What We Learned: Inside USC's 'plan on playing (Matt) Fink'

Matt Fink walked off the practice field Tuesday and, knowing a throng of reporters awaited, he first approached his father and the two embraced with a big hug. After they shared a few words, Fink offered many more to the media.

On this day, he was USC’s starting quarterback, a role he hasn’t occupied before, not even for a practice.

“He’s speechless,” Fink said of his father. “Same thing with my family. … It's kind of surreal.”

It'll be real come Saturday in Seattle at Husky Stadium. Kedon Slovis has yet to clear concussion protocol, and it wasn’t hard to parse from how the team discussed the situation after practice that Fink will likely get the nod -- even if Slovis were to be cleared before kickoff.

"We plan on playing Fink," OC Graham Harrell said. "We need him to play well and I expect him to do that."

Fink, of course, produced a stellar line (21 of 30, 351 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) in what amounted to his first full game in four years at USC, with Harrell offering praise for how he gave his wide receivers chances to make plays. The OC also stressed the need to clean up reads.

Both Harrell and Clay Helton have directed Fink to be smart with his body, which could manifest in few designed runs. But they also plan to utilize his greatest asset -- his mobility.

“His ability to create is something that’s important in this offense,” Helton said. “He’s a good quarterback throwing on the run, so we won't take that away from him. He’s got to be able to create. Washington has a good pass rush that can get to quarterbacks. He’s got to be able to escape the pocket when given, keep his eyes up, keep his eyes downfield.”

Harrell added: “You got to let the guy go play. You can’t play scared of seeing someone hurt. Obviously you don’t want to put unnecessary hits on him but you also can’t handcuff the kid. He’s got to go play his game. To give yourself the best chance to be successful, you got to be yourself.”

It presents a rather fascinating dichotomy given that USC needs a big performance form Fink, however it can get it, but probably won’t have Slovis as a safety net should Fink go down.

“My game hasn’t changed whatsoever,” Fink said. “Obviously the coaches told me to be careful in that way but my game is my game. I’m going to try to protect myself because obviously I know the situation, but like I said I’m going to keep playing the way I play.”

With USC down to just one healthy scholarship QB, walk-on Brandon Perdue, who spent the entire spring working at safety and is customarily called upon to assist on special teams, claimed the second-team reps Tuesday, while wide receiver Tyler Vaughns lined up behind center for a few snaps in the event of an emergency. Harrell said he’d consider wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown as well.

Those three obviously aren’t his primary focus, however.

“I spend most of my time trying to figure out how to win with Fink,” Harrell said.

The redshirt junior revealed USC is anticipating Washington to mimic BYU’s blueprint to grounding the Ari Raid: drop eight, Cover 3 cloud.

“But they could switch it up on us,” Fink said. “They could blitz us, they could play man, we don’t really know. But we’re preparing for any situation.”

What makes the Huskies a potentially tougher defensive draw is their ability to disguise their coverages. It means Fink’s timing and the receivers’ route-running need to both be crisp.

“That makes a little bit more pressure on me,” Fink said. “I got to go through my reads a little bit faster and if need be dump it off to the running backs.”

Fink’s focus appears to be strictly on this game, which is what his coaches are hoping as well. Naturally, there could be a temptation, after waiting years for the opportunity, for him to press in hopes of playing so well that he wins the job. Harrell made it clear that performing well Saturday was all that Fink should be concerned with.

“My message to Matt is go compete and win a game,” Harrell said. “We’re focused on this week and obviously I think Kedon’s a special player. Matt’s done a heck of a job but he’s got to focus on winning the game this week for us and that’s our focus.”

FOOTNOTES

Helton said Slovis, who attended Tuesday’s practice, has also been involved in meetings and is mentally preparing for Washington in the event he’s cleared.
Safety Talanoa Hufanga is in the concussion protocol and has an AC sprain in his shoulder. He took in practice with a towel over his head and appears to be doubtful for Saturday. Chase Williams took first-team reps in Hufanga’s place.
Cornerback Olaijah Griffin, who’s still dealing with back spasms, didn’t practice but did some light running. The plan is for him to ramp up activity Wednesday. Isaac Taylor-Stuart, who missed the Utah game because of a concussion, returned to practice and worked opposite Chris Steele with the first team.
Defensive end Christian Rector (ankle) didn’t practice. Helton said he too will increase his activity as the week progresses. It didn’t sound like he might be out but rather is being given veteran’s rest. Rector played 57 snaps versus Utah, and Helton said the senior told him Tuesday he felt better now than he did last week.
Linebacker Jordan Iosefa (knee) has began running on the AlterG treadmill and the plan is to get him running on grass next week. Helton said there’s an outside hope that he’s back for the Notre Dame game but they expected his recovery to fall on the longer end of the projected length.