Injuries are still shaping the picture for No. 19 USC as the Trojans head to Happy Valley for Saturday’s Oct. 10 matchup with Penn State, and there are several offensive names worth watching right up to kickoff.
On ESPN’s College GameDay, insider Pete Thamel said there are a few game-time decisions tied to USC’s offense. That group includes freshman tight end Mark Bowman, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable. Per Thamel, both Bowman and receiver Trent Mosley will be game-time decisions against Penn State.
Mosley is set to miss his fourth straight game while recovering from a knee injury suffered against Louisiana in Week 2. With USC heading into its first bye next week, the expectation is that he returns after that and is ready for Wisconsin on Oct.
- In Mosley’s place, Zacharyus Williams will keep starting.
USC also got more tough news at receiver. CBS Sports reported Friday that Terrell Anderson will have season-ending surgery.
The NC State transfer has been dealing with injuries since fall camp, and he becomes the second receiver USC has lost for the year. Corey Simms, who started three of the first four games, was lost to a knee injury against Rutgers in Week 3.
Even with those absences, there are still some bright spots in the receiver room. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt had a quiet game against Washington in Week 5, but he still leads the team in receptions and receiving yards.
Tanook Hines turned in his best outing of the season against the Huskies, catching five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Boobie Feaster is also settling into the offense, and freshman Tron Baker is available as well.
At tight end, USC does have some help back. Nela Tupuo returned from injury last week and joins Tucker Ashcraft as the Trojans’ top two options at the position. Carson Tabarraci and Walter Matthews have also contributed this season.
The offensive line is another area to monitor. Guard Hayden Treter is doubtful after missing last week’s game.
Treter was injured against Oregon in Week 4 and was carted off at halftime. If he can’t go, Kaylon Miller would remain in the starting lineup.
USC has been thin on the interior and has struggled there over the past two games.
On defense, lineman Jahkeem Stewart is listed as questionable after making his season debut against Oregon. Stewart left the Washington game in the second quarter while grabbing the same foot that kept him out for the first three games, but he returned to start the second half and later delivered a 48-yard scoop and score that helped fuel USC’s comeback.
Defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren is no longer on the injury report, while Jide Abasiri has appeared on it after being helped off late against Washington and leaving in a walking boot. If USC needs more depth there, Floyd Boucard, Jamaal Jarrett, freshman Tomuhini Topui and Jamieon Winfield are the options available.
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