USC without multiple defensive starters against Oregon
New USC co-defensive coordinators Brian Odom and Shaun Nua will have their hands full with the high-powered offense of the Oregon Ducks tonight. And they’ll be taking on the challenge without a full roster.
Nickel safety Jaylin Smith and linebacker Eric Gentry will miss the game. Smith was not with the safety group as it came out in uniform for pregame warmups. He did not finish last week’s game against Washington. Gentry, likewise, was not with the linebacker group during pregame warmups. He has dealt with injuries since spring ball and previously missed the game against Nevada.
Smith ranks No. 2 on the team in tackles, with 57. He has one forced fumble and came up with the game-winning pass deflection when Cal went for a two-point conversion with less than a minute remaining.
Gentry has done a bit of everything for the Trojans this year. He has 34 tackles, including a sack and four tackles for loss. Gentry has four pass deflections, an interception, a forced fumble and a punt block this season.
Cornerback depth will be tested in this one, though USC has relied on just two for most of its recent games. Neither Jacobe Covington nor Ceyair Wright are going through warmups tonight. Covington has been out since sustaining an injury against Arizona and Wright hasn’t played since that game either. True freshman Makai Lemon, a wide receiver, is working with the cornerbacks before the game.
At linebacker, Raesjon Davis is likely to get the start in place of Gentry. And at nickel, Tre’Quon Fegans has been up next after Smith throughout the season. Fegans saw his most defensive snaps of the season against Washington when Smith went out during that game. Max Williams is also a viable option at nickel.
USC will also be without wide receiver/running back Raleek Brown and wide receiver Michael Jackson III against the Ducks. Brown saw time against Washington last week. It was his first game action since the opening game of the season.
