USC offensive line vows to make improvements to after leaving Caleb Williams scrambling

When Josh Henson initial took inventory of USC’s offensive line past spring, the new offensive coordinator produced be aware of what he believed was the Trojans’ most evident want up front.

“We require to develop depth,” Henson stated in March. “I believe that’s what our challenge is this spring, to establish depth guiding that first group and to get some guys nearer to the initially team so they can go compete. The greatest lines I have been in, we’ve had eight or nine guys that could perform.”

Six months afterwards, that depth all of a sudden confronted its stiffest problem however, as redshirt junior reserve Gino Quinones stepped in at correct guard very last Saturday in place of injured workforce captain Justin Dedich, with fewer than two dozen snaps of expertise.

Quinones hadn’t performed a snap on the offensive line in the course of his 3 prior seasons. Now he was being thrust into 70 snaps from a single of the Pac-12’s stoutest interiors. It was a tall get.

USC coach Lincoln Riley named it “a large offer.”

“I thought he fought actually really hard and held his have for the most element,” ideal deal with Jonah Monheim included. “I was seriously proud of him.”

But with two of the Pac-12’s best defenses on faucet for the duration of the subsequent two weeks, the tests only get harder.

Washington Point out, in individual, could pose a sizeable problem to an offensive line that could possibly not be at complete strength by Saturday. The Cougars rank third nationally in tackles for a reduction (44) and seventh in sacks (18), and in linebacker Daiyan Henley, they have one particular of the nation’s most disruptive defenders. Henley leads the Pac-12 in the previous group (9.5 tackles for loss) — and ranks third in the latter (four sacks) — as the ball-halting pressure at the center of a out of the blue ferocious entrance.

“Your blunders are heading to be TFLs [tackles for a loss] versus these men,” Riley reported.

It’s the sort of matchup that calls for a calming existence like Dedich to be in spot, if feasible. But whether USC will have to experience that entrance devoid of its captain was continue to unsure as of Tuesday. Dedich was restricted at apply, and Riley remained non-committal about his position.

“He’s greater,” Riley mentioned of USC’s setting up appropriate guard. “It was superior that we had been in a position to keep him. Where by that leaves us, we’ll see. We’ll continue to keep evaluating him all over the week. We’re hoping to be wise. Naturally, we’d really like for him to be in a position to participate in, but the flip aspect of it is we have received a whole lot of the period still left and you’ve got to be sensible with them.”

USC extensive receiver Drake London (15) celebrates with teammates Bru McCoy (4), Tyler Vaughns (21) and Justin Dedich (57) just after catching a go in the conclusion zone for a landing against Arizona Point out on Nov. 7, 2020, at the Coliseum.

(Ashley Landis / Associated Push)

USC has by now weathered 1 absence up entrance, as remaining tackle Courtland Ford did not engage in from Fresno Condition or Oregon Point out though recovering from an ankle harm. Ford performed only sparingly very last Saturday, following a keeping connect with negated an 82-lawn Mario Williams landing. USC turned as a substitute to its other skilled left tackle, Bobby Haskins, for the second half.

The conclusion to carry on with Haskins, Riley clarified, was not a punishment for Ford. It could, however, be a indicator of exactly where USC is leaning at still left tackle. Riley, by 5 weeks, has still to title a starter.

“Courtland’s performed a large amount and is a good player,” Riley stated. “He’s obtaining healthier and better and improved as he gets back. So he’ll carry on to be a large section of it.”

Quinones is sure to perform a element, as properly. Among the an unproven group of reserve linemen, he’s been frequently praised for his development considering the fact that spring, when Henson initial puzzled aloud about USC’s depth. Riley also singled out tackle Mason Murphy, middle Andrew Milek and guard Cooper Lovelace, every single of whom could be termed upon at some point this time.

“Some of individuals fellas are really finding much better and bettering,” Riley mentioned. “So yeah, I believe we’re in a excellent path.”

However, Dedich’s absence loomed significant very last Saturday, as USC’s shorthanded offensive line had its most disappointing effectiveness to day. Caleb Williams was beneath continual pressure by Arizona State’s protection, compelled to make daring escapes from the pocket, when USC’s rushing attack managed a meager 137 yards, its most affordable whole of the season.

Until eventually that position, the offensive line experienced mostly been a toughness of USC’s offense. But final 7 days, the team struggled to connect, primary to mistakes, heart Brett Neilon explained. “Sometimes, it got sloppy.”

If Dedich is unable to enjoy, that interaction will be place to the examination once again this weekend.

“We’ll get it fastened,” Neilon said.