USC senior middle linebacker Cameron Smith attempted to play Saturday night at Utah, but after a few short cameos during the Utes’ first two drives he was relegated to player-coach for the rest of the evening.
The Trojans knew they were going to have their hands full with the zone-read running scheme of quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zack Moss, but they also felt comfortable going with true freshman Palaie Gaoteote in Smith’s place after Gaoteote racked up a team-high nine tackles against Colorado.
Gaoteote left the Colorado game in the third quarter with concussion-like symptoms but was cleared to play against Utah this week.