USC vs. Washington: Huskies Talk Sarkisian, Matchup With Trojans
By Hank Shaw
Thursday night’s USC vs. Washington tilt at the Coliseum sees Steve Sarkisian face his old team, along with his former recruits, for the first time since leaving Seattle to become the Trojans’ head coach in December 2013.
RELATED: First Look at USC vs. Washington
While the Huskies have a lot of new faces under Chris Petersen, former USC commit Jaydon Mickens told reporters on Sunday that playing against their previous coach will be in the back of their minds.
Here’s some highlights from Washington’s media availability:
WR Jaydon Mickens on facing Steve Sarkisian:“It’s not going to be a big deal, because Sark is not playing the game. We’re playing the game. Sark can’t go out there and block and Sark can’t go out there and throw the football. So, this game is not against Sark, this game is against the Trojans. We’re going to go play the Trojans. But it’s the in the back of your head that that man was the one that recruited you and you felt comfortable enough to sign the letter of intent. And ultimately, have him be a father figure in your life because you don’t see that all the time. For him to do that and go over there, I respected it and I’m excited to play against him.” (Real Dawg)
DL Elijah Qualls on facing USC’s offensive line:“They got a lot of big linemen. One of the smallest linemen is the center, but he’s by far the most athletic and he’s considered one of the best centers in the country. They got a lot of talent across the board. It’s going to be a fight for sure, but we’re going to throw everything we got at them. We’re going to study film and do the best we can, doing what we have been doing. Getting pressure on the quarterback, QB hits, movements, pressures or just straight-up head-up winning your one-on-one.” (Real Dawg)
Defensive Coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski on Adoree’ Jackson:“Our guys need to be aware when he’s in the game, because when he’s in the game, he’s in the game for a reason. He’s very dynamic with it, but at the same time, they put him in and use him as a decoy, too. They’ll set up some other things, because they know that we know he’s in the game.” (The News Tribune)
More from Reign of Troy
- Markese Stepp enters transfer portal intending to leave USC football
- USC football’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for NFL Draft
- USC football adds Xavion Alford as transfer from Texas
- USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 396 on the Football Season’s Fallout
- Talanoa Hufanga named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, USC football with five first-teamers