USC broke out of its routine a bit today and incorporated some different periods to prepare for Arizona's up-tempo offense. Here's the news:
There was one notable lineup change in today's practice, as true freshman CB Olaijah Griffin worked predominantly with the first team. It looks like he's going to make his first career start.
"I thought it was inconsistent on the left side," DC Clancy Pendergast said of the cornerback play in the Washington State game. "Too many explosive plays. ... There were some things that we needed to get cleaned up from that game and so we made the corrections and are moving on. It's a quick turnaround with a different offense."
Griffin has appeared in each game and has seen his role steadily increase. Today was the first practice in which he was clearly ahead of Isaiah Langley and Greg Johnson.
"I think he's a player that's really instinctive," Pendergast said of Griffin. "You saw that in fall camp. I can see him continue to grow as the season's gone on."
Naturally, Griffin is looking forward to the opportunity.
"My confidence is really up high right now," he said. "As long as I just keep working and get more reps with the ones I'm going to be even more confident."
He said the speed of the game hasn't been a particularly big adjustment for him thus far.
"It's something that Ive been doing all my life," Griffin said. "I've been working out with guys bigger than me, stronger than me, faster than me. And then going against these guys in practice is just making me play better, even in games."
Speaking of new starters, I asked Pendergast about safety Talanoa Hufanga and whether he's been surprised at all by how quickly he's produced after basically being thrown into a prominent role.
"A little bit," he said. "If he gets a full week of practice at one position, he's a guy that you rarely have to tell him something twice. So he's a very coachable kid, I think we'll all be glad that hes gongn to play this early as a true freshman on down the line. He's gaining a lot of valuable experience."
Pendergast then revealed that Hufanga and several other defensive players were less than 100 percent, health-wise, going into the Wazzu game.
I asked him about the peculiar ratio USC currently has -- 29 pass breakups without a single interception. He said
"Believe me, we talk about it a lot and maybe we're trying too hard," Pendergast said. "We stay out here, we throw balls. We talk about location of ball, location of reading the quarterback, location of receiver and location of down the field between the defensive player and the receiver. ...
"It's definitely something that we're not happy about, with the fumbles either."
***
Injuries:
DL Jay Tufele (illness) increased his workload.
OL Andrew Vorhees (sternum) returned to practice and split first-team reps with Alijah Vera-Tucker.
LB Porter Gustin (knee) remained limited. (Again, Helton said this is preventative.)
WR Josh Imatorbhebhe has started to take part in some periods this week after being out nearly two months with a high ankle sprain.
OT Jalen McKenzie (back) didn't practice.
TE Erik Krommenhoek was absent because of an exam
***
Cam Smith broke up a pair of passes from JT Daniels, one of which was picked off by Marvell Tell. Daniels also threw an interception to Jordan Iosefa. The passing offense was pretty off throughout practice.
Biggie Marshall had a pick-six versus the scout team.
Markese Stepp bowled over Talanoa Hufanga during a long run in 11-on-11.
In the final period of the day, Griffin was beaten on a long throw from Jack Sears to Jake Russell, who made a stupendous, one-handed diving grab. One play later, Sears was under pressure and forced a ball downfield that Griffin picked off.
We also have video interviews with Pendergast, Griffin and DL coach Kenechi Udeze.
There was one notable lineup change in today's practice, as true freshman CB Olaijah Griffin worked predominantly with the first team. It looks like he's going to make his first career start.
"I thought it was inconsistent on the left side," DC Clancy Pendergast said of the cornerback play in the Washington State game. "Too many explosive plays. ... There were some things that we needed to get cleaned up from that game and so we made the corrections and are moving on. It's a quick turnaround with a different offense."
Griffin has appeared in each game and has seen his role steadily increase. Today was the first practice in which he was clearly ahead of Isaiah Langley and Greg Johnson.
"I think he's a player that's really instinctive," Pendergast said of Griffin. "You saw that in fall camp. I can see him continue to grow as the season's gone on."
Naturally, Griffin is looking forward to the opportunity.
"My confidence is really up high right now," he said. "As long as I just keep working and get more reps with the ones I'm going to be even more confident."
He said the speed of the game hasn't been a particularly big adjustment for him thus far.
"It's something that Ive been doing all my life," Griffin said. "I've been working out with guys bigger than me, stronger than me, faster than me. And then going against these guys in practice is just making me play better, even in games."
Speaking of new starters, I asked Pendergast about safety Talanoa Hufanga and whether he's been surprised at all by how quickly he's produced after basically being thrown into a prominent role.
"A little bit," he said. "If he gets a full week of practice at one position, he's a guy that you rarely have to tell him something twice. So he's a very coachable kid, I think we'll all be glad that hes gongn to play this early as a true freshman on down the line. He's gaining a lot of valuable experience."
Pendergast then revealed that Hufanga and several other defensive players were less than 100 percent, health-wise, going into the Wazzu game.
I asked him about the peculiar ratio USC currently has -- 29 pass breakups without a single interception. He said
"Believe me, we talk about it a lot and maybe we're trying too hard," Pendergast said. "We stay out here, we throw balls. We talk about location of ball, location of reading the quarterback, location of receiver and location of down the field between the defensive player and the receiver. ...
"It's definitely something that we're not happy about, with the fumbles either."
***
Injuries:
DL Jay Tufele (illness) increased his workload.
OL Andrew Vorhees (sternum) returned to practice and split first-team reps with Alijah Vera-Tucker.
LB Porter Gustin (knee) remained limited. (Again, Helton said this is preventative.)
WR Josh Imatorbhebhe has started to take part in some periods this week after being out nearly two months with a high ankle sprain.
OT Jalen McKenzie (back) didn't practice.
TE Erik Krommenhoek was absent because of an exam
***
Cam Smith broke up a pair of passes from JT Daniels, one of which was picked off by Marvell Tell. Daniels also threw an interception to Jordan Iosefa. The passing offense was pretty off throughout practice.
Biggie Marshall had a pick-six versus the scout team.
Markese Stepp bowled over Talanoa Hufanga during a long run in 11-on-11.
In the final period of the day, Griffin was beaten on a long throw from Jack Sears to Jake Russell, who made a stupendous, one-handed diving grab. One play later, Sears was under pressure and forced a ball downfield that Griffin picked off.
We also have video interviews with Pendergast, Griffin and DL coach Kenechi Udeze.
