USC player notes for Oct 15th, 2018


Ajene Harris – Noteworthy
Until Southern California’s young offense can put together an entire game with as many brilliant plays as it crammed into the second quarter against Colorado, the Trojans’ defense will attempt to carry them toward the Pac-12 title. The defense came through with an awfully impressive lift Saturday night. Michael Pittman Jr. caught two of J.T. Daniels’ three touchdown passes, and USC’s defense dominated the first three quarters of a 31-20 victory over previously unbeaten No. 19 Colorado. Ajene Harris returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter for the Trojans (4-2, 3-1 Pac-12), who have rebounded from back-to-back losses with three straight wins. The defending conference champions asserted their supremacy over the upstart Buffaloes (5-1, 2-1) in the South division race while remaining unbeaten at the Coliseum in all 19 games under coach Clay Helton. “It was a win that allows us to control our destiny the rest of the way,” Helton said.

Tyler Vaughns also caught a TD pass from Daniels, who passed for 272 yards with two first-quarter interceptions and a handful of missed throws. USC’s offense only scored touchdowns in the second quarter, struggled to run the ball and relied heavily on big plays. None of it mattered while the Trojans’ defense limited Colorado’s high-powered offense to 265 yards – and a mere 164 in the first three quarters while USC took control with a 28-7 lead. “I was very proud of them,” Helton said of coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s defense. “It just felt like we were playing in their backfield the entire night, whether it was the running game or the passing game.” – AP College Football

Porter Gustin – Noteworthy – Injury
OLB Porter Gustin suffered a fractured ankle late in Saturday night’s 31-20 win over Colorado and will undergo surgery this week, missing the rest of his senior season, Trojans coach Clay Helton said Sunday night.Gustin (6-5, 260) is rated as the fifth-best senior outside linebacker available for the 2019 draft, according to NFLDraftScout.com. “Whoever gets (Gustin) in the NFL is going to get a rare commodity,” Helton said. Gustin is tied for second on the team with 28 tackles, including team-bests in tackles for loss (10) and sacks (seven). He faces a three- to four-month rehab before working out for NFL teams.