2018 Spring Practice #11: Notes

The defense dominated in a high-energy practice at USC today.

USC head coach Clay Helton announced that LB Jordan Iosefa will have a minor knee surgery to repair cartilage, which will require a 3-4 week recovery. Iosefa is expected back by the start of summer workouts on June 1.

Another notable absence from practice was QBs coach Bryan Ellis, who welcomed a baby girl with his wife today. Much to his delight, Helton stepped in to fill the QB coach role. "It was my favorite day of the entire camp," Helton said. "I love it. I feel sorry for them. They got over-coached today. That was two and a half years of not getting to coach the quarterback all in one day."

Helton said that after getting a closer look at the quarterbacks, he'd like to see better ball security, but said, "overall, a good day for them and a great attitude from them. They're really showing up to get better each and every day."

The quarterbacks were under constant attack today from a fired up defense. On one play, LB Porter Gustin tipped a pass into the hands of DL Jay Tufele, who ran it all the way back for a touchdown, with his entire defense joining him for the ride. Tufele said it was the first interception and touchdown of his entire football career.

Gustin was happy to help contribute to that special moment for Tufele (pictured below). "You love to see someone like that get a chance to have the ball in his hands and get some glory there," he said.

Gustin also noted that he experienced his first earthquake today, a 5.3 quake off the coast of the Channel Islands in the Pacific Ocean. He called it "interesting," and "a cool experience."

USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast had a theory on why the defense was so rowdy today. "We wanted to come out here with an attitude and we really talk about not loafing at practice," he said. We came out here with the focus today, to really chase the ball and the guys knew that I was going to keep it pretty simple for them so that we could play fast and get a lot of the guys swarming to the ball. The red zone period, down here, that we had was good for us. I think it brought a lot of energy to the defense."

Pendergast also took time to praise CB Jonathan Lockett, who's getting back into the fold after two hip surgeries. "He has fought through the hip surgeries, being out a year and a half, he still continued to come to the meetings when he could and was really into the defense and wanted to know everything," Pendergast said. "As you can see today, there were some periods where he was running with the first group at cornerback and he has earned that. If you look at his production and the amount of times he does things right, the amount of times he gets his hands on balls, its been really impressive. His production has been good and I am real happy and proud for the kid."

Lockett acknowledged how difficult it was to watch his brothers suit up without him during his rehab. "It was very tough seeing them get ready for game day, and I was kind of down for a minute," the rising redshirt senior said. "But my parents talked to me, coaches talked to me, and it was all good."

Helton explained that Saturday's practice will be a free-flowing scrimmage. The practice is at 10 a.m. on Howard Jones Field and is free and open to the public.

Helton also implored fans to stay after practice to attend Swim With Mike, an event that raises money to fund scholarships for physically challenged athletes. It takes place at USC's Uytengsu Aquatic Center on Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m.

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