Clay Helton says he got plenty of room to operate as USC’s play-caller

USC offensive coordinator Clay Helton, who took over play-calling duties this season, was generally pleased with the Trojans’ performance against Arkansas State.

“You look up at the box score and see 509 yards and 55 points and everybody is patting you on the back,” he said, “but there are things that have to be corrected.”

The Trojans gave up five sacks and converted only three of 10 third downs.

Helton said Coach Steve Sarkisian gave him plenty of room to operate.

“He was absolutely awesome,” Helton said. “He was a head football coach. … He let me go with the flow, didn’t butt in in the middle of the series and had some great suggestions.

“It was neat to see him be able to be in the overall aspect, to be involved in defense and special teams.”

Helton called plays for the Trojans in 2013 after Lane Kiffin was fired after the fifth game. The Arkansas State game reminded him that the pace for a play-caller is different than for other coaches.

“You have to be two steps ahead,” he said. “You can’t celebrate on a long play and you can’t get too mad about the play that just happened.

“You have to go to the next play in a no-huddle offense. You have to keep that temperament.”

Twitter: @LATimesklein