He’ll start at the bottom
Cody Kessler goes over footwork after missing a couple of receivers in the Trojans’ opener.
Cody Kessler’s statistical line in USC’s opener against Arkansas State was similar to his 2014 performances.
He completed 73% of his passes, including four for touchdowns, and did not have a pass intercepted.
But much of the talk afterward centered on the passes that Kessler overthrew to open receivers.
So on Tuesday, as USC began preparations for Saturday’s game against Idaho, Kessler worked to correct the mistakes.
And it started with his feet.
“It wasn’t about delivery or arm motion or things like that, it was just continually staying on him about his feet,” Coach Steve Sarkisian said after practice Tuesday. “It’s not a light switch; we’re going to keep doing it day after day after day so that come Saturday he’s back into that groove of where I think he can play at.”
Kessler welcomed the review. “We’ve been working on that since we got here,” he said, adding, “You want your feet going in the right direction and everything, all your momentum. I’m going to continue to improve on that.”
Offensive coordinator Clay Helton, the Trojans’ quarterbacks coach, said he was not concerned about the overthrows. “I’m not worried about Cody,” he said. “You saw him all last year. He completes those balls with ease.”
Play-caller redux
Helton, who took over play-calling duties this season, was generally pleased with the Trojans’ first performance.
“You look up at the box score and see 509 yards and 55 points and everybody is patting you on the back,” he said, “but there are things that have to be corrected.”
The Trojans gave up five sacks and converted only three of 10 third downs.
Helton said Sarkisian gave him plenty of room to operate.
“He was absolutely awesome,” Helton said. “He was a head football coach. … He let me go with the f low, didn’t butt in in the middle of the series and had some great suggestions.
“It was neat to see him be able to be in the overall aspect, to be involved in defense and special teams.”
Helton called plays for the Trojans in 2013 when Lane Kiffin was fired after the fifth game. The Arkansas State game reminded him that the pace for a playcaller is different than for other coaches.
“You have to be two steps ahead,” he said. “You can’t celebrate on a long play and you can’t get too mad about the play that just happened.
“You have to go to the next play in a no-huddle offense. You have to keep that temperament.”
Injury update
Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, who suffered an abdominal strain against Arkansas State, practiced Tuesday, and tailback Justin Davis and defensive lineman Claude Pelon returned from injuries.
Jackson was held out of the Arkansas State game after suffering the injury on a first-quarter punt return. He performed most drills Tuesday but was held out of the final scrimmage drill.
“Any time you come out of a game and you can’t finish a ballgame we’re going to treat it very seriously,” Sarkisian said, “but I think he’ll be fine for Saturday.”
Davis returned from a rib injury that had kept him out of practice for three weeks. He appears on track to play against Idaho.
“We have to put him in the game — it’s the only way you get over some of that stuff,” Sarkisian said. “A lot of time, with injuries, as much as it is physical, it’s mental.
“He’s physically cleared to play. Now he’s got to get over the mental hurdle.”
Pelon had arthroscopic knee surgery last month. Sarkisian said the senior “had to work a little bit of rust off,” but looked good. If he recovers from practice each day this week, “all signs are pointing to him playing Saturday,” Sarkisian said.
Quick hits
USC, which defeated Arkansas State, 55-6, remained eighth in the Associated Press media poll and 10th in the coaches’ poll. ... The Trojans are 43-point favorites over Idaho.