University Southern California Trojans
2019 Fresno State Tuesday: Notes
August 27, 2019 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
Click the play button above to watch Clay Helton's Tuesday press conference.
As game day inches closer, the Trojans are dialed in on Fresno State.
- QB Jack Sears has decided to enter the transfer portal and remove himself from the team to focus on graduating this semester and exploring other opportunities. "He's done everything for us and I don't hold it against him at all," head coach Clay Helton said. "He's competed here. He's given his absolute best effort at all times. He's been a great teammate, and now he's going to be a graduate of this university."
- The Trojans were visited by new USC president Dr. Carol Folt today. They gave the 12th USC president a No. 12 jersey. "Being able to have Dr. Folt, our president, walk out here and inspire our group, it was awesome. When the leader of your university takes her time to come out and spend her time with us, it really inspired the players."
- On the field, the Trojans are itching to shake off last year's frustrations and show the world their new offense. "I can't wait to see it live and in person," Helton said. "We put almost 40 practices into this thing and we look forward to seeing our investment."
- New OC Graham Harrell expects the offense to grow throughout the season, but he has high expectations for Saturday. "There's always improvements to be made, but they're doing a heckuva job and I'm encouraged by what I see," he said.
- At all positions, Harrell has tried to "eliminate the thinking, eliminate the hesitation." That includes the offensive line, which he praised for its growing chemistry led by five third-year players who all came to USC together. "This offense is going to go as the offensive line goes," he said. "They set the tone for the physicality of the offense. They set the tone for the tempo of the offense."
- On the outside, everyone is excited about this receiving corps which is stacked, two-deep with elite talent. Since JT Daniels was named the quarterback, the wideouts have been able to zero in on building chemistry with the sophomore. "JT looks way more poised than he has ever before," sophomore WR Amon-Ra St. Brown said. "Looks comfortable out there. He's throwing it great. I think we're all ready to put it behind us and get started."
- Senior leader Michael Pittman Jr. credits the transformation of this team's confidence to the offseason workouts and change in practice habits. "I feel like we're more physically built than we were last year," he said. "I feel like we practice harder, we've had more tackle practices."
- With one season to go, Pittman does not want to leave USC with any regrets. "I've just put in more work and done everything I feel necessary to reach those goals," he said. "I don't want to feel like, 'What if?'"
- Unanimously, the Trojans are tired of beating up on each other and ready to take a bite out of the Bulldogs. "You can feel the energy, the juice," Helton said. "We look forward to competing Saturday. I can't wait."
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, June 23
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