2018 OSU Tuesday: Notes

The Trojans hit the practice field with resolve after USC's fourth loss of the season prompted a shakeup of the coaching staff.

Full injury report, per USC head coach Clay Helton: CB Olaijah Griffin (shoulder) was limited, S Marvell Tell III (neck) returned, LB Cameron Smith (hamstring, knee) returned, OT Chuma Edoga (knee) returned, LB Levi Jones (hip, out) and QB JT Daniels returned to practice after clearing concussion protocol.

Yesterday, Helton announced that he would take over play calling duties for the offense and relieve offensive line coach Neil Callaway of his duties. "Play calling is something that I've been itching to do ... and I felt it was an appropriate time," Helton said. "I feel extremely comfortable being able to lead an offense as well as a team."

Helton acknowledged that dismissing Callaway was a difficult decision. "Probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, because he's like family to me," said Helton. "He's a great coach, he's a great man. Somebody that I love dearly. It was a very hard day. But I knew that I needed to make a change, and I just couldn't look Coach in the eye for four weeks and allow him to work and know that change was coming. I didn't think that was respectful to him."

Tim Drevno, who began this season as USC's running backs coach and pass protection coordinator, took over for Callaway as the offensive line coach. Drevno has more than 10 years of experience coaching offensive line, including a previous stop at USC in 2014. "I started thinking back to when I coached the line and things started coming back," Drevno said. "It's kind of like riding a bike. Once you've done it, you kind of slip back in there and go for it."

USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin, who called offensive plays during USC's first eight games this season, expressed disappointment but remained supportive of Helton's decision to take over playcalling. "As a competitor, you've been doing your job and you feel like you've been doing a good job, and just having it taken away ... that's tough," Martin said. "But I'm here for the team and to support my head coach. He wanted to call the plays so I'll continue to do my job as a coordinator."

Helton affirmed that Martin will continue to help game plan and coach the wide receivers, and had nothing but positive things to say about the offensive coordinator. "Tee did a tremendous job," Helton said. "He won us a Rose Bowl and he won us a Pac-12 Championship. I wish we had more wins right now, and I wish we were just a little more productive, but the man did a fabulous job."

On Saturday, Helton will be calling plays for USC freshman QB JT Daniels, who returned to practice after missing the ASU game with a concussion. "This is my first time having Coach Helton calling plays for me, so I'm obviously gonna talk to him a little bit more, see what he's thinking," Daniels explained. "But whatever play gets called, I just go out there and execute."

Redshirt freshman Jack Sears filled in admirably for Daniels this weekend against ASU, and was proud of the way the team fought, despite the loss. "It was a dream come true to be able to start a game in the Coliseum for USC and continue the legacy and the tradition that we have in the Coliseum," Sears said. "Obviously, it wasn't the outcome we were looking for. Wish we could have started out a little hotter, wish I could have started a little more efficient, but it was fun to see our team fight back and see what we're made of with our backs against the wall. Even though it was a loss, we found a little bit more of our identity."

Daniels and Sears, as well as USC's running backs and wide receivers, practiced with wet balls today to prepare for the chance of rain in Corvallis, Ore. this weekend.

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