USC hosts Utah as discipline, consistency issues linger…

Trojans will try to break bad habits and get back to winning at the Coliseum as they host Utah behind QB Kedon Slovis (9) in a Pac-12 clash

Adam Grosbard (OC Register)  —  LOS ANGELES — Old habits die hard, and bad habits die harder.

It’s why USC’s entire program – from players to coaches to associate AD Brandon Sosna – was running 12 sprints on Tuesday to atone for the 12 penalties accrued in last weekend’s win over Colorado.

And it’s why interim head coach Donte Williams lit into his team before Wednesday’s practice, calling them out for their flat energy and calling for more effort going about the rest of the day’s work.

Nearly four weeks removed from Clay Helton’s dismissal, USC is still displaying the same flaws that sunk his tenure: lack of discipline and lack of consistency. The Trojans can try to break out of those patterns Saturday against Utah with a win, which would give USC its first winning streak of the season.

And for USC (3-2, 2-2 in Pac-12) to end a two-game losing streak at the Coliseum.

“We do have a sort of focus on it this week,” Trojans wide receiver Drake London said. “I don’t think anybody should come into your own home and wreak havoc. You should do that yourself.”

In this unpredictable – to say the least – USC football season, the Trojans are undefeated on the road and still searching for their first Pac-12 home win.

It’s the inverse of what you’d expect, but USC has played with more energy and fight on the road, responding to adversity and coming out strong, than it has at the Coliseum, which on Saturday will require all fans 12 and older in attendance to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID test from the past 72 hours.

The Trojans have successfully defended the Coliseum against Utah (2-2, 1-0) throughout history – the Utes’ last road win over USC came in 1916, prior to the stadium’s construction – but nothing can be taken for granted this season.

“When you go on the road, it’s loud the whole game and you take pride in making sure the other team’s crowd leaves or they get shushed up a little bit,” Williams said. “At the same time, the last two home games we had, our crowd left early. So we have to change that mindset.”

When Utah has the ball

The Utes are still recovering from the death of cornerback Aaron Lowe, who was shot and killed two weekends ago before Utah’s bye week. It’s the second tragedy to strike Utah in a year, as running back Ty Jordan died in an accidental shooting in December.

Utah used the week off to try to come to terms with Lowe’s death, and help each other through the grief process, starting with the game Saturday and then flying to Texas for Lowe’s funeral on Monday.

“I think there’s some therapeutic value to that, help everyone lean on each and support each other,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “The only thing that will heal is time.”

On the football side of things, Utah made a midseason change at quarterback from Baylor transfer Charlie Brewer to sophomore Cam Rising, a game manager who doesn’t make mistakes but largely relies on the running attack to make the offense hum.

That will put the emphasis on the USC defense, which was gashed by Oregon State on the ground for 322 yards but did a good job of holding Colorado and Washington State in check.

When USC has the ball

The Trojans are coming off their most complete offensive performance of the season, passing for 276 yards and rushing for 218 more, the lone hiccup being a lost fumble. QB Kedon Slovis has settled into a rhythm the past two weeks, culminating in his three-touchdown, zero-interception day against Colorado.

He’s still feeding the ball to London, as you should when you throw to the country’s most-prolific receiver. But tight end Michael Trigg showed flashes against Colorado with his first career touchdown catch that he can provide the type of big, physical, complement to London that USC has lacked this year.

Utah (2-2, 1-0) at USC (3-2, 2-2)

When: Saturday, 5 p.m.

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

TV/Radio: Fox (Ch. 11) / 790 AM

ocregister.com

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