Clay Helton says two postseason games provide opportunity for improvement
USC Coach Clay Helton runs his players through drills during Holiday Bowl practice in San Diego on Dec. 28.
On Dec. 5, USC appeared in the Pac-12 Conference championship game for the first time, and then did not practice the following two weeks.
The Trojans are set to play Wisconsin on Wednesday in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.
USC Coach Clay Helton said that preparation for the conference championship game, the game itself, plus eight more bowl-game practices have provided plenty of opportunity for improvement and for the team to regain its health.
“To be able to get our kids through finals, to be able to get them fresh-legged again and get through some injuries and then be able to come back and get eight more practices that we felt were not only competitive but physical practices also, it gives us a really good opportunity to prepare for a good Wisconsin team,” Helton said.
Helton said that third-year sophomore quarterback Max Browne and freshman Sam Darnold were among the players who benefited most from the workouts, adding that young defensive backs and linebackers also were able to pick up extra reps.
USC is allowed 15 practices in the spring.
The Trojans are set to open the 2016 season on Sept. 3 against Alabama.
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