USC looks to fresh QB vs. Sun Devils
Southern California coach Clay Helton is warning his battered roster and USC fans not to overlook Arizona State.
Recent history between the Sun Devils and Trojans features few close games. But Arizona State (3-4, 1-3 Pac-12) has five games this year decided by seven points or fewer.
USC (4-3, 3-2) has been on the right side of two close games this season, but with redshirt freshman quarterback Jack Sears expected to make his first start, a game going down to the wire might not be in the best interests of injury-riddled USC.
Freshman starter JT Daniels had not cleared concussion protocol as of Thursday, Helton said, after leaving a 41-28 loss at Utah in the second half.
Backup Matt Fink broke three ribs while playing in relief of Daniels and will miss up to four weeks, leaving Sears to see his first action against Arizona State.
Arkansas
Junior quarterback Ty Storey is expected to return Saturday when Arkansas (2-6, 0-4 Southeastern Conference) plays host to Vanderbilt. Long in waiting for the starting job, Storey missed last week because of injury. The Razorbacks snapped a six-game losing streak against Tulsa, 23-0. Facing the Commodores (3-5, 0-4), Arkansas seeks a first SEC win under coach Chad Morris.
Maryland
Coach DJ Durkin met Friday with the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, which weighed whether he should be allowed to return to the sideline. The board also met with athletic director Damon Evans. Evans said, “We just have to wait to see what happens” when asked about his job status after the meeting.
Notre Dame
Navy returns to one of the world’s great Navy towns with Notre Dame in tow. Being at “home” might not help the Midshipmen (2-5) Saturday against the Fighting Irish (7-0), who, playing in San Diego for the first time, look to stay in playoff contention. Navy is home in even-numbered years in a series that has continued uninterrupted since 1927. The game at SDCCU Stadium is expected to draw 66,000, one of the largest crowds for a game there.