USC freshman linebacker Tackett Curtis ejected for targeting in 2nd quarter vs. Nevada

USC freshman linebacker Tackett Curtis was ejected from the Trojans Week 1 game against Nevada for targeting in the second quarter. Because Curtis was ejected in the first half, he will be available for all of USC’s next game in Week 2, against Stanford.

The loss of Curtis looms large in the current matchup, as USC was already playing without a pair of inside linebackers, Eric Gentry and Mason Cobb. The Trojans are now down to their fourth and fifth middle linebackers.

Nevada wideout Dalevon Campbell was fighting for extra yardage when Curtis came in and delivered a hit that knocked Campbell’s helmet off.

That’ll be a targeting penalty on Tackett Curtis from my view – We’ll see pic.twitter.com/R7q6No0ES8

— Scott Schrader (@Scott_Schrader) September 2, 2023

Curtis reflected on his first start in Week 0 ahead of the Week 1 matchup

As USC prepared for their Week 1 matchup against the Nevada Wolf Pack, their true freshman linebacker took some time to reflect on his first college game.

“I just I just came in and worked as hard as I could as soon as I got in the spring, doing everything they told me to the best of my ability,” said Curtis. “I wanted to make sure that whenever my number was called, I was prepared, and I was ready to go. So, if they call my number, whenever it is, I’m gonna go out there and play the best I can, help you with the team the best that I can.”

Curtis received quite a few defensive snaps against the Spartans. He finished the game with two total tackles, one solo and one assistant. Overall, Curtis had a very solid performance on the night, given that that was his first-ever collegiate game. But how did he feel about the performance?

“I think it was a good starting point. I made a lot of mistakes. There were some good things. But I felt like it was a good starting point; I gotta start somewhere. Just evaluating how I played on film, (I’m) learning from my mistakes and making sure they don’t happen again.”

Curtis’ mistakes against San Jose State could have been from a multitude of things. The pace of the game is much faster in college compared to high school. Not to mention, some of the venues, like the Colosseum, are massive. And it’s those two things that Curtis highlighted that played a part in the time it took for him to get adjusted to on Saturday.

“It’s a little bit different. I mean, it’s college ball, game atmosphere,” said Curtis. “I want to say the speed more than the atmosphere. Just trying to settle down and just like look at my rules and go back to playing ball.”