USC football practice notes: Mock game week begins WMU prep (8/22)

USC Football launched their preparations for Western Michigan with a mock gameweek Tuesday practice at Howard Jones Field.

The USC Football season opener against Western Michigan is two weeks out, but the Trojans already started their specific preparation.

“This will be a mock game week for us and we’re acting like we’re playing Saturday,” head coach Clay Helton said after practice on Tuesday.

The Trojans spent Sunday and Monday game-planning for the Broncos and held a walk-through yesterday just like they would any week during the actual season.

As it’s a mock game week, USC designated a scout team for the first time this offseason. A number of true freshman appeared on the scout team including quarterback Jack Sears, offensive linemen Jalen McKenzie and Brett Neilon, tight end Erik Krommenhoek and receiver Randal Grimes.

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Defensively, linemen Jacob Lichtenstein and Jay Tufele, cornerback Je’Quari Godfrey, outside linebacker Juliano Falaniko and others also wore black jerseys denoting them as scout team players.

News and Notes

• Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao will undergo shoulder surgery to repair his sublexing shoulder. He will miss the 2017 season. Here is Tuesday’s injury report.
• USC had refs on hand at Howard Jones Field.
• As a result, it can definitively be said that Michael Brown hit 4-of-6 field goal attempts on Tuesday with a long of 40 yards. Chase McGrath went 3-for-5 with a long of 43 yards, but at least one of his attempts was not helped by a bad hold while he was unable to kick a sixth attempt because of a bad snap.
• Tackle Clayton Johnston got work with the first team at both left and right tackle, switching in and out with left tackle Toa Lobendahn and right tackle Chuma Edoga. Nico Falah remained at center.
• When Viane Talamaivao left practice with a foot injury, Jordan Austin took his place at right guard. Andrew Voorhees also saw time at left guard, subbing in for Chris Brown.
• Defensive lineman Josh Fatu continues to take first team reps at nose tackle with Marlon Tuipulotu in the second team. The same can be said of Steven Mitchell and Tyler Vaughns on the offensive side of the ball.
• Safety Chris Hawkins nearly scooped up a Sam Darnold pass for an interception, but it appeared to hit the ground.

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• Receiver Deontay Burnett did 10 push ups after dropping a ball during passing drills.
• Burnett had a standout day despite the drop. He made a diving reception in the endzone during the team period, beating Jamel Cook for the touchdown. He also hauled in two deep Darnold passes later in practice.
• Darnold also hit Tyler Vaughns for a long completion before Matt Fink also went long, putting up a wobbly pass that Velus Jones was able to run under and secure while falling to the ground.
• Cornerback Iman Marshall made his presence known throughout the day. He broke up two  passes intended for Randal Grimes and tipped another pass to force an incompletion.
• Punter Chris Tilbey dropped two snaps during punt drills, including one deep in the endzone. Walk-on Reid Budrovich held onto first team reps as the season approaches.
• Cornerback Jack Jones tipped an interception to himself, making an impressive diving catch on a Darnold throw.