Chuma Edoga Avoids Suspension For USC vs Stanford

Starting left tackle Chuma Edoga will not be suspended for USC vs Stanford, head coach Clay Helton announced Sunday night.

Left tackle Chuma Edoga will not miss any part of USC vs Stanford this Saturday after being ejected from the Trojans Week 2 victory over Utah State.

Head coach Clay Helton announced the decision during his Sunday night conference call, opting to discipline the player for pushing a referee after USC’s first drive at the Coliseum this Saturday by demoting him from his starting role.

The Pac-12 also declined to impose a suspension on the player. Since he was ejected so early in the game, the conference determined that the required full-game suspension had been met.

With Edoga demoted, the Trojans will turn to Chad Wheeler, who is returning from a foot injury which has hampered the start of his senior season. Wheeler had been the starter before plantar fasciitis limited him during fall camp.

Edoga is the second Trojan in trouble this season for an on-the-field behavioral problem.

Outside linebacker Jabari Ruffin sat out the first half of Saturday’s game because he stomped on an Alabama player in Week 1.

LISTEN: USC vs. Utah State Recap

Along with Ruffin and Edoga, USC suspended cornerback Isaiah Langley for the season opener due to an offseason arrest. Meanwhile, linebackers Osa Masina and Don Hill remain out indefinitely as police investigate allegations of sexual assault against both players.

Edoga enrolled at USC for the spring of 2015 and played in all but one game during his first season with the Trojans.

Going into the 2016 season, the sophomore was expected to be the primary back up at right tackle behind Zach Banner. However, when returning left tackle Chad Wheeler came down with plantar fasciitis, it was Edoga who was flipped over to left tackle, not Banner, as cover.

READ MORE: Grading USC’s Offense vs. Utah State

While he entered the season as the replacement for Wheeler, Edoga was knocked out of the Alabama game, forcing Wheeler back into action earlier than expected.

When Edoga was ejected early against Utah State, Wheeler once again played through the game despite his injury.