Highlights from Coach Clay Helton's post-practice interview with the media (the USC athletic department said it likely wouldn't post its video because of the loud music that was playing in the background):
He said Clancy Pendergast's defensive package was intentionally limited so as not to show too much; the defense basically played the offense straight up with almost no blitzing.
Helton, who spoke with the quarterbacks Friday, reiterated that Max Browne is in the lead but added he's surprised by how Darnold has played in just his first spring. (He expected a big separation coming into spring between Browne and the other quarterbacks.)
Helton wants to watch the tape from the scrimmage and then meet with the quarterbacks again on Monday to notify them whether he's ready to announce a starter or going to extend the competition to the fall.
He said from the naked eye he didn't see a lot of separation between Browne and Darnold in the spring game.
Helton offered this take on the defense over the past five weeks: "I learned how aggressive Clancy's package is as far as blitzes. We had a very hard time with it. It really helped us be a better offense coming out of this camp, having to go through some very tough situations that he brings. They're playing faster than I've seen over the last couple years and I'm excited about where they are moving forward to."
Helton was also asked who would start at running back. "If we were in a must-win situation right now, you probably hand the ball to 22. He's playing at the highest level."
Rising sophomore DT Noah Jefferson hyperextended his elbow during the first series of the scrimmage. The injury is not expected to limit him in the fall.
We have a lot more interviews that we'll be publishing as we transcribe them.
He said Clancy Pendergast's defensive package was intentionally limited so as not to show too much; the defense basically played the offense straight up with almost no blitzing.
Helton, who spoke with the quarterbacks Friday, reiterated that Max Browne is in the lead but added he's surprised by how Darnold has played in just his first spring. (He expected a big separation coming into spring between Browne and the other quarterbacks.)
Helton wants to watch the tape from the scrimmage and then meet with the quarterbacks again on Monday to notify them whether he's ready to announce a starter or going to extend the competition to the fall.
He said from the naked eye he didn't see a lot of separation between Browne and Darnold in the spring game.
Helton offered this take on the defense over the past five weeks: "I learned how aggressive Clancy's package is as far as blitzes. We had a very hard time with it. It really helped us be a better offense coming out of this camp, having to go through some very tough situations that he brings. They're playing faster than I've seen over the last couple years and I'm excited about where they are moving forward to."
Helton was also asked who would start at running back. "If we were in a must-win situation right now, you probably hand the ball to 22. He's playing at the highest level."
Rising sophomore DT Noah Jefferson hyperextended his elbow during the first series of the scrimmage. The injury is not expected to limit him in the fall.
We have a lot more interviews that we'll be publishing as we transcribe them.
