USC in first game under Williams

Southern California is wounded. It’s smarting after losing at home to Stanford, watching any College Football Playoff hopes evaporate, and finally dismissing Clay Helton as head coach after years of conjecture about his job security.

The tonic for the Trojans could be a trip to the Palouse and a matchup with Washington State that traditionally has gone in USC’S favor.

“Everybody has embraced the opportunity that we have set for us,” said USC interim coach Donte Williams, who became the team’s first Black head coach when he stepped in for the fired Helton. “The biggest thing is about going 1-0 today.”

Last Saturday’s dispiriting 42-28 loss at home to Stanford was the final straw for Helton, who was let go two days later. Williams, who was USC’S cornerbacks coach, will lead the team for the remainder of the season.

Williams is focused on correcting the mistakes that cost USC in the loss to Stanford, many of which were self-inflicted.

“This is the nature of college sport,” USC captain and punter Ben Griffiths said of Helton’s firing. “We understand that. As players, we’ve got a job to do and that’s finish off this season and that starts this week in our preparation and really locking in against a tough Washington State side.”

The Trojans (1-1, 0-1 Pac-12) never led against Stanford and suffered their worst home loss to an unranked opponent in 21 years. But they remain dangerous. Their offense is led by quarterback Kedon Slovis, though he has yet to match some of the big numbers he posted a year ago. Slovis was 27 of 42 for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss to Stanford.

Last year, Slovis had one of the best games of his career against Washington State in a 38-13 win. Slovis threw for nearly as many touchdowns (five) as incompletions (seven) against the Cougars.