLB Uchenna Nwosu who practiced today and "looked good." QB Matt Fink was held out today with a knee sprain, but he should be available on Saturday.
- RB Stephen Carr and CB Iman Marshall continue to progress and should be able to play more on Saturday, per Helton.
- UCLA has the No. 2 pass offense in the Pac-12 led by QB Josh Rosen. "He has no fear. He sees a window. He doesn't hesitate. He pulls the trigger," said Helton about Rosen. "He has the arm strength to get it there, and he's deadly accurate."
- The Trojans were able to have success against Rosen in 2015 because they put him under pressure. "We have to be able to affect his timing and get him uncomfortable," Helton explained the game plan against any great thrower.
- This could be the toughest test of the season for USC's secondary, which has been a strength this season, ranking second in the conference with 15 interceptions. "We get hyped with any quarterback, but I think we're really hyped because we're going to have an opportunity as defensive backs because this is a team that likes to spread the ball, and they do have a good quarterback, so they're not afraid to spread the ball," said CB Jack Jones.
- Jones is a local product like many of the Trojans and Bruins. While he is friendly with some of the players across town, he won't be fraternizing with the enemy this week. "Yeah, it's pretty fun, but at the end of the day, it's a business," Jones said. "When we're on that field, nobody's friends except for the guys in the same color as me. We're there to play ball, and that's it. After the game, we can be friends."
- This will be the final game in the Coliseum for captain Uchenna Nwosu. "A lot of greats have come and walked through here, so being able to follow in those footsteps is a blessing," the senior said. "I'm very honored and proud to have been able to represent this university as best as I can."
- Nwosu is having an all-conference caliber season thanks to a relentless motor and a knack for batting down passes. "It feels great. To be able to accomplish what I've accomplished in my last year, I'm basically going out with a bang," he said. "It feels awesome."
- Some seniors have been moved to tears running out of the tunnel for the final time as a player, but Nwosu will try to keep it together. "Trying to stay focused at all times. Keeping emotions down," he said. "Still trying to get that championship, that's the ultimate goal, so I'm still focused on that."
- As for what's at stake this weekend, Nwosu said, "USC owns LA. Got to prove it one more time."
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