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Mobile, unflinching Sam Darnold should help USC’s young offensive line

LOS ANGELES >> USC coach Clay Helton was recently razzing Neil Callaway, the Trojans’ offensive line coach

“In that Rose Bowl, we had zero sacks,” Helton reminded Callaway, “but probably could have been sacked 12 times.”

They knew one reason why quarterback Sam Darnold was not brought to the ground against Penn State: Darnold himself.

“He just got out of pressure situations and made really special plays,” Helton said. “And that’s one of the reasons that makes him special.”

One of the questions for USC this training camp centers on its offensive line and how well it can protect Darnold when its season begins next month.