USC seeks faster starts entering the stretch run

USC linebacker Su'a Cravens, left, said the Trojans were “kind of looking past” Arizona in the first half of Saturday's game in Los Angeles. / STAFF WRITER

For most of the Steve Sarkisian era, USC was known for its fast starts and sometimes shaky finishes. In 18 games under Sarkisian, the Trojans outscored their opponents, 226-60, in the first quarter. They also lost six of those games.

USC is 3-1 under interim coach Clay Helton – but has been outscored, 49-17, in the first quarter. That includes a 7-0 deficit against Arizona on Saturday night that swelled to 14-0 on the first play of the second quarter.

Avoiding another sluggish start is among the top items on Helton’s to-do list as USC…