Caleb Williams aiming to correct inconsistencies following Week 0 performance

Caleb Williams wants to make sure his game is pristine all year long for USC. Despite a dominant Week Zero victory over San Jose State, there were some inconsistencies according to the quarterback.

Williams turned in a typical early season performance, a good way to start out another Heisman campaign. USC as a whole has bigger goals, such as a conference title and the College Football Playoff.

To get there, Williams has to look inward and that seems to be the plan moving forward after the first game.

“First I’ve got to watch it [the tape],” Williams said. “I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s going to be anything physical. I think it’s all going to be within the mentals and also leading during the week a little bit better than I did last week. Whether it’s me pushing the guys, whether it’s tempo in practice, whether it’s getting more reps in the film room, whatever the case may be. Add more guys to watch a film with me, whatever the case may be.”

Consistency is key, they say. Whether it’s a cliche or not, it’s the message Williams preached postgame.

“I think it all comes from leading in consistency, because I’d say we were a bit inconsistent tonight,” Williams said. “Especially in the first half, a key sense of frustration was inconsistency, I would say, whether it was dropped balls, whether it was me fumbling snaps, whether it was the offensive line missing the defensive line read cues and things like that. Whatever it leads into, I’d say just consistency is the most important part.”

Caleb Williams not satisfied despite Week Zero win

Williams finished the game 18-of-25 passing for 278 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions.

“I feel good,” Williams said. “We’re 1-0. Coach said this and you know, walking off the field, there is a bit of frustration that a couple of the coaches or myself or the players that have been here, seeing and knowing how it should go. I’ve been playing ball for a while in college and been in a lot of games and put in a lot of reps. In the first half, it just felt like we weren’t hitting on certain calibers and things like that, that we’re going to hit here soon. 

“And I spoke to a bunch of leaders in the game right after Coach took me out and the message was, ‘We got a special team.’ But the second part of the message was, ‘We’ve got a long way to go and a lot to get better at.’ The good part is we’re 1-0, and I feel good going into this next week. Now like Coach said, this is a great team, that prepared well and that went out there and executed, and so did we. And we came out with the win in the end.”

No. 6 USC returns to action September 6 at home against Nevada.