Trojans prepare for Arizona State game with past defeat in mind

USC’s last game against Arizona State was filled with drama on and off the field.

The Trojans’ 62-41 defeat at Tempe, Ariz., triggered the firing of former coach Lane Kiffin upon the team’s return to Los Angeles, starting two months of tumult that did not end until USC completed the season with a victory at the Las Vegas Bowl.

When Arizona State arrives at the Coliseum on Saturday for a Pac-12 Conference South division game, the Trojans’ situation should be notably calmer.

USC rebounded from its embarrassing loss at Boston College with an impressive 35-10 victory over Oregon State. The victory staved off crisis-- and moved the Trojans up two spots to No. 16 in the Associated Press media poll.

Asked Sunday about USC’s last game against Arizona State, first-year Coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged that while he “wasn’t here for all that,” it was “a relatively emotional sequence of events.”

Sarkisian said that some players might use that as motivation against the Sun Devils.

“I’m sure there’s probably a little bit of that in there,” he said during a teleconference with reporters. “They want to go in there and redeem themselves to a degree….If there’s some psychological motivation they get from that, it’s really a bonus. But that won’t be our focus.”

Arizona State is coming off a 62-27 loss to UCLA. The Sun Devils were without senior quarterback Taylor Kelly because of a foot injury, which might keep him sidelined against the Trojans.

Sarkisian said the Trojans would prepare for Arizona State schemes rather than specific personnel.

And USC will do so without the pall that was cast over the program in the aftermath of the Boston College game.

Sarkisian was pleased with his team’s effort against Oregon State, but added, “Obviously, we need to clean up some stuff.”

Reducing penalties, finding offensive rhythm quicker and shoring up special teams are among the priorities.

“We’re going to need to play better this Saturday if we expect to get a victory,” he said.

Sarkisian did not mention whether the Trojans planned to execute another Hail Mary pass. USC scored a touchdown against Oregon State at the end of the first half on a 48-yard heave from quarterback Cody Kessler to receiver Darreus Rogers.

“That sparked us for the second half and got the crowd pumped up,” Kessler said after the game.

Tight ends involved

Sarkisian has called plays for offenses that featured Fred Davis at USC in 2007 and Austin Seferian-Jenkins at Washington last season.

Both won the John Mackey award as college football’s top tight end.

So Sarkisian was happy to see Bryce Dixon and Randall Telfer combine for four receptions and 73 yards against Oregon State.

“We’ll continue to find ways to try and get them the ball,” he said. “When you can do that, it forces a defense to defend everybody, and it makes life easier on the wide receivers.”

Quick hits

USC’s game against Arizona State will kick off at 4:30 p.m., and will be televised by FOX… The kickoff time for USC’s Oct. 11 game at Arizona will be announced Monday, a USC official said…. Senior offensive lineman Aundrey Walker played 28 plays against Oregon State in his first action of the season. “The outlook for him is to continue on a positive path,” Sarkisian said. Walker had been slow to recover from offseason ankle surgery, and Sarkisian had indicated several times that he needed to assert himself…. The Trojans suffered no major injuries against Oregon State, Sarkisian said. Offensive lineman Jordan Simmons did not play because of a bone bruise suffered during practice last week.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein