With one statement, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Mason Murphy set the tone for practice, and the week, for USC football.
“We are going to f—ing work,” Murphy said.
At Tuesday’s practice, USC’s defense focused on speeding up its reaction time to offensive plays. With the defense stopping the run game, the Trojan running backs couldn’t run far before a pile of defensive players were ready to take the ball away.
When the safeties were executing one-on-one drills, defensive coordinator Alex Grinch reminded players that they “only get so many chances” to tackle and strip the ball away from their opponents.
The intensity USC brought to practice comes after the team moved to a 2-0 record with a win over Stanford 41-28. The Trojans forced two interceptions and two fumbles during Saturday’s game and scored on each of the possessions following the turnovers.
One of seven of redshirt junior defensive back Max Williams’ tackles resulted in a forced fumble against Stanford. Williams said he was just doing his job.
“I just saw the running back in an open space, came down and I didn’t know he fumbled until I got up and they were all scrambling on the ground,” Williams said. “Like, ‘Oh snap,’ because I didn’t know the ball popped out to be honest.”
Although it was a strong outing against the Cardinal, Williams knows that his job is not yet finished.
“I feel like I had a good performance, but there is always room for improvement,” Williams said. “I could never get complacent, so I have to come out here and practice hard every single day to get better.”
With only eight starters returning from last year’s team and a brand new coaching staff, it’s taking time for the team to build trust in one another. If there’s trust between the coaches and players, Riley believes the team can reach its lofty goals this season.
“It’s a two-way street,” head coach Lincoln Riley said. “We are building our trust in them. They are building their trust in us.”
Riley said the trust between coaches and players is getting better. But similar to Williams’ thoughts on improving his performance through practice every single day, Riley views trust as something the team needs to work on with every rep at practice as well.
“It’s not at 100% and it’s hard to get to that point,” Riley said. “But we are thriving to get there.”
With Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford returning to the team’s coaching staff after resigning two seasons ago, Riley doesn’t see many weaknesses in the Bulldogs’ execution. The real question is how USC’s defense will adjust its playing style against Fresno State’s dangerous passing game.
“We have to defend the throw game, but we have to be aware of [senior quarterback Jake Haener] because he makes so many plays with his feet,” Riley said.
Against Fresno State, the Trojans are looking to continue to prove they have what it takes to slow down one of the country’s most prolific offenses. Senior linebacker Shane Lee ended practice with an adjusted mindset going into Saturday’s game.
“Stay locked in, stay keyed and stay focused on what they do,” Lee said.