USC Athletics

The Trojans focused on special teams and end-of-game situations at today's practice ahead of Saturday's scrimmage, which USC head coach Clay Helton is dubbing a "preseason game."

• Helton was impressed with redshirt sophomore QB Matt Fink (pictured) this week. "I'm very proud of him," Helton said. "You go through the first preseason game and obviously the storyline was JT Daniels — he did a phenomenal job in that game — but just like every good quarterback, they come back and compete. Matt Fink competed exceptionally well."


• During tomorrow's preseason game, Fink, Daniels and Jack Sears will each participate in two full drives and a two-minute segment.


• Helton sat down individually with each quarterback after last weekend's preseason game to go over their strengths and the areas they need to work on, and he plans on doing the same after tomorrow's game.


• Helton told Daniels last week that he needed to improve his pocket movement, and he was pleased with the freshman's progress this week. "In the two-minute drill yesterday, I thought he did a wonderful job of moving in the pocket with a lot of pressures that [USC defensive coordinator] Clancy [Pendergast] was bringing," Helton said.


• Helton said that his No. 1 focus for the QBs on Saturday is full-speed decision making — "pull the ball down and run or get rid of it and move on to the next down." He's also looking for them to get the ball out quicker.


• Tonight, the team and coaches will attend Salute to Troy, the annual athletics kickoff BBQ, where they'll sign autographs and mingle with fans. USC also will also honor the 50th anniversary of the 1968 USC football team, the 25th anniversary of the 1993 USC football team, and celebrate USC women's water polo and women's track & field for winning NCAA titles last season.