University Southern California Trojans
WSU Monday: Notes
September 25, 2017 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans held a typical Tuesday practice on Monday as their short week to prepare for No. 16 Washington State continues.
- A few starters who missed the Cal game, like LB Porter Gustin and WR Steven Mitchell Jr., were held from practice again, and USC head coach Clay Helton added three new names to the injury list: WR Deontay Burnett (shoulder), RB Aca'Cedric Ware and WR Velus Jones Jr.
- Down two starting wideouts, USC QB Sam Darnold mostly targeted Tyler Vaughns, Jalen Greene, Trevon Sidney and Josh Imatorbhebhe in practice today.
- Darnold has thrown an interception in each game so far, leaving some wondering if he's forcing balls to his receivers. Darnold acknowledged that he's gotten "impatient" at times, but still feels he's improved in many aspects from last season.
- USC QBs coach Tyson Helton said he implores Darnold not to dwell on his mistakes. "There are going to be so many times that he makes a great play, where you go, 'Wow,'" Helton said. "Every now and then he is going to have a forced throw, and you have to take the good with the bad."
- Darnold (pictured) is going up against WSU QB Luke Falk, whose nation-leading 76.9 completion percentage earned him "as efficient as there is in the league right now" marks from head coach Clay Helton.
- Helton also complimented Cougars DL Hercules Mata'afa, who he called "a nightmare." Mata'afa is tied for fourth in the nation with 8.0 TFL and tied for seventh in the nation with 4.5 sacks this season.
- USC RB Ronald Jones II will attempt to elude Mata'afa on the field on Friday. After missing the Cal game with a leg injury, Jones was back at practice today and insists he'd be ready to play if the game were tomorrow. Jones said that he was more anxious watching the game from home than he is while playing in a game and hopes to never miss another trip with the team.
- True freshman RB Stephen Carr filled in admirably for Jones, with 129 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown against the Bears. "I think he did great," said Jones of his successor. "His fourth game ever, to be put in that staring role is a big change ... He's pretty advanced for a freshman, obviously. He's been impressive."
- Helton confirmed after practice that redshirt freshman TE Cary Angeline has decided to leave the program. The Chester Springs, Penn. native wanted to play closer to home according to the head coach, who called him "an awesome kid" and wished him "nothing but a bright future."
- Helton also had the following to say on the recent national anthem protests in the NFL: "One of the special things about our country is the freedom to speak your mind ... That's a beautiful thing ... We've got very good kids here, and an unbelievable campus that allows for opinion and allows for open-mindedness."
Players Mentioned
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
TB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
TB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
TB
/ FootballTuesday, June 23
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
