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TROJANS CONTINUE GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC PREP
While most celebrated the Christmas holiday on Monday, the USC Trojans (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12), No. 8 in the College Football Playoff rankings, kept things business as usual with a two-hour practice to continue preparation for facing the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2, 8-1 Big Ten) in the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
USC got its first feel of AT&T Stadium with practice in shells and shorts. The Trojans went through a high-energy workout encompassing individual drills and game situations.
“It was a good ‘Tuesday’ practice for us,” said head coach Clay Helton. “We got in most of our first and second down game plan that was basically a repeat for us from the last two weeks. But, it was good to get in here, to be able to review and get back into AT&T Stadium to work around. So overall, a good day for us.”
As the matchup against the Buckeyes draws closer, Helton said a primary focus of the practices back home and here in North Texas has been to make sure the team stays sharp with a four-week gap between games.
“The energy and focus of our first two practices here I’ve been really impressed with,” added Helton. “Our kids understand how important a game this is to both universities, both fanbases, how much respect that we have for Ohio State and how well we’re going to prepare to have the opportunity to win a game here at AT&T Stadium.”
Following practice, USC enjoyed a private team event at Main Event Entertainment.
Tomorrow, the Trojans embark on another busy day of bowl festivities including a second practice at AT&T Stadium in the afternoon.
The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic celebrates its 82nd anniversary on Friday, Dec. 29. Airtime on ESPN is set for 7:30 p.m. CST, with kickoff slated for 7:40 p.m.
This marks the fourth consecutive year for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl to be a part of the ESPN bowl lineup. Bob Wischusen and Brock Huard are set to provide the call from the booth with Allison Williams reporting from the sidelines.
ESPN Radio returns as the Classic's national radio partner for the sixth consecutive year. Brad Sham, the "Voice of the Dallas Cowboys," teams with Rod Gilmore in the booth and Quint Kessenich on the sidelines to describe all the action from AT&T Stadium. This is Sham's 21st consecutive year as the Classic's play-by-play voice and his 25th overall.
