USC coach Clay Helton had his reasons for extending the Trojans’ quarterback competition into the first game week, potentially taking away valuable reps for JT Daniels running the first-team offense.
When Daniels took a big hit on USC’s first offensive series, bruising his hand, Helton received his validation. He wanted to be confident that Matt Fink or Jack Sears would be game-ready if called upon, and, with Daniels being checked out by doctors and training staff in the injury tent, Helton looked Fink’s way.
Fink wasn’t asked to do much during his lone series, as the ground game pounded away at Stanford’s defense.