LOS ANGELES — USC football is a stewardship of sorts. After the Trojans went 5-7 last season — the program’s first losing campaign since 2000 — head coach Clay Helton offered a short response when asked how things might be different this time around.
“If I had to say it in one word, I’d say accountability,” Helton said at Pac-12 Media Day in July. “Accountability to each other, accountability to our fundamentals, accountability to protecting the ball, taking the ball away and the accountability of not having penalties. Those are the things that cost us games last year.”
USC opened the current season with wins at home over Fresno State (31-23) and Stanford (45-20). Then came last week’s 30-27 overtime loss at BYU.
“It’s not a lot of time to feel sorry for yourself. That’s what everyone was saying: ’Hey, it’s one game, we’ve got to correct it and move on,’” Helton told reporters. “We plan on doing big things this season and it’s early in the season.”
The Trojans, though, have plenty of distractions to deal with as they prepare for Friday night’s game against 10th-ranked Utah at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Beside the recent resignation of athletic director Lynn Swann, there’s speculation that former Utah coach Urban Meyer could be courted to replace Helton. The rumor mill and hot seat have gotten a bit more toasty. Things were already challenging following a season-ending injury that sidelined highly touted quarterback JT Daniels in the opener. He was replaced by true freshman Kedon Slovis, who had a strong showing against Stanford.
Last weekend’s three-interception performance at BYU came next. However, it’s something Slovis isn’t dwelling on as USC prepares for Friday’s game against Utah at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
“You just got to stay positive and one thing you can’t let happen is you can’t lose your confidence. You do that and you’re screwed,” Slovis said in an Orange County Register report. “You got to try to do your best and keep throwing the ball and trust what you see.”
Slovis has plenty of reason to do so. The Trojans have top-notch receivers in junior Tyler Vaughns (23 catches), senior Michael Pittman Jr. (21 catches) and sophomore Amon-Ra St. Brown (14 catches). They’re the frontrunners in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell’s pass-oriented scheme.
“It’s a big challenge. They’ve got a great, talented wide receiver corps,” said Utah safety Terrell Burgess, who added that the Utes need to make sure they’re aligned in the right places and go out there and battle.
Junior running back Vavae Malepeai leads USC’s ground game with 272 yards rushing.
“There is no difference in their talent level now than any year we have played them since joining the Pac-12 in my estimation. They have a receiving core that is one of the best in the country,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “Of course the quarterback has only had a few games and was thrust in there due to injury. They have talent. It is USC. There is nothing different than what we have experienced for nine years now.”
Utah’s defense is focused — first and foremost — on making Slovis as uncomfortable as possible.
“Everything starts there,” Burgess acknowledged.
USC’s defense, meanwhile, is also an area of concern for the Utes. The Trojans have a cast that includes former Bingham High star Jay Tufele. The sophomore defensive lineman has 13 tackles through three games. Sophomore safety Talanoa Hufanga (28 tackles) and senior linebacker John Houston Jr. (26 tackles) are others to watch.
Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig said they’re very athletic and move around a lot.
“But mostly they’ve got great, talented players all the way across the board,” Ludwig continued.
Sophomore kicker Chase McGrath, who has put 25 points on the board, is another weapon for the Trojans.
EXTRA POINTS: USC has won eight straight home games over Utah. The last loss to the U. in L.A. was a 27-12 decision in 1916 ... Former Ute player and assistant coach Chad Kauha’aha’a oversees USC’s defensive line ... Whittingham is 3-5 overall against USC.
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No. 10 Utah (3-0) at USC (2-1)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Friday, 7 p.m. (MT)
TV: FS1
Radio: ESPN 700AM