Mason Cobb excited to return as USC eyes first road trip
The USC Trojans have been fairly impressive on the defensive side in their past two games. And they’ve done it without one of their team leaders in the middle of that unit. Mason Cobb finished USC’s season opener against San Jose State with six tackles but was held out of the Trojans’ next two games due to injury. Cobb is expected to take the field with his teammates on Saturday. And after nearly a month of not playing in a game, Cobb is looking forward to it.
“I’m so excited to be back and playing,” Cobb said after USC’s Tuesday practice. “Practice feels like a game to me, so just flying around, keeping everybody high energy.”
Cobb said the game he missed against Nevada was the first game he’d missed in his career due to injury. That view from the sideline gave him a different perspective and a different role for his team.
“I kind of learned how to be a sideline leader, just being super positive on the sideline, trying to do my best to coach everything,” Cobb said. “Special teams, or running backs blocking linebackers, just any way I can help on the field, I think I was really doing that.”
Cobb said he liked what he saw from inside linebackers Raesjon Davis, Tackett Curtis and Shane Lee, who took the lead against Nevada, and from Eric Gentry when he came back into the lineup against Stanford. Cobb said there “wasn’t much tripping” when he sustained the injury.
“We practiced all spring together, all fall, so I’ve got a lot of trust in those guys,” Cobb said. “The coaches were fine, you know, told me just be patient and get healthy. We’ve got guys like Ray (Davis), and Shane, EG (Gentry) that could come in and ball.”
The bye week looks to have the inside linebacker position as healthy as it’s been all season. That’s good news for a team about to go on a run of nine games in nine weeks, six against currently-ranked opponents. Cobb said that run starts with setting the tone this weekend in Tempe.
“We just need to come out firing,” Cobb said. “That first quarter needs to be fast and nasty…We need to get that juice back.”
Cobb said he’s looking forward to suiting up in the white jersey this weekend, taking the first as a Trojan for the first time away from the Coliseum.
“Away games, man, you’re a villain,” Cobb said. “I love being the bad guy. So yeah, I’m excited.”
USC has yet to be truly tested by an elite offense this season. But the Trojans’ defense has flashed improvement each week. The Arizona State offense played three quarterbacks, turned the ball over eight times and scored zero points against Fresno State this past weekend. Former Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne, who left that game due to injury, is “probable” to return this week. With opening-day starter Jaden Rashada out another month at least, Pyne would likely get the start for the Sun Devils if he’s back. But Cobb isn’t worried about who is under center. Ultimately, it’s all about how that USC defensive front brings pressure and makes plays. Cobb likes what he’s seen there through three games.
“I’m sure you guys have seen it,” Cobb said. “We’re causing havoc. You know, guys like Bear [Alexander] and KB (Kyon Barrs) taking up double teams. Our D line is super physical. And I think that’s a big thing I spoke about in the fall. So you know, my words are coming true.”
