Deven Bryant has become one of the steady forces for USC’s defense, and the Washington transfer is heading into a major test with the No. 18 Trojans set to face No. 9 Indiana in Week 11.
Bryant leads USC with 55 total tackles, including 32 solo stops and 23 assisted tackles. After practice on Nov. 11, the redshirt junior laid out how the Trojans are approaching a Hoosiers offense that leans heavily on the ground game.
Indiana’s backfield is the center of the challenge. The Hoosiers are also sorting through two quarterbacks who could start on Saturday, but Bryant made it clear where the main pressure point lies.
Junior Turbo Richard has carried the ball 113 times for 745 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry, and has scored six touchdowns. Senior Lee Beebe Jr. has added 134 carries for 715 yards at 5.3 yards per carry with four touchdowns.
As a team, Indiana is averaging 5.1 yards per carry, which ranks No. 17 nationally. The Hoosiers are running it 33.6 times per game and averaging 172.5 rushing yards per game, good for No.
- They also have 73 rushing first downs, 13 rushing touchdowns, 51 runs of 10-plus yards and 17 runs of 20-plus yards.
“I think they stick to what they're good at. They try not to get off tour and just focus on what they're good at.
At the end of the day, it's their scheme versus our scheme," Bryant said about the upcoming matchup. "We got to go out, attack, play our version of football and stick to what we're good at.”
Bryant also said the message from Patterson this week has been straightforward.
“Stick to us,” Bryant said when asked what was Patterson’s message to the defense this week. “Just keep doing what we're doing, focus on the details that he's emphasized throughout the week and just keeping us.”
The veteran voices around USC’s defense have also played a part in the prep. Bryant pointed to Mike Ekeler and Rob Ryan as key figures in helping the unit lock in on Indiana’s tendencies.
“I think Coach [Mike Ekeler] and Coach [Rob Ryan] have done a great job helping us hone in on the details of what the opposing team wants to do to us," Bryant said about how the veteran coaches have helped the defense. "Give us tips on things that they do, tendencies and things like that.”
The Trojans’ physicality has been a talking point during Lincoln Riley’s tenure, and Bryant said the group has always had that edge. He said it just took time for it to show more clearly.
“I think we're always physical," Bryant said. "It just took a little bit to bring it up, but I think we're always physical.”
When asked why that toughness surfaced later, Bryant pointed to familiarity and comfort within the defense.
“I would say just guys getting comfortable with one another, playing with one another and new scheme. Things of that nature,” Bryant said when asked why the Trojans’ toughness took awhile to come out.
“Just getting comfortable, going around, flying around. That's what I would say.”
Bryant also credited USC’s defensive front for making life easier behind them.
“I think those guys all do a good job just getting off the ball and pressuring the offensive lineman, holding double teams or getting off the ball or just penetrating the line," Bryant said. "Makes it easier for us to see where we need to fit.”
He had praise as well for Newby, saying the linebacker has made real progress this season.
“Yeah, Newby’s come a long way. He's one of those guys that's very vocal, and he makes sure that everybody in the room is doing the right things.
I think every time he's on the field, you see the progress that he's making. All the guys in the room just see what he's able to do out there.
Been very pleased with what he's been able to do this year.”
Bryant said the defense has grown closer by buying into Gary Patterson’s approach from week to week.
“I think we just came together closer. We all just have continued to buy into what Coach [Gary Patterson] has wanted us to do week in week out.
So just getting closer with each other and he's teaching us great things. We're learning them and keep applying things that he's teaching us throughout the week.”
The week’s practice energy has also included some back-and-forth between the offense and defense. Senior running back Waymond Jordan said the units often chirp at each other, and Bryant said that kind of edge helps.
“I think it's important to help one another, bring each other up in practice and bring the best out of one another,” Bryant said about trash talk during practice. “So just going out there, maybe a little trash talk here and there helps each other out, gets guys fired up, ready to go.”
As for whether he’s one of the loud ones, Bryant kept it simple.
“I'm kind of quiet. I just like to go out there, make plays, and just do my job,” Bryant said when asked if he’s a big trash talker.
“I think just making plays and winning honestly gives me joy. Just seeing my teammates succeed out there honestly gives me joy. So that's what I would say.”
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