LOS ANGELES — USC sophomore quarterback JT Daniels suffered an apparent leg injury in the second quarter of Saturday night’s 31-23 win over Fresno State and did not return.
Daniels was on crutches while wearing street clothes on the sideline in the third quarter. X-rays on the leg came back negative, and head coach Clay Helton said he would undergo an MRI late Saturday.
“You see a kid that’s poured so much into the game and into this team and to his becoming better, both physically and mentally as a quarterback,” Helton said. “I said a prayer as soon as I saw it, and I’m hoping we get the best results tomorrow. We’ll see where it lies.”
Daniels was replaced by true freshman Kedon Slovis, a four-star recruit from Arizona who took over to begin the second half with USC holding a 17-10 lead.
Slovis beat out redshirt junior Matt Fink and redshirt sophomore Jack Sears to win the backup job. Sears announced this week he will enter the transfer portal and is no longer with the team.
Daniels completed 25 of 34 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game. It was his first start running new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell’s system.
Slovis went 6-of-8 for 57 yards and an interception.