USC’s defense was shell-shocked without middle linebacker Desman Stephens II.
Stephens was disqualified from the Oregon game in the second quarter due to a targeting call after delivering a punishing hit on sliding Ducks quarterback Dante Moore.
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The 6-foot-3, 250-pound junior celebrated as Moore remained down on the field for several minutes and was carted off and taken to a nearby hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion. USC went on to lose the game, 41-27.
The Trojans’ defense scrambled to recover without one of its leaders, and someone who has often worn the green dot on his helmet that signifies in-helmet communication with defensive coordinator Gary Patterson on the sideline.
“That was kind of a little bit of an overlooked piece of the Oregon game,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley told reporters during a Thursday Zoom call.
“Losing him for the rest of that game was definitely a challenge,” he said. “You’ve always got to be ready for it, but when it happens in-game with one of your better players and one of your leaders – you’ve got to be able to adjust.”
The No. 18 Trojans (4-1 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) will again be without Stephens for Saturday’s game against Washington (3-1, 1-1) due to a one-game suspension issued by USC, and have been preparing throughout the week for his absence.
Riley credited linebackers coach Mike Ekeler and outside linebackers coach AJ Howard for preparing the position group for what could be a much-needed bounce-back win against the Huskies, who are coming off a 27-24 loss to Minnesota.
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“I think they’ve got a good plan together,” Riley said. “Our guys know the rotations. They know who’s going to be playing, they know the subs. I feel like we’ve got a good plan together and having the whole week to know that (Stephens is out), I think the clarity has been very helpful for us throughout the week.”
Stephens is the team’s third-leading tackler with 19 total tackles in addition to 1½ tackles for loss, half a sack and a pass breakup.
USC will still have Deven Bryant at linebacker, whose 27 tackles rank first on the team. The next most productive linebacker, statistically, is Jadyn Walker, who has 10 tackles.
The defense will be up against Washington’s Demond Williams. The undersized but powerful, dual-threat quarterback’s 1,129 passing yards are fourth in the Big Ten. His strong and compact 5-foot-11 frame has allowed him to escape high-pressure situations and run for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
“He’s a great quarterback but, really, the main focus is staying on us,” Trojans defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart said. “Us just playing good as one as a D-line. Us controlling rush lanes. He’s a great runner, he’s a fast quarterback, and he’s not that tall, so it’ll be hard to take him down.”
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