Trojans begin “non-traditional” bye week
The Trojans clinched a bowl-game berth behind a career performance from redshirt junior quarterback Cody Kessler in their 44-17 rout over Washington State on Saturday.
With the win, USC (6-3, 5-2 Pac-12) avenged last year’s 10-7 home loss to the Cougars (2-7, 1-5), while also staying alive in the Pac-12 South race.
Win the day · Redshirt junior quarterback Cody Kessler recorded yet another impressive performance during Saturday’s 44-17 win over Washington State, putting up a career-high 400 yards through the air. – Mariya Dondonyan | Daily Trojan
Offensive Outburst
Kessler broke his previous single-game passing record — 394 yards against Fresno State in this year’s season-opener — with 400 yards through the air against the Cougars’ defense. The Bakersfield, California, native found the end zone on five different occasions during the game, three times to true freshman wideout JuJu Smith. Kessler has now thrown for 25 touchdowns and only two interceptions on the season.
More than half of Kessler’s yardage went to junior wide receiver Nelson Agholor, who picked up a career-high 220 receiving yards. Agholor also added two touchdowns, one through the air and the other on a punt return.
The young USC offensive line, which played its first game without redshirt sophomore left tackle Chad Wheeler, drew praise for its impressive play against the Cougars.
USC head coach Steve Sarkisian specifically pointed to true freshman Toa Lobehdahn, who shifted over to Wheeler’s spot at left tackle, and redshirt freshman Khaliel Rodgers, who started at left guard. Overall, Sarkisian said he was proud of the three freshman on the offensive line, including true freshman guard Damien Mama.
Taking the Week Off
After taking care of business in Pullman, Washington, the Trojans now enter a bye week, which will give the team some extra time to rest and prepare for a Thursday night tilt with Cal on Nov. 13.
After the Golden Bears, the Trojans will finish their season with two big rivalry games against UCLA at the Rose Bowl and then Notre Dame at home.
Sarkisian is rewarding his team by giving them the entire week off, meaning the Trojans won’t be back on the field until Saturday.
“We need a chance to regroup, reenergize and come out and play three really good football games coming out of the bye,” Sarkisian said.
The first-year coach acknowledged that this will not be a traditional bye week, which usually includes at least two days of practice, and that his players needed a break. Still, the team’s focus during the week will be shifted to rehabilitating and weight training in order to get ready for the end of the season.
“Being a USC football player is not a sometimes thing, it is an all-the-time thing,” Sarkisian said.
Injury Report
The team got some good news over the weekend, as none of USC’s injuries from the Washington State game seemed to be serious.
After undergoing an MRI exam, there appeared to be nothing structurally wrong with the right knee of sophomore linebacker Su’a Cravens, which he injured during the second quarter of Saturday’s game.
There is still no timetable, though, on when Cravens will be able to return to the field.
“We’ll see how quickly he can come back from this,” Sarkisian said.
Sarkisian also gave an update on the status of senior defensive back Josh Shaw during his Sunday night teleconference, saying that it was still a difficult process, though he was hopeful that the cornerback would be able to return to the field this season.
Shaw was suspended from the team in late August after he admitted to lying about how he suffered sprains to both ankles.