There’s an ideal way to enter the first game of the season and the Trojans are moving in the opposite direction.
On Thursday, head coach Clay Helton didn’t sound confident describing starting center Toa Lobendahn’s chances of playing against UNLV on Saturday.
Lobendahn has missed three days of practice, including Thursday, with a pectoral injury.
While Helton was happy to report good progress from linebacker Porter Gustin and left tackle Austin Jackson, his assessment of Lobendahn was not as positive.
“[He’s] not looking as good as the other two,” Helton said.
Redshirt freshman Brett Neilon has worked with the first team in Lobendahn’s absence throughout the offseason, first for the whole of Spring Camp and then as needed in Fall Camp.