USC prepares to face last season’s runner up
Anybody’s game · Both the Trojans and the Ducks are riding a four-game win streak heading into Saturday’s matchup and both teams are 7-3, getting off to bad starts but improving since then. – Mariya Dondonyan | Daily Trojan
Interim head coach Clay Helton had the Trojans focus on three key aspects for their match-up against Oregon during practice Wednesday: ball security, third down efficiency and pass rush. For ball security, Helton’s key is to both protect the ball from Oregon and to cause turnovers on defense.
“You cannot give an extra possession to a dangerous Oregon offense,” Helton said.
On third downs, Helton would like to see the team continue to improve efficiency on both offense and defense. That will mean converting key third downs and shutting down Oregon in those situations to end the drive and get their defense off of the field.
In the last five weeks, the Trojans have had 19 sacks, which is something that Helton would like to see continue. For that to happen, Helton wants to see continued improvement with the defense’s pass rush.
“It’s a continued point of emphasis,” Helton said. “Something that we’ve committed to for the last five weeks.”
While continued strength from the defense will be key for the Trojans to come out with a win in Eugene, not having freshman inside linebacker Cameron Smith and senior inside linebacker Lamar Dawson since they suffered season-ending injuries at Colorado makes this difficult.
To fill the void in the middle, USC has freshman Uchenna Nwosu, sophomore Olajuwon Tucker and juniors Michael Hutchings and Jabari Ruffin.
“We’re kind of experimenting,” Helton said. “Training multiple guys.”
Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox spoke a bit more on Nwosu following practice, saying that he’s a tremendous athlete.
“He’s got good instincts,” Wilcox said. “He gets better the more he plays.”
Tucker, who has nine tackles this season, will probably be making a bigger impact on the field these final two games, but he isn’t feeling too nervous as the Oregon games draws closer. He’s looking forward to stepping up to the challenge both individually and as a team.
“I think it’s going to be a great physical game,” Tucker said. “The tougher team is going to win.”
Wilcox also praised redshirt senior defensive tackle Delvon Simmons.
“[He] is playing his best football,” Wilcox said. “He’s gotten better. It’s not by chance he’s improved.”
Looking forward to Oregon, Wilcox emphasized the Ducks’ tempo and how the Trojans are looking to step up to the challenge.
“Obviously they’re firing on all cylinders,” Wilcox said. “[They’re] playing really efficient[ly].”
Sophomore running back Royce Freeman will test USC’s recently improved run defense. Freeman has 1,392 yards this season, 12 touchdowns and averages 6.6 yards per carry.
Even though the Trojans are facing the conference’s top rusher, Wilcox isn’t approaching the game any differently.
“Every guy you line up against is the best player you’ve ever played against,” Wilcox said. “When you take that mentality — with technique and effort — you play well.”
Helton addressed the recent ups and downs of the kicking this season. Though he said kicking has been “spotty,” he praised Alex Wood for making two field goals against Colorado.
“I get a little frustrated when he kicks the ball out-of-bounds on the kick off,” Helton said. “But it’s something that we’re working hard on and trying to improve.”