USC quarterback Matt Fink is needed for one series against Stanford

Reporting from Palo Alto — USC coach Clay Helton had his reasons for extending the Trojans’ quarterback competition into the first game week, potentially taking away valuable reps for JT Daniels running the first-team offense.

When Daniels took a big hit on USC’s first offensive series, bruising his hand, Helton received his validation. He wanted to be confident that Matt Fink or Jack Sears would be game-ready if called upon, and, with Daniels being checked out by doctors and training staff in the injury tent, Helton looked Fink’s way.

Fink wasn’t asked to do much during his lone series, as the ground game pounded away at Stanford’s defense. He kept the ball once on a read-option play for five yards to move the chains and completed one pass for three yards.

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USC quarterback J.T. Daniels is stripped of the ball by Stanford linebacker Joey Alfieri on 4th down in the 2nd quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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USC quarterback J.T. Daniels is stripped of the ball by Stanford linebacker Joey Alfieri on 4th down in the 2nd quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Stanford running back Bryce Love stiff arms USC cornerback Iman Marshall to pick up a few yards in the 2nd quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Stanford’s Malik Antoine steps in front of USC receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for an interception in the 4th quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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USC running back Vavae Malepeai makes Stanford cornerback Alijah Holder fall on the ground after a juke move in the second quarter.

  (Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

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USC receiver Tyler Vaughns can’t make the catch as Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo in the 2nd quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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USC tight end Tyler Petite drops the ball while being hit by Stanford linebacker Bobby Okereke, left, and safety Frank Buncom for an incomplete pass in the 2nd quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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As Stanford celebrates Colby Parkinson’s tpuchdown catch, USC cornerback Greg Johnson walks off the field in the 3rd quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Stanford running back Bryce Love turns the corner and runs for a 59-yard gain in the third quarter against USC.

  (Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

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USC quarterback J.T. Daniels gets a pass off agaisnt Stanford in the 3rd quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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USC tight end Tyler Petite drops the ball while being hit by Stanford inebacker Bobby Okereke for an incomplete pass in the 2nd quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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USC receiver Devon Williams can’t make the catch as Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo defends in the 2nd quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Stanford punt returner Trenton Irwin is upended by USC’s Iman Marshall in the 1st quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Stanford running back Bryce Love picks up 5-yards as he is tackled by USC’s Marvell Tell as Cameron Smith tries to help on defense late int he 4th quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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USC cornerback Greg Johnson looks on as Stanford celebrates scoring a touchdown at the end of the second quarter.

  (Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

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Stanford defensive back Malik Antoine intercepts a pass intended for USC’s Amon-Ra St. Brown late in the fourth quarter to seal a victory for the Cardinal.

  (Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

On third and 10 at the Stanford 35-yard line early in the second quarter, Fink was pressured from behind and held onto the ball too long. He was hit while throwing, and his pass fell incomplete.

Then, USC’s best scoring chance of the first half ended without points when Chase McGrath missed a 52-yard field goal.

Daniels came back into the game for USC’s next drive after throwing on the sideline and feeling he was good to go.

Safety depth tested

USC was already down to its third-string strong safety at the beginning of camp, redshirt freshman Isaiah Pola-Mao, entering Saturday’s game. Personnel issues with Bubba Bolden (undisclosed) and Ykili Ross (who left the team to focus on graduating so he could come a graduate transfer) put the Trojans in that position.

In the first quarter Saturday, Pola-Mao left the game with a shoulder dislocation, Helton said.

CJ Pollard and Talanoa Hufanga, a true freshman, alternated in Pola-Mao’s place.

Etc.

At Thursday’s practice, center Toa Lobendahn (pectoral strain), left tackle Austin Jackson (knee tendinitis) and Chuma Edoga (hip) were either held out or limited. Helton said he hoped they would be available to play Saturday, and he got his wish. All three players started for the Trojans in their Pac-12 opener. ... Defensive tackle Brandon Pili played with a cast on his hand. … Last week, Stanford running back Bryce Love carried 18 times for 29 yards against San Diego State. In the first drive Saturday, Love had 37 yards and a touchdown.

brady.mccollough@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradyMcCollough