Trojans can’t wait to face Beavers in Pac-12 football game

USC players are eager to face Oregon State on Saturday night, in part so that they might put their loss against Boston College completely behind.

It’s the same for Trojans coaches. Steve Sarkisian and his staff have spent two long weeks answering questions about the Trojans’ lapses.

Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox’s unit gave up 506 yards, 452 rushing.

Wilcox said Wednesday that “anybody who’s competitive by nature” is affected when time and effort are put in and “it doesn’t go how you want it to go.”

“There’s a lot of words to describe that,” Wilcox said, “and some of them probably not for interviews.”

Wilcox expects Oregon State Coach Mike Riley and his staff to spring something new on the Trojans.

Running backs Terron Ward and Storm Woods will run, quarterback Sean Mannion will pass and the Beavers will execute their trademark fly sweeps. But Wilcox anticipates surprises or wrinkles.

“They’ll have something,” he said.

Cravens cravings

Su’a Cravens sat out only one game last season.

The sophomore suffered a groin injury that sidelined him for the Trojans’ 31-14 victory over Oregon State at Corvallis.

On Saturday, Cravens could be deployed from multiple spots to help slow down an offense that features Mannion, Oregon State’s career passing-yardage leader.

“He can sling that thing,” Cravens said. “I saw a play on film where he threw the ball about 70 yards down the field.”

Cravens had four interceptions in 2013, but he is still looking for his first this season. He also is looking forward to playing under the lights of the Coliseum.

“The Coliseum is different at night,” he said. “There’s a different type of atmosphere that helps us. It’s going to be fun.”

Senior leader

Safety Gerald Bowman has one of the Trojans’ five interceptions, but he wants more.

“Every time I touch the field, I’m thinking ‘big play or turnover,’ so when that opportunity comes I feel as though I’ve prepared enough to execute,” the senior said.

Bowman has started every game this season. He is second on the team with 22 tackles.

“There’s a lot of things I can do better,” he said. “So I come out every day and just try to get better at something, just continue to be a leader on the defense in the secondary.”

Quick hits

After practice — and before he met with reporters — Sarkisian spent about 20 minutes on the sideline speaking with the father of receiver Victor Blackwell. Blackwell caught three passes in the opener against Fresno State but did not play in the last two games. He has been absent from workouts since the loss to Boston College. On Tuesday, Sarkisian said the junior was “trying to decide, personally, what he wants to do.” Asked Wednesday if Blackwell could return, Sarkisian said, “I don’t know that.”… Linebacker Lamar Dawson’s recovery from knee surgery is progressing, but redshirting is a possibility if the senior in unable to return by midseason, Sarkisian said.… None of USC’s players are from Oregon. Oregon State’s roster includes 42 players from California.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein