Buried down the list of storylines emanating from USC's latest loss Saturday night, there was a change along the Trojans offensive line that had nothing to do with injuries.
Yes, right tackle Chuma Edoga missed the game with a knee issue and was replaced by redshirt-freshman Jalen McKenzie. But next to him, fellow redshirt-freshman Alijah Vera-Tucker ended up almost splitting snaps with entrenched starter Andrew Vorhees.
According to Pro Football Focus' data, Vera-Tucker played 35 snaps at right guard to Vorhees' 38. Both graded out similarly with Tucker getting a 64.6 overall from PFF (out of 100) and Vorhees a 63.2.
Vera-Tucker, who had a nice block to help spring Aca'Cedric Ware on his 44-yard run late in the first quarter, graded out slightly higher in run blocking (63.3-57.8) while Vorhees had the edge in pass protection (84.6-71.3).
USC coach Clay Helton confirmed, though, that the split reps were purely the result of Vera-Tucker earning a larger role.
"We did it based on rotation. Alijah, the light has really come on for him," Helton said Sunday night. "And he's really, he reminds me right now of where we were, if you remember, with Jordan Simmons -- kind of that sixth man that can come in and do a nice job. He's doing that for us right now. He's going into his second year, and I talked about that group -- that group of five that I think is going to be a really dynamic offensive line -- he's one of those guys that's got a very, very bright future and has earned and garnered reps to be in the game.
"So I'm proud for him. He's doing a nice job, played well last night."
USC is set to lose three starting offensive linemen after this season in Edoga, maligned center Toa Lobendahn and left guard Chris Brown while sophomore left tackle Austin Jackson and Vorhees, also a sophomore this fall, return.
Helton, of course, has shown no interest in giving redshirt-freshman Brett Neilon or true freshman Justin Dedich a chance at center in place of his struggle fifth-year senior.
But it can't be a coincidence that Vera-Tucker's expanded opportunity came in the second game after Tim Drevno took the reins of the USC offensive line. Vera-Tucker had played just 11 snaps combined over the previous six games, according to PFF.
Helton was asked if he'd look to give more playing time to younger guys over the rest of the season now that the Trojans have no shot at the division title. It doesn't sound like any further changes are forthcoming in that regard.
"Well, a lot of them are playing. You saw the other night, there's a bunch of rookies out there that are learning on the run and are making good plays and making some mistakes," Helton said. "... We're playing a lot that are already in there, and they're making some good plays and they're making some plays that we'll coach them to get better."
Yes, right tackle Chuma Edoga missed the game with a knee issue and was replaced by redshirt-freshman Jalen McKenzie. But next to him, fellow redshirt-freshman Alijah Vera-Tucker ended up almost splitting snaps with entrenched starter Andrew Vorhees.
According to Pro Football Focus' data, Vera-Tucker played 35 snaps at right guard to Vorhees' 38. Both graded out similarly with Tucker getting a 64.6 overall from PFF (out of 100) and Vorhees a 63.2.
Vera-Tucker, who had a nice block to help spring Aca'Cedric Ware on his 44-yard run late in the first quarter, graded out slightly higher in run blocking (63.3-57.8) while Vorhees had the edge in pass protection (84.6-71.3).
USC coach Clay Helton confirmed, though, that the split reps were purely the result of Vera-Tucker earning a larger role.
"We did it based on rotation. Alijah, the light has really come on for him," Helton said Sunday night. "And he's really, he reminds me right now of where we were, if you remember, with Jordan Simmons -- kind of that sixth man that can come in and do a nice job. He's doing that for us right now. He's going into his second year, and I talked about that group -- that group of five that I think is going to be a really dynamic offensive line -- he's one of those guys that's got a very, very bright future and has earned and garnered reps to be in the game.
"So I'm proud for him. He's doing a nice job, played well last night."
USC is set to lose three starting offensive linemen after this season in Edoga, maligned center Toa Lobendahn and left guard Chris Brown while sophomore left tackle Austin Jackson and Vorhees, also a sophomore this fall, return.
Helton, of course, has shown no interest in giving redshirt-freshman Brett Neilon or true freshman Justin Dedich a chance at center in place of his struggle fifth-year senior.
But it can't be a coincidence that Vera-Tucker's expanded opportunity came in the second game after Tim Drevno took the reins of the USC offensive line. Vera-Tucker had played just 11 snaps combined over the previous six games, according to PFF.
Helton was asked if he'd look to give more playing time to younger guys over the rest of the season now that the Trojans have no shot at the division title. It doesn't sound like any further changes are forthcoming in that regard.
"Well, a lot of them are playing. You saw the other night, there's a bunch of rookies out there that are learning on the run and are making good plays and making some mistakes," Helton said. "... We're playing a lot that are already in there, and they're making some good plays and they're making some plays that we'll coach them to get better."
