With No. 20 USC (5-2 overall, 4-1 Pac-12) set to face No. 19 Utah (5-1 overall, 2-1) in Salt Lake City this Saturday in a crucial matchup in the Pac-12 South Division race, Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian said that his team came out for Tuesday's full-pads practice session focused right from the get-go.
"I thought the guys came out with a good intention to work to improve, to really soak in the game plan, which is what Tuesdays are about -- really getting the meat and potatoes of the game plan installed, working through the kinks of it, and then getting it cleaned up in our meetings this evening and getting back on the field tomorrow for practice," Sarkisian said. "I think these guys understand the value of this game and what it means in conference standings, which is important to know."
At the top of Sarkisian's list of concerns is an attacking Utah defense that ranks No. 1 nationally in both sacks (5.5 per game) and tackles for loss (10.2 per game). Led up front by defensive end Nate Orchard, the Utes figure to provide quite a test for USC's improving, but still young offensive line.
"Utah plays a specific style that, in my opinion, is unique to them," Sarkisian said. "They've had great defensive linemen over the years in Star Lotulelei, and the Krugers and all of those different guys. Now it's kind of Nate Orchard's turn to be the lead guy for them. So, the best way to prepare for them is we have to go out and execute at a high level. We have to understand what we're going up against and the physicality that it's going to take for us to play with, and then we need to be creative with our play calls to make sure that we're taking care of our offensive line and putting them in positive positions to be successful."
Kessler hears from USC passing greats
USC quarterback Cody Kessler said that since throwing for a school single-game record seven touchdown passes this past weekend, he's received a steady flow of congratulatory messages, including from some notable USC signal-callers of the past in Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley.
"It's kind of cool because there's such a long tradition here," Kessler said. "The guys that I got to watch before me, to kind of hear from them and for them to reach out on different types of social media is a really cool feeling."
Kessler said that it was the message from Barkley -- whose record Kessler broke on Saturday -- that made the biggest impression.
"I think the most meaningful one was from Matt Barkley, just because it was his record, and he was like my big brother when he was here," Kessler said. "A lot of the stuff I learned here is from him. He taught me how to play the game here, and how to handle everything, and how to be off the field as well. And to be able to do that, and hear from him after on social media and then get a text was a really cool feeling."
Injury update
After heading to the sideline early against Colorado, freshman cornerback/wide receiver Adoree' Jackson (hip flexor) took part in the entirety of practice on Tuesday. "He came out of the game not as bad as maybe we first initially thought, and he's done a good job with his rehab, and he was able to get back on the field and really do quality work, so we're anticipating him good-to-go for Saturday,” Sarkisian said.
Wide receivers Ajene Harris (hamstring) and George Farmer (hamstring), who both were sidelined this past Saturday, also participated in the entire practice session.
Linebacker Hayes Pullard (knee) and safety Gerald Bowman (foot) suited up but were extremely limited. Sarkisian said that he is "relatively confident" that both will be ready by the end of the week.
Fullback Soma Vainuku (hamstring) suited up but was also limited. Linebacker Lamar Dawson (knee) remained limited as well.
Andre Heidari kicked field goals along with Alex Wood during the special teams period. Heidari has missed the last two games due to a groin injury.
News and notes
With a loud and spirited crowd potentially expected to be on hand in Rice-Eccles Stadium this Saturday, Sarkisian had crowd noise piped in during the Trojans' practice.
With Pullard limited in practice, sophomore Michael Hutchings took his place with the No. 1 defense at MIKE linebacker.
John Plattenburg and Leon McQuay III were the two starting safeties with Bowman sidelined during 11-on-11 periods.
During the field goal period, Heidari connected on 3-of-3 field goal attempts, including a 47 yarder. Wood went 2-for-3, with his miss coming on a 47-yard attempt.
Freshman wide receiver JuJu Smith blocked a punt during a special teams period.
There was a large number of NFL scouts in attendance on Tuesday, including those from the Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sarkisian said that the team will wear the new metallic-tinted helmets again this Saturday when they face Utah.