Veterans lead team in face of adversity

Despite their three and three start to the season, the Trojans practiced with one goal Tuesday — to win the Pac-12 South title.

The team’s demeanor in practice parallels their dedication to interim head coach Clay Helton, who has remained optimistic about the season. The players’ impressive effort Tuesday signified that Helton has inspired them to the extent that they view him as USC’s head coach in the future.

“I think right now, my plan is for Helton to be the head coach, and I think that everyone on board is the same way,” said redshirt sophomore quarterback Max Browne. Browne, who just applied to graduate school, said that USC is “100 percent” where he will be playing in his collegiate future. “Everyone except for [Athletic Director] Pat [Haden] is kind of on the same page with that, and we’ve got to go out there and win some ball games. But it’s one week at a time, and we’re taking it from there.”

The Trojans have relied on Helton and veteran player leadership to guide them through this difficult time. Seniors, who have been through numerous coaching changes at USC already, have taken it upon themselves to create a culture of resilience on the team.

“As long as leaders such as myself are confident — as long as Cody Kessler is confident and JuJu Smith-Schuster is confident — the other guys will follow their leadership,” right tackle Zach Banner said. “It starts with the coach. Coach Helton has the best personality in college football. He’s really confident. We have six more games coming up that we have to win. And you know what? I am as confident as he is, so everything underneath me is the same.”

Banner said that as disappointing as their record may be, the team is still excited about their position in the conference. He added that USC’s goals start with beating a “monster” Pac-12 South opponent this week in   No. 3 Utah.

“We know if we win out one week at a time that our chances are pretty high of winning that South title,” Banner said.

“The guys inspired me today. Coming out here and having practiced like that after a tough loss, you can tell when and how much they want to win and represent the Trojan Family,” Helton said. “They want to get better as a team. We truly believe we are a great team, and that is something we’re really going to need as we prepare to play a good Utah team.”

Because the receiving corps has been depleted by injuries, wide receivers coach Tee Martin has had to utilize talents such as cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, who wore a red offensive practice jersey today, and ex-quarterback Jalen Greene at the wide out position.

Receivers Darreus Rogers, who left in the second half of the Notre Dame game with a hamstring injury, and Steven Mitchell Jr., who did not play because of his ankle, did not practice on Tuesday.

“The thing about Jalen [Greene] is that he is really intelligent, and we try to utilize all of his talent: throwing the ball a couple times this year and obviously as a receiver,” Martin said.

Helton added that Jackson, who exemplified his speed during an electric 83-yard touchdown Saturday, would play a “major roll” in the USC offense for the rest of the season.

“Whenever he touches the ball, everyone holds their breath, and that gives us a great advantage on offense,” Helton said.

Similar opportunities have arisen for freshmen such as slot receiver Deontay Burnett, who stepped up and performed in his first start at USC. Burnett, who made notable catches against the Irish, hopes that his production when on the field will prove that he can be a “big-time player” who will not “shy away from the moment” when given the chance.

“It was a surreal moment for me. Just getting my first start at USC and having a few big catches in a big time rivalry game was amazing,” said Burnett, who had three catches for 53 yards. “I felt like I was overlooked because of all the talent, but I didn’t let that stop me from working and keeping a good work ethic. I knew I had the mindset that I can play here.”

Offensive tackle Chad Wheeler did not practice because of concussion-like symptoms. Safety John Plattenburg, tight end Taylor McNamara and linebacker Michael Hutchings did not practice due to illness. Tailback Tre Madden did not practice again because of a sore knee.

“This team is practicing their butts off. There is no quit in them, and that is what we stress. We are going to fight on through every game of the season,” Helton said. “These guys compete and they want to show the world how good they are. You really get worried if you come out here and they are not chippy and they don’t have that madness in them when they go play.”

Like two of USC’s losses this season, the Trojans’ loss to Notre Dame will not impede their ability to compete for a Pac-12 South title — which gives USC players the fight to persevere through a stunning coaching change and two straight losses.

Helton said that Notre Dame’s defense was similar to that of Arizona State in that they constantly loaded the box, which prompted USC to pass and Kessler to accumulate more than 365 yards passing. Though Helton noted that USC put up significantly higher offensive numbers than many of Notre Dame’s previous opponents, he admitted that it wasn’t enough.

“At the end of the day, it is our responsibility as a coaching staff to do what is best for our players to put points on the board and outscore our opponent,” Helton said. “We did not Saturday. We needed to find a way to get 42.”

Helton acknowledged that eliminating “critical mistakes” such as blocked punts, missed field goals and penalties were heavily emphasized in today’s practice.

“I’ve been here six years now. And you know Los Angeles, you know USC, you know the Trojan Family and you know that the expectations are to win and that is what we are going to do,” Helton said. “We look forward to having a great second half of the season. I know exactly what the job entails and what the job demands, and I’m excited everyday I wake up to coach these guys because there is no quit in these guys and there is no quit in me.”