USC coaches, players focus on Cal during off weekend

An open date on Saturday allows USC coaches and players the opportunity to attend high school and community college games this weekend.

And they can do so without worrying about missing the chance to see their next opponent.

Several players and coaches said Friday that they watched California take a 15-14 halftime lead over No. 9 Oregon on Thursday night before the Golden Bears succumbed in a 43-15 defeat.

USC plays Cal on Thursday night at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

“Cal’s defense got worn out in the second half and didn’t stick to what they were doing,” USC linebacker Hayes Pullard said. “And Oregon was making adjustments and countering that.”

USC played its best game last season against Cal.

Quarterback Matt Barkley passed for five first-half touchdowns as the Trojans took a 42-0 halftime lead en route to a 48-14 victory.

USC Coach Lane Kiffin does not anticipate a similar scenario after watching the Golden Bears against Oregon.

“I thought [Cal] played great through a half and into the third quarter,” Kiffin said. He added: “What happened is what happens in most Oregon games over the last couple years: Somehow, Oregon gets stronger as the game goes on in the second half, especially on defense.”

USC returns to practice on Sunday to continue preparations for the Golden Bears.

Since 1955, USC is 53-16-1 after open dates.

“There’s a reason everyone doesn’t win a game off of a bye,” Kiffin said. “Just because you have more time doesn’t make you win the game, but it’s good to have.”

On the mend

Freshman linebacker Lamar Dawson said he planned to participate in a full practice on Sunday.

Dawson was sidelined the last two games because of a sprained ankle, forcing Chris Galippo to play nearly every snap. He is expected to return for Cal.

“It was frustrating not to play, but injuries come with football,” Dawson said. “I never missed a game in high school.”

Change of heart?

Freshman George Farmer, a highly regarded wide receiver whom coaches are attempting to transition to tailback, switched his number from 88 to 8.

Kiffin has said that the former Gardena Serra High star would redshirt, but when the coach was asked whether he was reevaluating that decision, he said: “Now that he’s fully healthy and he’s doing some good things out there, we’ll spend the week to figure that out.”

Quick hits

Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, who was attending to an ailing family member, and receivers coach Ted Gilmore, who had been recruiting, returned to practice after being absent the last two workouts.... Linebacker Dion Bailey’s 14 tackles against Arizona were the most by a USC freshman since Chris Claiborne’s 20 in 1996 against Arizona State.

gary.klein@latimes.com

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