University Southern California Trojans
2018 Cal Tuesday: Notes
November 06, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans prepared for their Pac-12 North opponent California on a chilly Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
- Full injury report, per USC head coach Clay Helton: CB Olaijah Griffin (shoulder), CB Chase Williams (knee) and LB Levi Jones (hip pointer) all returned to practice. QB Matt Fink (broken ribs) threw passes but is not cleared for contact. WR Michael Pittman Jr. (shoulder), RB Stephen Carr (high ankle sprain), CB Greg Johnson (shoulder), CB Iman Marshall (foot and ankle sprain) and LB Juliano Falaniko (concussion protocol) all sat out.
- Helton said it's unlikely that Pittman will play vs. Cal on Saturday. In the event that Pittman sits, Tyler Vaughns and Amon-Ra St. Brown will likely start on the outside with Velus Jones Jr. inside, with freshman Devon Williams rotating in.
- Williams followed up his first career catch on Saturday with his first career touchdown, and finished the game with 3 catches for a team-high 77 yards. "It felt pretty good," said Williams of his breakout performance. "I just had to fill my role when my name was called."
- USC QB JT Daniels is confident in his rotation of receivers even if Pittman can't go. "Guys like Devon, Josh [Imatorbhebhe], Trevon [Sidney], all these other guys, I think they're ready if they have to step up."
- Though Marshall's status is in doubt, Helton is energized by the return of freshman CBs Griffin and Williams, and noted that Ajene Harris and Jonathan Lockett have played well after being thrust into different positions the last two weeks. "We've got six good men out there," Helton said of the corner position. "Hopefully we gain a couple more by the end of the week."
- Carr's ankle sprain is significant enough that it may keep him out on Saturday, but Helton is pleased with senior RB Aca'Cedric Ware's recent performances. "He's that blue collar, every day, show up and grind worker," Helton said. "There are probably men that run faster, probably men that are bigger, maybe stronger, but you're going to look up and every day you're going to get his best effort. And usually his best effort is a 100-yard game or more."
- Ware gave all the credit for his 205-yard performance on Saturday to the big men blocking for him. "The offensive line did their thing the other night," he said.
- Helton said that last year's game vs. Cal was the toughest of the season for former QB Sam Darnold, and that Daniels will have a lot to handle against Cal's defense. "They do a tremendous job of showing you one thing and doing another," Helton said. "[Cal head coach] Justin Wilcox is a masterful defensive coach, then you put [Cal defensive coordinator Tim] DeRuyter with him, that combination makes it hard on you.
- Tuesday marked the midterm elections across the United States, and Helton said he encouraged the student-athletes to exercise their civic duty. "We do have those discussions with the team on the ability to practice the greatest thing in the world, our freedom and our right to vote" Helton said.
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