Season Beef

When USC ended up being chosen to relax and play in the getaway Bowl last period, Coach vowed to get ready their staff for just what he regarded as a crucial game, whether or not it absolutely was simply a mid-tier dish.

“To myself, it’s as important since the Notre Dame online game, the UCLA game, ” Helton said during the time.

However USC skimped on dish practices. Teams can practice 15 times. USC had a lot more than three days between its loss in Pac-12 Conference Championship game therefore the dish game, however it used just seven practices. As well as the practices were faster than normal, occasionally considerably therefore. Some lasted an hour or less.

USC lost a sloppy game to Wisconsin, 23-21.

The Trojans don’t understand their dish destination this season. The Rose Bowl or even the Alamo Bowl will be the most likely landing spots, with an at-large quote to the Cotton Bowl in addition possible.

No matter where USC eventually ends up, it will have a beefier practice routine.

“We’re planning to wind up using three weeks to operate regarding the game plan, is my objective, once we determine where we’re going, ” Helton stated on a teleconference with reporters Sunday. “i truly desire to be capable place a game title plan collectively and possess three months of preparation for that online game.”

Helton said methods would follow USC’s in-season schedule, which comprises a light rehearse on Mondays and complete sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The excess 15 practices are one of the main benefits of qualifying for a bowl game. Sessions early in the day in December offer an opportunity to devote time for you to redshirt players and underclassmen and never have to bother about preparing the starters for a casino game.

Helton said however set-aside time “at the end of practice to greatly help develop our young adults additionally, people that will likely be critical for united states the following year.”

USC’s wellness has given it more choices. Three players are out for period due to leg injuries — receiver Steven Mitchell, who was simply injured against Arizona; center Toa Lobendahn, who was injured into the season-opener against Alabama; and protective tackle Kenny Bigelow Jr., who was simply injured during spring practices. Usually, USC’s just player with a substantial injury is operating straight back Aca’Cedric Ware, who's in concussion protocol after using a blow to the mind within the season finale against Notre Dame.

Last season, USC had been even worse for use, and Helton performedn’t wish to jeopardize even more players.

“We truly felt like we needed a two-week break to really get fresh, ” Helton stated at the time.

No difficult emotions

Helton offered conciliatory remarks toward Notre Dame after certainly one of its people, defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, ended up being caught on digital camera jostling Ware’s head together with base just after Ware sustained his concussion. Tillery in addition was penalized later on inside online game for stomping on the ankle of USC unpleasant tackle Zach Banner.

“It was an unhealthy choice by a individual, and I understand that’s perhaps not Notre Dame football & most crucial, that is perhaps not, ” Helton stated, referring to the Notre Dame mentor. “He’s been a class work the entire means.”

Notre Dame failed to make Tillery available for comment following the online game. On Monday, Tillery granted an apology on Twitter, saying he took full responsibility for his activities and they were “out of character.”

Kelly stated he would hold Tillery responsible if Kelly discovered Tillery had made an error.

“I’ve constantly known Brian as a person of class and stability and I also understand he’ll treat it with him, ” Helton said.

Final tally

USC’s sluggish begin dragged it out of this top 25 in nearly every analytical category in team yardage and rating. The one exception ended up being scoring security, where USC ranked 25th, quitting 22.2 points per game.

Two specific people cracked the most effective 10 in some metrics. Quarterback Sam Darnold completed their regular period 10th nationwide in quarterback score, at 161. He was 21st in yards per pass, 8.4.

Adoree’ Jackson ranked near the top of every return category. He had been fourth in punt return average (15.9 yards) and 6th in kickoff return average (30.5 yards). He tied for 2nd in both punt return touchdowns and kickoff return touchdowns, with two each. The four ratings tied for first in total return touchdowns.