USC Coach Steve Sarkisian points to Kam Chancellor for turnover inspiration
Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson, left, loses the ball at the goal line on a hit by Seattle safety Kam Chancellor on Monday night.
USC Coach Steve Sarkisian looked to Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor as a means of inspiring the Trojans’ defense to continue its recent turnover surge.
USC, which plays Washington on Thursday night at the Coliseum, capitalized on four turnovers in its 42-14 victory over Arizona State. Sarkisian had made turnovers the theme in his speech to the team the night before.
Sarkisian said that before Tuesday’s closed practice that he showed players a video that ended with footage of Chancellor stripping the ball from Detroit Lions’ receiver Calvin Johnson in the Seahawks’ controversial 13-10 victory on Monday night.
“Just a classic example of punching the ball out and the play not ever being over,” Sarkisian said.
“So we’re not going to back off that. We think we can be unique that way in creating turnovers.”
USC has intercepted three passes and recovered five fumbles.
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