A year later, Clay Helton reflects on the game that (maybe) won him the USC job

Almost a year ago, when USC’s coaching search was in its final hours, USC staffers drafted a press release. USC had defeated UCLA two days earlier, and the Trojans were ready to announce that their ideal candidate was already on the team — interim Coach Clay Helton.

Four paragraphs down, USC made sure to include an assurance from then-athletic director Pat Haden.

“Clay was not hired because his team defeated UCLA Saturday,” Haden said in the statement, continuing later: “He is our choice because we believe he can win Pac-12 and national championships here. Clay Helton is the right man at the right time for the USC football program.”

It is clear, however, that defeating the Bruins didn’t hurt.

A year later, as Helton prepares for what is unofficially his second game coaching against UCLA, Helton reflected on what that game meant.

“At the end of the day, we’re in a production-based business,” Helton said. “We all understand that. And you look back at it, that was an important game to be able to solidify a Pac-12 South championship and show that you can do the job. So was it important? Yeah, it was important.”

USC’s players recognized the game’s significance. Most players wanted Helton to be hired as the full-time coach, and they knew a loss to the Bruins, who’d won the game three years in a row, might deal a fatal blow to Helton’s chances.

They had seen what happened to interim coach Ed Orgeron in 2013. USC was 6-1 under Orgeron heading into the UCLA game. But the Bruins won, Haden hired Steve Sarkisian two days later and Orgeron left the program.

Helton said he tried not to think about his job prospects in the week before last year’s game. Had he agonized over it, he said, USC might not have won.

“That year, I was so concentrated on week-in and week-out, of just doing the job,” Helton said. “And if it happened it happened. And it’s just like this, if you ever worry about anything other than winning ballgames, helping these kids graduate or providing a great experience for them, you’re not doing your job.”

Helton’s position is more secure this season. USC has won six games in a row, the Trojans’ longest winning streak since Pete Carroll’s tenure.

Davis, Ware improve

Running back Justin Davis’ sprained ankle had improved enough over about a month of rest that he was able to participate in USC’s win over Washington last weekend.

But he wasn’t close to full strength. He helped in pass protection, but with the ball in his hands, his cuts were less than explosive. His movement wasn’t quite fluid. He didn’t fully trust his injured ankle.

Ronald Jones II took a majority of the carries.

Helton is more optimistic about Davis’ health this week. He and running back Aca’Cedric Ware, who was in uniform but didn’t appear in Saturday’s game as he recoversfrom his own ankle injury, have returned closer to 100% this week.

“This week has really helped both of them,” Helton said.

Davis, Helton said, had “a little bit more trust on that ankle.”

But the pair aren’t at the point where either is expected to carry a heavy burden in the running game just yet.

“RoJo will kind of carry the load, but I can see both kids coming in and helping us in a secondary manner,” Helton said.

Quick hits

Defensive tackle Josh Fatu (sprained ankle) did not practice Thursday and Helton does not expect him to play against UCLA. … Outside linebacker Porter Gustin (back tightness) was limited in practice as a precaution.

zach.helfand@latimes.com

Follow Zach Helfand on Twitter @zhelfand