2018 Notre Dame Wednesday: Notes

The Trojans enjoyed a lively practice on the eve of Thanksgiving as they continue to prepare for No. 3 Notre Dame.

The injury report remains mostly the same as yesterday's, per USC head coach Clay Helton. WR Devon Williams and CB Olaijah Griffin both missed practice with shoulder injuries. ILB John Houston Jr. (hamstring) is day-to-day.

If Houston can't go on Saturday, freshman LB Palaie Gaoteote IV will likely start at the WILL LB spot. "One thing that's going to really help him in this game is that he'll have Cam [Smith] right beside him," said Helton of Gaoteote. "He won't have to make all the calls and have to be the quarterback of the defense. Cam will get him lined up and he'll just have to focus on his responsibility and his task, rather than others."

Saturday will mark Smith's last game in the Coliseum, where he's been making plays for four years. While reflecting on his career accomplishments, the linebacker said, "I think being a two-time captain is something I'll always be proud of. I think I've had a lot of fun and made some great memories in the Coliseum. Starting as a true freshman was a huge accomplishment for me as well. I feel like I've had a lot of fun and just enjoyed my time here and I've lived it to the fullest."

Smith said his favorite game as a Trojan was USC's matchup vs. Notre Dame in 2016. "I remember that being one of the best days of what you can describe as football," he explained. "It was raining outside, it was November, it was USC/Notre Dame ... We just watched it and it had a different look to the film and I remember that being a really cool day."

Senior CB Iman "Biggie" Marshall will also play the final home game of his career on Saturday. "It's a blessing, but it's also kind of sad," Marshall said. "It's bittersweet, because of the simple fact that there's nothing like the Coliseum ... So I'm going to leave my all out there and do what I need to do."

Marshall is excited for the opportunity to compete against an undefeated team in primetime during his last game at the Coliseum. "They're a good, physical team," he said. "I'm excited to go up and see where I stand with my talents and my abilities."

Helton said that sending off this class of seniors, including Marshall and Smith, will be emotional for him. "They were the ones as freshmen who helped fight for a Pac-12 South title and helped me get the job," he said. "We won a Rose Bowl together and a Pac-12 title together ... It's a group that has done so much for me and my family, as well as our university and our football team.

Despite USC's disappointing record, Helton hopes that the Trojan Family shows up on Saturday to support the outgoing group of seniors. "I know the results are not what we wanted, but this is a group of young men that has done a lot for the program and for this university," he said. "I hope everybody comes out and celebrates Cam Smith, Porter Gustin, Marvell Tell, Biggie Marshall, Isaiah Langley, Toa Lobendahn, Chris Brown, Chuma Edoga, [Aca'Cedric] Ware ... I hope it's a great atmosphere, because when you talk USC/Notre Dame, that's why you come here."

Helton knows that the Trojans will have to give their all to defeat what he called the best Notre Dame team he's seen since he's been at USC. "It's an 11-0 football team that I think is playing at a high level in all phases," he said. "Really, really good college football team. They deserve where they're ranked. They'll get our best effort and I know we'll get their best effort."

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