USC’s young offensive linemen say travel wasn’t the issue in poor play
USC traveled nearly 3,000 miles to Boston College with a young offensive line.
Freshmen Toa Lobendahn and Viane Talamaivao started at guard and Damien Mama rotated in during the Trojans’ 37-31 defeat.
Lobendahn said travel didn’t contribute to poor play by the freshmen.
“We’ve gone everywhere,” Lobendahn said. “We’re used to it.”
Most top-rated recruits are seasoned travelers.
Lobendahn, Talamaivao and Mama logged thousands of miles during their senior years of high school.
All three participated in “The Opening,” a four-day invitation-only camp on the Nike campus in Beaverton, Ore., and in the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, among other camps and tournaments.
“We were definitely prepared mentally, physically,” Lobendahn said of the Boston College experience. “We just didn’t execute when we were supposed to.”
The Trojans allowed five quarterback sacks and rushed for 20 net yards.
Questions about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will answer questions in a weekly USC Now mailbag.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
