Despite solid start, USC’s Cody Kessler looks to improve

USC quarterback Cody Kessler has not committed a major error this season.

No passes have been intercepted. He has not fumbled.

But Kessler sees room for personal improvement in the aftermath of the Trojans’ upset loss at Boston College, which dropped the Trojans’ record to 2-1.

Kessler completed 31 of 41 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns in the 37-31 defeat.

“I missed some plays last game; I missed some throws I should have made,” he said after Tuesday’s practice, adding, “You can always elevate your game to the next level.”

With an open date Saturday, Kessler and the Trojans are attempting to regroup during bye-week practices. The Trojans play Oregon State on Sept. 27.

Kessler has completed 71% of his passes, eight for touchdowns. He is one of only four quarterbacks in major college football who have thrown 100 or more passes without an interception.

Coach Steve Sarkisian indicated after the Boston College game, in which the Trojans rushed for 20 yards, that he needed to be more open as a play-caller, to use the pass to set up the run.

Each game is different, Kessler said.

“I could throw the ball five times or 60 times — I just want to win,” he said. “It wasn’t necessarily that we didn’t throw the ball enough last game.

“The run calls were there. We were getting into the right position and we had the looks we wanted. We were just missing some stuff.”

Kessler was sacked a season-high five times against Boston College. On several plays, unblocked defensive players burst through the offensive line. But Kessler took responsibility.

“I need to get the ball out of my hands,” he said. “That’s all on me.

“They’re having a tough job as it is with guys coming at them and I need to help them out and get the ball out quicker.”

Left tackle Chad Wheeler characterized the breakdown as a collective effort.

“It was all of us, not just Cody,” Wheeler said. “Our communication could be better so we need to step up and improve.”

Milestone catch

Receiver George Farmer, a fourth-year junior, said it “felt great” to catch his first touchdown pass against Boston College.

“Unfortunately, it couldn’t contribute to a win,” he said Tuesday.

Farmer had not been in the end zone since his senior season at Gardena Serra High in 2010.

Former coach Lane Kiffin played him at running back as a freshman and he was a seldom-used receiver as a sophomore. During spring practice in 2013, he suffered a major knee injury and redshirted last season.

Farmer’s first-quarter touchdown gave the Trojans an early lead. But it took a few moments for him to recognize the personal significance.

“It didn’t really sink in until I got to the sideline,” he said.

Farmer has nine receptions for 72 yards.

Quick hits

Senior D.J. Morgan, who struggled with knee issues before and throughout his USC career, has left the football program so he can prepare to be fully healthy for track season and pursue professional football next year. Morgan rushed for 364 yards and a touchdown in 83 career carries as a tailback. He had switched to safety during training camp. ... Defensive lineman Leonard Williams, receiver JuJu Smith, tight end Randall Telfer and tailback Tre Madden did not practice because they were receiving physical rehabilitation treatment, Sarkisian said. … Walk-on receiver Christian Tober suffered a broken collarbone last week and had surgery.