USC got some players back vs Colorado, but questions linger heading into UCLA
The Travis Dye injury was and is the huge story for USC in the Colorado game, and we have a bunch of stories this Saturday morning on that crushing turn of events. We do have other important items to cover, however, and the best place to start is the collection of other injury and player availability situations facing the Trojans with UCLA Game Week now upon us.
USC needs all hands on deck against the Bruins. It’s the defining game of the season even when the Trojans and Bruins aren’t very good. This year, of course, they are both very good. The winner likely gets a spot opposite Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game. The winner might also have a good shot at a New Year’s Six bowl bid.
Let’s give you a look at the other important non-Travis Dye injury situations at USC:
JORDAN ADDISON
#USC WR Jordan Addison has not been on the field the last two drives. Assuming his night is over for the Trojans.
By my unofficial count, he played 28 offensive snaps tonight.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 12, 2022
ADDISON AND MARIO WILLIAMS PREGAME
Watching Jordan Addison and Mario Williams in warm-ups and both look like they are moving really well.
My guess is both start and play but they will be on a pitch count.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) November 12, 2022
MARIO WILLIAMS WITH THE SECOND TEAM
Both are participating in 11on11. Mario Williams with the second-team offense and Jordan Addison with the first team #USC https://t.co/rpeVmjFSiG
— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) November 12, 2022
ANDREW VORHEES
Andrew Vorhees didn't play after halftime. Lincoln Riley said that was the plan: “He’s been limited a little bit. The plan was for him and Jordan (Addison) both just to play them a little bit tonight. Get them back out there, get them rolling a little bit.” #USC
— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) November 12, 2022
VORHEES FOLLOW-UP
Riley saying it was planned for Vorhees to play limited snaps is a huge relief for USC. People were wondering if he aggravated an injury. That was not the case. It’s clear he was being saved for UCLA, which makes complete sense.
ERIC GENTRY
USC ILB Eric Gentry is not in uniform for team warmups. He was listed as a game-time decision.
— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) November 12, 2022
GENTRY FOLLOW-UP
Gentry does not seem to be nearly as advanced in his recovery as Mario Williams or other USC players. That hurts, because USC desperately needs him against UCLA’s athletes.
RALEN GOFORTH
USC ILB Ralen Goforth is dressed out tonight, but Tuasivi Nomura gets the start next to Shane Lee.
— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) November 12, 2022
MORE GOFORTH
LB Ralen Goforth back out on the field for this drive after missing the last two games
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) November 12, 2022
DOMANI JACKSON
Lincoln Riley said this to the USC Rivals site:
“Domani, progressing, still certainly think there’s a shot for him to be available for us here at the back end of the year. He’s certainly closer than further away ,” Riley said. “So we hope to, here at the end of the regular season or postseason, have his services available. He’s made some really nice progress the last two weeks, starting to get him on the ground, moving, doing some drill work. So he’s certainly getting close and would be a nice added boost for us right now.”
BOBBY HASKINS
Caleb Williams is sacked on second and fourth down. Not sure if he was involved with either, but LT Bobby Haskins is back in after missing the first half.
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) November 12, 2022
MORE ON HASKINS
I didn't notice until rewatching that fourth-down sack, but LG Andrew Vorhees is no longer in the game.
Bobby Haskins has come in at left tackle and cycled every other position outside of Brett Neilon:
LT Haskins
LG Dedich
C Neilon
RG Monheim
RT Murphy— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 12, 2022
COURTLAND FORD -- LIMITED OR SIMPLY IN THE DOGHOUSE?
#USC has all reserves in the game on the offensive line:
LT Courtland Ford
LG Gino Quinones
C Andrew Milek
RG Cooper Lovelace
RT Joe Bryson— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) November 12, 2022
QUICK EARLY THOUGHTS ABOUT UCLA
USC really needs Eric Gentry back, given that Travis Dye’s injury is likely to limit the Trojans’ offense to a certain extent.
THE GOOD NEWS
USC should enter the UCLA game with Jordan Addison close to full strength and Andrew Vorhees fully ready to go. They didn’t aggravate any injuries against Colorado and were able to log some snaps to build some rhythm. They won’t enter the UCLA game cold (which is what Gentry will have to do if he is able to play).
OFFENSIVE LINE
Assuming Vorhees is a full go against UCLA, that should move Bobby Haskins back to left tackle with Mason Murphy moved down on the depth chart. USC needs its best offensive line performance of the year against the Bruins.
MARIO WILLIAMS
Having Mario Williams against UCLA would be huge, but given how well Tahj Washington and Michael Jackson have been playing, having those guys plus Jordan Addison gives the Trojans a lot of options and a lot of speed. This is not meant to suggest that Mario Williams is an optional piece who is not really needed; that’s not true. It is a way of saying that USC’s depth at wide receiver can cover for Williams if he can’t go. Getting Addison back would be substantial.
RALEN GOFORTH
Similar to Jordan Addison and Andrew Vorhees, it’s good that Goforth was merely able to play at all against Colorado and get the blood pumping again. He won’t enter the UCLA game cold, after several weeks off. If Eric Gentry can’t go, Goforth must play and must be reasonably effective. Playing against Colorado is a good sign and a step in the right direction for USC.
