University Southern California Trojans
Texas Tuesday: Notes
September 12, 2017 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans were back on the practice field Tuesday with another showcase game due up this week.
- Here is the injury report from head coach Clay Helton: RT Chuma Edoga (held out with a wrist injury), LB John Houston Jr. (neck stiffness from a stinger), OLB Porter Gustin (shoulder and toe injuries), and TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (hip and groin).
- Imatorbhebhe has officially been shut down with that hip flexor issue which has plagued his camp and season so far. He will not return to practice until he is 100 percent, according to Helton, who was unable to provide a timetable for how long that will take.
- With Michael Brown out for the season due to a torn ACL in his left knee, punter Reid Budrovich is the backup kicker. He is "more than adequate to do the job if needed," said Helton.
- While the national spotlight on this game has been slightly dimmed by Texas losing its opener to Maryland, Helton called the Longhorns "a sleeping giant" that he expects to get better and better every week.
- The USC head coach is really impressed with their personnel, including talented OLB Malik Jefferson. The junior will be a tough matchup for USC's offensive tackles because he is great in pursuit and "plays in other people's backfield," Helton said.
- However, USC LT Toa Lobendahn has been up to the task through two games. "50 is playing great football right now. We knew he would. His athleticism is really shining at the left tackle position," Helton said.
- Next to Lobendahn, LG Chris Brown was carving out some massive holes against Stanford. "I thought Chris played by far his best game as a Trojan," Helton praised. "I'm really proud for him. He's really coming into his own right now."
- Brown is one of a five-man unit that controlled the line of scrimmage on Saturday. "I thought the o-line played very well," Brown said. "I thought we got a really good push at the point of contact and we have great running backs, a great quarterback, so they make our job easy."
- Speaking of great running backs, Stephen Carr (pictured) has been fun to watch through two games. "Every time he touches the ball, you kind of hold your breath," Helton said about the freshman.
- Carr is taking it all in stride. "I love it, the fans are showing me love," Carr said. "My coaches are putting a lot of confidence in me as you can see and I'm just taking advantage of it."
- While USC's backfield has been the talk of college football, RB coach Deland McCullough will not let it go to their heads. "That helps us a lot because it's not like we have just one set goal for the whole year, we have a new set goal for every practice, every time we step in the meeting room," Carr explained how he coaches. "So that keeps you on your toes."
Players Mentioned
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