LOS ANGELES — Arguments. Honest dialogue. Self-reflection.
The USC football team’s locker room was a whirlwind of emotions after last week’s 24-7 loss to Wisconsin, and none of them were good ones.
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The defensive players who spoke to the media on Tuesday, however, said the experience has made the now-unranked Trojans (6-2 overall, 3-2 Big Ten) edgy going into this weekend’s matchup against No. 2 Ohio State (6-1, 4-0).
“Nobody was happy in the locker room,” defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart said. “We had a lot of arguments. But as a team, it’s what’s needed. We’ve got to just keep pushing forward, slowly get better each day, each practice and have a great game come this game.”
The Buckeyes are 7½-point favorites for Saturday’s game at the Coliseum, despite starting quarterback Julian Sayin being sidelined indefinitely due to an injury to his throwing arm.
USC is also the underdog due to a performance against the Badgers that was so poor that it has led to speculation about head coach Lincoln Riley’s future with the program, although he assured reporters on Tuesday that he’s not going anywhere.
The defense held the Badgers’ offense to 200 total yards, but couldn’t keep a tenacious running game out of the end zone when it counted.
Seven games into the season, the Trojans seem to still be learning how to trust each other on defense under defensive coordinator Gary Patterson.
“It’s a three-phase game: special teams, defense, offense,” safety Prophet Brown said. “We all could have been better in our own right, and I feel like, at times, nobody necessarily picked each other up. We kind of just let it happen and didn’t really step up for each other all the time.”
Brown added that fundamentals like eye discipline and technique are a priority this week, since Ohio State has had 38 passing plays go for 30 yards or more this season.
Team captains like defensive tackles Alex VanSumeren and Jide Abasiri have been getting on players in practice, making sure they’re up to standard in every movement.
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“Intensity, for sure. Physicality. Running to the ball,” Abasiri said of the tone at practice this week. “Executing all three sides of the ball. Going back to the details and the basics of football, I feel like, is what’s going to really help us make that next jump.
“Everyone’s just encouraged to go out there and prove to everyone the team that we think we are and that we know we are.”
The Coliseum will be sold out Saturday, and it will be the first time USC has played at home since the Washington game on Oct. 3.
Five unranked teams pulled off upsets against Top-25 opponents last week while playing on their home field. With the amount of parity in college football this season, a win isn’t entirely out of reach for the Trojans.
“I mean, it doesn’t hurt,” VanSumeren said of home-field advantage. “It doesn’t matter where we play – the goal is the same. I couldn’t care less other than the fact that he’s going to be great playing in front of our fans and this fan base. I know it’s going to be packed.”
FEASTER’S BREAST CANCER AWARENESS COLLECTION
USC freshman wide receiver Ethan “Boobie” Feaster is raising money for the Tigerlily Foundation and Kay Yow Cancer Fund by launching limited edition “I Heart Boobie” breast cancer awareness merch.
Pink and white hoodies, crew necks, long-sleeved shirts and short-sleeved shirts with “You wanna win, put Boobie in” printed on them are available in Feaster’s online NIL Store.
Feaster has played in every game this season and has 10 catches for 96 yards, with a season-long reception of 27 yards in the 41-27 loss to Oregon.
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