Trojans are focusing on red zone offense and defense

With a Thursday night game against Cal approaching quickly, head coach Clay Helton addressed the most pressing issues ahead of the game. Senior running back Justin Davis is listed as doubtful and did not participate in practice on Tuesday.

“Right now we’re pretty healthy with the exception of Justin,” Helton said. “Maybe we’ll have him back next week.”

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Ajene Harris and senior defensive back Leon McQuay III are both ready to compete in the game said Helton.

Taking it home

Helton said that one of the primary focuses of Tuesday’s practice was red zone offense, something that he said would be the most important aspect of the game.

“Any time you’re playing a team that scores 43 points, you better be scoring points of your own,” Helton said. “In this game I don’t think field goals are going to be good enough.”

Helton emphasized that the offense worked on not only the first and second down options for the red zone, but the third and fourth down game plans as well.

The red zone was also a focus for the defense with Helton saying that he wanted the defense to “bend, but not break” and keep the Golden Bear offense settling for field goals and not scoring touchdowns.

The defense has been preparing for an up-tempo Cal offense and wants to be able to match them.

Thursday night football

Since the football game is being held on a Thursday that is a school day, there will not be tailgating allowed on campus. The restriction for tailgating also extends to the Row. There are off-campus tailgates being held at the Coliseum, Exposition Park and at the Galen Center.

From 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m., there is a student-only tailgate at Jesse A. Brewer Park. The event is being hosted by the Undergraduate Student Government and is free.