USC works on shoring up the defense

It was a performance that brought back memories of famously poor USC defensive efforts against Arizona State in 2013 and Oregon in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

Boston College gained 506 yards, 452 rushing, in its upset victory over the Trojans.

First-year defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox accepted the blame.

“Obviously, I didn’t do a good job preparing us,” Wilcox said Wednesday. “So I’ll take that 100%”

Wilcox, who coached with Steve Sarkisian at Washington, installed a 3-4 scheme last spring.

The Trojans gave up 317 yards in a season-opening rout of Fresno State and 413 in a narrow victory at Stanford.

The Boston College collapse sent USC plummeting from 64th to 84th among 125 major college teams in total defense, and from 68th to 116th in rushing defense.

The Trojans have spent two days trying to correct mistakes and will do so again Thursday in their final practice of the bye week. The Trojans play Oregon State on Sept. 27.

Boston College took advantage of USC lapses in technique, identifying ballcarriers and tackling, Wilcox said.

“I’ve got to do a better job preparing them and we’ve got to go out and execute better,” he said.

Rather than avoiding USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams, quarterback Tyler Murphy “read” Williams to run the option, Sarkisian said.

Williams did his job, but other players let Murphy run free.

“When we start pressing … you think you see one thing and you come out of doing your job and try to do someone else’s,” Wilcox said, “and that’s a problem.”

Milestone interception

Redshirt freshman cornerback Chris Hawkins intercepted his first pass against Boston College.

“It was something I worked for for a long time,” he said. “So it wasn’t surprising when it came. Being my third game, and finally putting my hands on the ball, it’s just a great feeling.”

Hawkins has made 11 tackles and now has one of the Trojans’ five interceptions.

“In the first two games I was hungry for it,” he said. “In this third game, I was just playing football and it came to me.”

Productive returns

Adoree’ Jackson returned one kickoff 28 yards and another 50 yards against Boston College.

But the freshman could not give himself high marks because a third return netted only three yards.

“Just the fact that I muffed that return, just a little rookie mistake, not looking the ball in and trying to do too much and trying to be the hero for the team,” he said. “So I give myself a C for that.

Jackson played cornerback and had two tackles.

He caught one pass for minus-four yards and reiterated that he is fine with his limited role on offense.

“I don’t mind at all,” he said. “When opportunity comes and I get the ball, just make plays so I can get more chances.”

Quick hits

Freshman Rahshead Johnson, who had been playing receiver since training camp, has worked this week at cornerback…. The Trojans practice Thursday and the will be off Friday, Saturday and Sunday.