University Southern California Trojans
2018 Stanford Tuesday: Notes
September 04, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans hit the practice field hard on Tuesday to prepare for their first Pac-12 game of the season against Stanford.
- Injury report, per USC head coach Clay Helton: C Toa Lobendahn (pectoral strain) returned to practice after missing the season opener. LB Palaie Gaoteote IV (meniscus) participated the first half of practice. DL Liam Jimmons (sore toe) and TE Josh Falo (hamstring) also got some work.
- The Trojans know they have to practice at full intensity to come out on top of what's been a back-and-forth series against the Cardinal lately. "It's been a big rivalry, especially for my class that's in here now, we've been playing those guys a lot," said senior RB Aca'Cedric Ware, who had 100 yards on 10 carries against UNLV. "I know they're coming in ready to go, ready to play us, and we just gotta come and match the same intensity."
- One of Stanford's biggest weapons is RB Bryce Love. "You talk about a kid that has 4.3 speed, but has some of the best patience you've ever seen," said Helton of the 2017 Heisman Trophy finalist. "He's a kid who believes in his linemen. He hides right behind them, stays patient, and as soon as he sees a gap, he explodes."
- USC's defense worked on first and second down stops today, which Helton found key in their two wins over the Cardinal last season. "Them being at 3rd-and-7-to-10 compared to 3rd-and-1-to-3 — 3rd-and-1-to-3 vs. Stanford, they're the best in the world at making that."
- Helton also explained that the members of USC's secondary have their work cut out for them against the Stanford passing game. "They're as good a jump ball team as there is out there," Helton said. "[Stanford head coach] David [Shaw] has always recruited length and height at those positions."
- One Stanford receiver Trojan fans might keep an eye on this weekend is Osiris St. Brown, the older brother of USC freshman Amon-Ra St. Brown (pictured). USC's St. Brown said "it's going to be really fun" to play against his brother for the first time. The brothers faced off in the popular video game Fortnite this week, but haven't spoken much about the matchup.
- After throwing for 282 yards in his debut (a USC record), freshman QB JT Daniels is keeping his nose to the ground and working to prepare for this weekend's tough test. "As everyone knows with Stanford, they're just a super well-coached, well-disciplined, all-around good defense with a lot of really good players," he said.
Players Mentioned
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