The news of the day Thursday was coach Clay Helton's announcement that projected starting safety Bubba Bolden is now out indefinitely for undisclosed reasons. (
Read the details in our separate post on that matter.)
As for the rest of Helton's post-practice update Thursday, he touched on a couple key injury concerns, elaborated on the Trojans' rotation plans throughout the defense, talked about how he plans to use the running backs and, of course, offered some final thoughts on freshman quarterback JT Daniels' upcoming debut Saturday against UNLV.
Injury report (with Helton's comments)
-Left tackle Austin Jackson, who had been dealing with an ankle injury: "He looked very good today, anticipate him playing in the game."
-Outside linebacker Porter Gustin, who by all accounts is expected to play after missing most of the preseason with a torn meniscus: "Looked very good again today. We'll evaluate it tomorrow, but he looked very good."
-Center Toa Lobendahn, who is dealing with a pec strain: "Did not practice. Still questionable for the game. Not looking as good as the other two."
-Tight end Josh Falo (hamstring): "Did not practice today and not looking as good as the other two."
Lobendahn is obviously the key concern here, as USC could be pairing a true freshman QB with an inexperienced center in redshirt freshman Brett Neilon (with freshman Justin Dedich behind him).
Helton previously expressed his confidence in Neilon while noting that he probably could have contributed last year if the decision hadn't already been made to redshirt him. It sounds like he'll get a chance to prove himself early in this campaign.
Overall, though, Helton said he feels good about the general health of his offensive line.
"We had some bad luck last year and were young behind it. This year, you look at where we're going in right now, Chuma [Edoga] looks really good [at right tackle], Andrew [Vorhees] looks really good [at right guard], we'll see where Toa is at, Chris [Brown] looks really good [at left guard] and Austin [Jackson] looks great. And their backups are all there. So besides having Toa being questionable and not looking great like he's going to be there for us, we still have a two-deep that can get it done. So I'm glad about that."
Defensive rotations
Expect to see a lot of rotation throughout the defensive line, where the Trojans feel exceptionally confident about their depth.
"I think, one, we have a great opportunity to roll the interior guys very well with Malik [Dorton] and Jay [Tufele], as well as Brandon Pili and Marlon [Tuipulotu]," Helton said. "And then on the outside we feel very confident with the way Hunter [Echols] is coming on to be able to spell Porter, as well as we feel good with Kana'i [Mauga].
"So that's going to kind of be a waterfall to be able to exchange four men, and Clancy's done a wonderful job of making a pass-rush team also that can go in that's fresh bodies that can come in there and provide pass rush on third downs as well as two-minute situations. So you're going to see a lot of guys on the defensive front."
Helton also expects John Houston Jr. and Levi Jones to rotate at the Will linebacker, and for cornerbacks Greg Johnson (starter) and Isaiah Langley to pretty much split reps on that side of the field.
More thoughts on Daniels and the game plan
Helton said he feels offensive coordinator Tee Martin has put together a game plan that is "simple, but not easy."
"[We have] the ability to get guys open, but it's concepts that we have been running all spring, all fall that I think the kids are comfortable with," Helton said. "So I'm hoping to see a very clean offense with not a lot of missed assignments. I think Tee's done a wonderful job putting a good gameplay together, and I look forward to seeing it."
The Trojans test drove that game plan in their mock game last Saturday, which was closed to media, and each quarterback offered feedback on what they felt most comfortable running.
For his part, Helton seems plenty comfortable with running a true freshman QB out there Saturday in the mega-talented Daniels.
"I'm excited for him. He's put a lot of work and a lot of investment into having this opportunity, both in the offseason as well as this week," Helton said. "I'm looking forward to seeing exactly where we're at as an entire offense, where's our offensive line and running backs and establishing the run, the wide receivers -- especially the newcomers coming on board -- where are they at the first time they get in that stadium? And then just how JT handles everything. He's handled everything with such maturity and poise, I expect nothing less for him when he's there on Saturday."
Running back rotation
Sophomore tailback Stephen Carr has looked terrific all preseason, despite being listed as the third co-starter on the official depth chart released last Sunday.
Helton acknowledged he's still curious to see how Carr responds after missing the spring recovering from back surgery.
Carr rushed for 363 yards and three touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry last season, Malepeai had 261 yards on 5.3 YPC and Ware had 247 yards and one TD on 5.0 YPC as those three all got work behind lead back Ronald Jones.
"I's probably just a feel for the game. I think the one thing that's probably just a gray area, it's really Stephen's first game back off of back surgery. We've had contact, he looks good, but I really want to try to get a feel for it once we get in that game," Helton said. "You know, the beautiful thing is you have Ced and you have [Malepeai], who have had unbelievable camps. But I'm looking not only for this game but for the extended period of time when you're talking about hopefully 15 games that that three-headed monster can roll in there, keep those backs fresh and keep them healthy. So we will play all three backs in the game."
