Pete Thamel: Jordan Addison unlikely to play, Eric Gentry, Ralen Goforth game-time decisions for USC at Arizona

USC has been dealing with some injuries after their bye week, including leading receiver Jordan Addison and linebackers Eric Gentry and Ralen Goforth.

With the Trojans getting ready to take on Arizona this week, Lincoln Riley wasn’t ready to rule the trio out earlier this week, but Pete Thamel of ESPN revealed a less than positive update regarding Addison, Gentry and Goforth for Saturday’s game.

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“Breaking news this morning, Jordan Addison, unlikely to play tonight versus Arizona,” stated Thamel. “There’s two other key Trojans, Eric Gentry and Ralen Goforth, going to be game-time decisions.”

Evidently, the Trojans offense will be dealing with missing Addison throughout the game, while their defense will hold out hope that the linebacker duo is able to suit up on Saturday.

Nevertheless, USC could use a victory in their first game since losing to Utah. As they look to start the second half of the season strong, the Trojans will be roaring and ready to roll.

Lincoln Riley ‘pissed off’ after Utah loss, fired up for second half of the season

Moreover, USC coach Lincoln Riley didn’t mince words following a heartbreaking 43-42 loss to Utah. After the Utes converted a two-point conversion to take the lead with 48 seconds remaining, the Trojans offense was unable to come up with a quick response. 

The loss was the first all year for USC, and Riley admitted to feeling “pissed off” in his postgame press conference. However, with five regular season games in front of them, he believes the team’s goals are still within reach. 

“Look, we knew we were gonna get everything tonight,” Riley said. “This lined up for a million reasons to (where) you’re gonna get a really good football team over there. Players, coach, they deserve a ton of credit. But you’re gonna get their very best shot here on the road with all the emotion behind this game. I felt like we would be right there, and we were and that wasn’t even close to our best. 

“Like I said before, these (players) haven’t, but our staff, we’ve all been there. We know what it looks like to make a run, and this team has got a real shot. We’ve got to go do it. It ain’t gonna just happen. But if we handle this like I think we will, we’ve got a real shot. I’m pissed right now that we lost and disappointed for the guys. They fought their guts out. But it’s balance like that between I’m so excited for the back half of this year. So excited to keep coaching this guys. Sh*t, I’m ready to go practice right now.”

Riley’s inaugural season in Los Angles has otherwise gone well, as the Trojans are already surpassed their win total from a year ago. They’ll face a difficult path to make the Playoff now, but if they can win out to earn a spot in the conference title game, they’ll still have a chance.