USC’s Justin Dedich doesn’t play to open Arizona State game
Gino Quinones started in Dedich's place at right guard and was promptly called for a false start on the second play of the game.
LOS ANGELES — Starting right guard and captain Justin Dedich did not start for USC in its game against Arizona State on Saturday night.
Dedich warmed up with the team and gave a pep talk to the Trojans following the team’s stretches. And he was a full participant in portions of practice open to media on Tuesday and Wednesday. But he did not play for USC in the opening two drives of Saturday’s game.
Gino Quinones started in Dedich’s place at right guard and was promptly called for a false start on the second play of the game.
Tight end Lake McRee did not dress for Saturday’s game with an unspecified injury. McRee made four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown through the first four games of the season.
Receiver Terrell Bynum, who has had one reception for 29 yards this season, also did not dress for the Trojans.
USC returns to LT shuffle
After two weeks of Bobby Haskins getting every snap at left tackle, Courtland Ford returned to action on Saturday.
Haskins still got the start for USC, but Ford, who missed the last two games with an ankle injury, went in to protect quarterback Caleb Williams’ blind side on the second series of the game, following a similar pattern from the first two games of the season.
USC honors Nichols
USC honored late assistant coach Dave Nichol with a pregame ceremony at the Coliseum on Saturday prior to the Trojans’ game against Arizona State.
Nichol, a long-time collaborator whom head coach Lincoln Riley credited with helping him get his start in coaching, died after a battle with cancer in late March at the age of 45. He joined Riley’s first USC coaching staff as a receivers coach during the off-season.
During the ceremony, Riley stood with arms over the shoulders of members of Nichol’s family while the USC roster gathered in the background.
USC announced that it will wear black “DN” decals on the players’ helmets for the duration of the season in Nichol’s honor.