USC to begin preparations for California on Saturday

Re-energized and refocused.

That’s what USC Coach Steve Sarkisian hopes his football players will be Saturday when the Trojans practice for the first time since last week’s victory over Washington State.

Sarkisian gave the Trojans the week off from full-team workouts so that they could take physical and mental breaks in preparation for the final three games of the regular season.

The Trojans play California on Thursday night at the Coliseum, then finish with rivalry games against UCLA and Notre Dame.

Sarkisian said he saw it as an opportunity to “regroup and recharge our batteries and come back for an amazing three-week run.”

However, the players were not idle. They worked out on the practice field individually and with their position groups. Injured players such as linebackers Su’a Cravens and J.R. Tavai received rehabilitative treatment. Defensive end Leonard Williams, who has nursed a shoulder injury throughout the season, was able to rest and heal.

On Saturday, USC will begin preparing for a Cal team that is 5-4 overall and 3-4 in the Pac-12 Conference.

The Golden Bears are coming off a 45-31 victory over Oregon State, a win that ended a three-game losing streak.

Under second-year Coach Sonny Dykes, Cal’s offense ranks fourth nationally in passing, averaging 361 yards per game. The Golden Bears are seventh in scoring (41.9 points a game) and 10th in total offense (509.1 yards per game).

Quarterback Jared Goff has passed for 27 touchdowns, with four interceptions. Receiver Bryce Treggs has 40 receptions, five for touchdowns. Kenny Lawler has six touchdown catches, Chris Harper five.

But Cal also has one of college football’s most generous defenses. The Golden Bears rank 122nd among 125 major college teams, giving up 525.9 yards a game. They are 119th in scoring defense, giving up 39.9 points a game.

Milestone run

USC has been famously known as Tailback U. But it’s been nearly a quarter-century since a Trojans running back finished the season as the conference’s rushing leader.

Javorius Allen could change that and become the first USC player since Ricky Ervins in 1989 to finish first in rushing.

Ervins rushed for 1,395 yards in 269 carries for a USC team that finished 9-2-1.

Allen has rushed for 1,124 yards in 196 carries in nine games. He is averaging a conference-best 124.9 yards rushing a game.

Utah’s Devontae Booker has rushed for 990 yards in eight games (123.8 yards per game), and UCLA’s Paul Perkins has rushed for 1,074 yards in nine games (119.3 yards per game).

Tackle box

Senior linebacker Hayes Pullard has a team-best 68 tackles and is on pace to finish as the Trojans’ leading tackler for the third time in four seasons.

Dennis Johnson, who led USC in tackles in 1977-79, is the last Trojans player to record the most tackles three times.

Pullard made a team-best nine tackles and intercepted a pass against Washington State. It was his first interception this season, the third of his career.

“I knew the defensive line was going to go out there and get pressure to the quarterback — and I knew the ball was going to be out,” he said. “I just tried to be trigger-happy.”

Pregame plans

Tailgating and game parking on campus will not be allowed Thursday, USC announced. Alternatives are available at usctrojans.com/thursday.