Clay Helton is preparing for Stanford, injury updates, and more in Tuesday’s post game press conference

USC coach Clay Helton spoke with the media after practice on Tuesday and is impressed with what he saw from Stanford’s one game this season against Kansas State. He wants the team to get used to the speed they are likely to see against Stanford so he spend time with the ones playing the ones.

QB Ryan Burns was extremely efficient and showed plenty of talent according to Helton. He also stated that the Stanford receivers are very solid and expects Stanford coach David Shaw to continue to use more 3 wr sets and spreading the ball out more. Helton went on to imply that spreading the ball out more will make it hard to dial in on McCaffrey which is what most opposing defenses try to do with Stanford.

Helton also made the announcement that Osa Masina and Don Hill are no longer allowed to participate in football activities.

Injury News

Marvell Tell moved around a little bit in practice on Tuesday with no contact but showed no symptoms. He will meet with team doctors again to determine if he is cleared to play on Saturday. Tell left the game against Utah State with dizziness.

Zach Banner was out of practice on Tuesday because of a stomach bug but Helton is hopeful he will return to practice soon. Noah Jefferson is still dealing with a shoulder injury he is probably 50/50 for the upcoming game against Stanford but Helton thinks it is unlikely he will play. Ronald Jones has a thigh contusion sat out of parts of practice. RoJo also had a rib injury against Utah State but Helton says that has healed up. Helton is happy with the way Aca'Cedric Ware stepped up when RoJo went out.

Focus on Physicality:

Helton stated the team’s lack of physicality was a major factor in Stanford defeating USC in last year’s Pac-12 Championship game. Helton pointed out that USC took the lead in 3rd quarter of that game but that the Cardinal came storming back because they were the more physical team. Helton has spent all offseason and fall practices attempting to improve the team’s physicality. There was a decided lack of physicality against Alabama in week one but significant improvement in week 2. Physicality will be one of the main areas USC will need to keep improving every week as they enter conference play.

Better Bring your A game:

Helton had this to say about the season:

“We’re playing the Pac-12 champions . . . as we move forward . . . every team in this league if you don’t play your best you are going to get beat. Its just the way it is, and from here on out its all Pac-12 and Notre Dame so you better bring your A game every week.”

You can watch the full presser below:

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