Here is the news from today's practice:
Coach Clay Helton said WR Amon-Ra St. Brown will start outside in place of Michael Pittman. ASB saw an uptick in reps Tuesday, as did Devon Williams and Josh Imatorbhebhe. Helton said Williams and Imatorbhebhe will rotate behind Vaughns and ASB, while Trevon Sidney will relieve Velus Jones in the slot.
WR Michael Pittman (shoulder) and RB Stephen Carr (ankle) are out for Saturday. Helton said there's a shot Pittman will be available next week.
CB Biggie Marshall (ankle) did not practice. As I reported Monday, the internal hope is that Marshall can get some work in by the end of the week and play against Cal on Saturday. Probably best to deem him questionable.
CB Olaijah Griffin (shoulder) appears to be full after being limited for the past couple weeks. Helton is hopeful that Griffin will be available for Saturday. He closed out Tuesday's practice with an interception against walk-on Brandon Perdue.
Jonathan Lockett and Isaiah Langley claimed the first-team reps. There are still a lot of moving parts that make it hard to say what the lineup will be in the defensive backfield this weekend. If Marshall is available, or Griffin is ready to start, that could push Lockett to nickel and Ajene Harris back to safety.
CB Greg Johnson (shoulder) did not practice.
DB Chase Williams (knee) returned to practice.
LB Levi Jones (hip) returned to practice.
LB Juliano Falaniko is in the concussion protocol.
QB Matt Fink (ribs) has begun throwing but is not cleared for contact.
***
Helton was asked about preparing JT Daniels for the multiple looks and defensive fronts Cal utilizes and he chuckled, noting that the communication on offense will be vital.
"It's not easy," he said. "I told the team today, going back and watching last year's game, this was probably the toughest game for Sam [Darnold] last year because of the coverage disguises. They do a tremendous job of showing you one thing and bailing to another."
Helton said Daniels has shown in his brief time at USC that he can "handle adversity, and keep poised about it and not get overemotional and not get frustrated."
"Whether things went good or things went bad, he kind of clears his slate," Helton said. "He's kind of like a coach."
Helton said he addressed the team about the midterm elections, encouraging them to vote.
I shot interviews with TB Aca'Cedric Ware, QBs coach Bryan Ellis, OL coach Tim Drevno and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown -- they'll be posted shortly.
Coach Clay Helton said WR Amon-Ra St. Brown will start outside in place of Michael Pittman. ASB saw an uptick in reps Tuesday, as did Devon Williams and Josh Imatorbhebhe. Helton said Williams and Imatorbhebhe will rotate behind Vaughns and ASB, while Trevon Sidney will relieve Velus Jones in the slot.
WR Michael Pittman (shoulder) and RB Stephen Carr (ankle) are out for Saturday. Helton said there's a shot Pittman will be available next week.
CB Biggie Marshall (ankle) did not practice. As I reported Monday, the internal hope is that Marshall can get some work in by the end of the week and play against Cal on Saturday. Probably best to deem him questionable.
CB Olaijah Griffin (shoulder) appears to be full after being limited for the past couple weeks. Helton is hopeful that Griffin will be available for Saturday. He closed out Tuesday's practice with an interception against walk-on Brandon Perdue.
Jonathan Lockett and Isaiah Langley claimed the first-team reps. There are still a lot of moving parts that make it hard to say what the lineup will be in the defensive backfield this weekend. If Marshall is available, or Griffin is ready to start, that could push Lockett to nickel and Ajene Harris back to safety.
CB Greg Johnson (shoulder) did not practice.
DB Chase Williams (knee) returned to practice.
LB Levi Jones (hip) returned to practice.
LB Juliano Falaniko is in the concussion protocol.
QB Matt Fink (ribs) has begun throwing but is not cleared for contact.
***
Helton was asked about preparing JT Daniels for the multiple looks and defensive fronts Cal utilizes and he chuckled, noting that the communication on offense will be vital.
"It's not easy," he said. "I told the team today, going back and watching last year's game, this was probably the toughest game for Sam [Darnold] last year because of the coverage disguises. They do a tremendous job of showing you one thing and bailing to another."
Helton said Daniels has shown in his brief time at USC that he can "handle adversity, and keep poised about it and not get overemotional and not get frustrated."
"Whether things went good or things went bad, he kind of clears his slate," Helton said. "He's kind of like a coach."
Helton said he addressed the team about the midterm elections, encouraging them to vote.
I shot interviews with TB Aca'Cedric Ware, QBs coach Bryan Ellis, OL coach Tim Drevno and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown -- they'll be posted shortly.
