WATCH: UCLA LB Isaiah Chisom previews USC offense
UCLA will meet 19th-ranked USC in the 95th edition of the battle for Los Angeles in Saturday’s season finale at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
But it will be the first taste of the crosstown rivalry for Bruins linebacker Isaiah Chisom, who is completing his first season in Westwood after transferring from Oregon State.
The Trojans dropped three spots in the Associated Press Top 25 poll after failing to keep up with No. 5 Oregon in a 42-27 road loss this past weekend. It marked the fourth time USC was held below 30 points in the past five games after scoring no fewer than 31 during a 5-1 start.
Still, Chisom said the primary focus is on “the details” in their own preparation for the likes of USC quarterback Jayden Maiava and top receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane. The key is to limit the chunk gains, Chisom said.
That will be easier said than done against Lemon, who was named one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award given annually to the nation’s top receiver.
“It’s really just honing in on the details, like, it’s just small stuff,” Chisom said after Tuesday’s practice. “In the other games, if we do this better there’s no explosive plays. So, that’s really been the main focus, just focusing on us, because every team we’ve played has really explosive players.
“I think (Maiava) does a great job at getting out the pocket when he needs to, and he trusts his receivers. So, they have no problem just throwing the ball up and his receivers are gonna make plays.”
Isaiah Chisom media availability (11/25)
Watch the full press conference below, including the Southern California native’s personal thoughts on playing for the Victory Bell for the first time:
