USC gets good news on Eric Gentry and Mario Williams two days before UCLA game
The USC Trojans badly need Eric Gentry on the field for Saturday’s huge game against the UCLA Bruins in Pasadena. When the Trojans take the field at the Rose Bowl against the Bruins, they need Gentry’s high football IQ.
They need his leadership. They need his long strides, which can make up ground in closing down holes in the running game and in providing downfield pass coverage. They need his long arms, which get into passing lanes and deflect balls which are intercepted by his USC teammates in the secondary.
Lincoln Riley provided a new update on Gentry’s health status, as well as Mario Williams, two days before the UCLA contest. We have that news for you, plus some other USC football updates and insights:
THE NEWS
#USC HC Lincoln Riley expects Mario Williams and Eric Gentry to be available on Saturday against #UCLA.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 17, 2022
RILEY
#USC HC Lincoln Riley said the rivalry with UCLA will be more like OU/Oklahoma State rivalry because both are at the end of the season and there are some pretty direct repercussions from it.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 17, 2022
TRAGEDY
#USC HC Lincoln Riley on #Virginia OL transfer Bobby Haskins dealing with the tragedy at UVa" "It hit him hard like I think it would any of us in the same position. We've tried to surround him this week and be there for him. Definitely a bit of shock and mourning."
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 17, 2022
BOBBY HASKINS HEALTH UPDATE
#USC HC Lincoln Riley said he expects OL Bobby Haskins to be back in more of a full capacity going forward after being banged up recently.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 17, 2022
SHORING UP THE SECONDARY
#USC HC Lincoln Riley talking about the nickelback spot: "We don't want toy soldiers out there. We want playmakers."
Being in the right place is a good step, but now they need guys to finish plays.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 17, 2022
AWARDS SEASON
#USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu named one of four finalists for Bronko Nagurski Trophy:https://t.co/Bs6zYeDVSV via @ChrisNTrevino pic.twitter.com/2jJckJDZqu
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 17, 2022
VIDEO WITH CALEB WILLIAMS
An elite QB having an elite season 📈 @CALEBcsw on the Heisman, Lincoln Riley, a near-transfer to UCLA, and more with @BruceFeldmanCFB ⤵️
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 17, 2022
GRINCH SPEAKS
#USC DC Alex Grinch calls #UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet “probably the best back we’ve faced this year.”
Also heaped praise on Dorian Thompson-Robinson and how he can bail the Bruins’ offense out of bad plays
— Austin Green (@AustinGreen44) November 17, 2022
BROYLES AWARD UPDATE
.@CoachNua is nominated for the 2022 @BroylesAward!
The Broyles Award honors college football’s top assistant coaches. 📈✌️ pic.twitter.com/v7vOQxaNMZ
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 16, 2022
GRINCH VS KELLY
“He's elite at what he does and has been for a long, long time."
The history and respect between @uscfb’s Alex Grinch and UCLA’s Chip Kelly goes way back. The DC talked about their connection on Wednesday’s edition of Quick Hits with @keelyismyname ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/pJWMkEeooc
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) November 17, 2022
MASON MURPHY
Lincoln Riley says he views Bobby Haskins and Mason Murphy as “1A/1B” in terms of the starting left tackle.
Quite the jump for Murphy, who was lower on the depth chart at the start of the season.
— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) November 17, 2022
JOSH HENSON
Man…@Coach_Henson has now coached an offensive line that has been named a Joe Moore Semifinalist in 2 of the last 3 seasons
Miss that guy in Aggieland https://t.co/jGf6r6sBLo
— Tim England (@tengland_150) November 16, 2022
RECRUITING UPDATE
ICYMI: A new episode of Composite Two-Star Recruits dropped!
We discuss the latest #USC offers in the 2023 class, big-time '23 recruits looking around, some spicy Transfer Portal rumors and more!
LINK: https://t.co/Yhc7Vn07p2 @gmartlive @ThePeristyle pic.twitter.com/5GrJCjXN35
— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) November 17, 2022
CALEB PLAYS IT COOL
After UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson made his feelings for USC known this week, Caleb Williams was asked last night what he’s learned about USC-UCLA ahead of his first rivalry meeting.
Williams: “Haven’t learned much to be honest with you. Just treating it like another game.”
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) November 17, 2022
HIGH CEILING
In his annual look at the prospects in the USC-UCLA game, @LATimesfarmer spoke to NFL scouts about Caleb Williams.
“He would probably have been the top QB prospect last year, and this year he might be the top one as well. So he could be next year.” https://t.co/os257iLkGw
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) November 17, 2022
AUSTIN JONES REPLACES TRAVIS DYE
USC’s Austin Jones saw his role reduced after Travis Dye emerged as the Trojans’ workhorse.
Now with Dye out, a critical opportunity awaits Jones at a critical point in USC’s season: https://t.co/Rp4jXkg56r
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) November 16, 2022
GAME TIME AND TV
USC-UCLA starts just after 5 p.m. Pacific time on Fox Sports, this Saturday evening from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena
GAME ANNOUNCERS
Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt are on the call for Fox Sports
FULL USC-UCLA PREVIEW AT THE VOICE OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL
TROJANS: WIRED PODCAST PREVIEWS USC-UCLA
You can listen to our new show here.
DON'T FORGET OUR FULL USC-UCLA GAME PRIMER
Which you can read and watch here.
ALSO LOOK AT OUR USC-UCLA HISTORICAL PHOTO GALLERIES
From the 1960s through 2021.
