/ STAFF WRITER
Safety was among the potentially problematic positions for USC entering the 2015 season. You wouldn’t have known it watching the Trojans’ opener Saturday night.
Starters Chris Hawkins and John Plattenburg played superbly, combining for 10 tackles, including one for a loss, an interception and a fumble recovery in USC’s 55-6 victory over Arkansas State.
Saturday marked Hawkins’ first start at free safety. He began last season as a starting cornerback but struggled with penalties. The coaching staff shifted him to safety in spring, and he took to it. He also played corner late against the Red Wolves, giving the Trojans a movable chess piece in their defensive backfield.