LOS ANGELES — Jack Sears remembers the text messages.
After Sears replaced JT Daniels as USC’s starting quarterback against Arizona State on Oct. 27, his inspiring performance drew a flood of congratulatory notes from friends and family.
It took about a week before Sears managed to respond to everyone.
“It was overwhelming at first,” Sears said.
Although the Sun Devils dealt the Trojans a 38-35 loss, Sears played well and seemed to give a spark to an offense that had been struggling for most of this season, passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
It marked, though, a short stint as the starter. The redshirt freshman passer returned to the bench the following week at Oregon State when Daniels returned from a concussion.
Sears acknowledged the adjustment wasn’t easy. After enrolling at USC in January 2017, he had finally made his way onto the field, scratching a long-held itch.
“I’ve had that itch since I got here, especially now that I got a taste for it,” Sears said. “It grew. I loved playing in front of the Coliseum in front of our fans with those guys, and I’d love to have another shot at it.”
Since his start against Arizona State, the Trojans’ season has continued to go sideways, with losses in two of the following three games, including consecutive defeats against Cal and UCLA.
Sears’ eagerness to return to the field has remained.
“I don’t think winning or losing really impacts it,” Sears said. “I think, regardless, I want to be playing out there and competing. But I want to help this team any way I can, and that’s up to the coaches. I’m doing what I can do.”
Sears was involved in a three-man competition for the starting job in preseason training camp until Daniels got the nod.
In 2016, Trojans coach Clay Helton made an in-season quarterback switch, replacing opening-day starter Max Browne with Sam Darnold after three games in an attempt to ignite a stagnant offense.
But Helton has stuck with Daniels as the starter despite his ups and downs, and he remarked that the true freshman fared well against UCLA in last weekend’s loss despite a pair of interceptions.
Sears posted a passer rating of 165.50 against Arizona State, a mark eclipsed by Daniels in only one start this season.
While relegated to a backup role, Sears said he had no plans to transfer elsewhere after this season, a common trend for many former highly-recruited quarterbacks who do not start. He was previously a four-star recruit from San Clemente High.
Sears intends to complete his undergraduate degree at USC following the fall 2019 semester.
“I love this university,” Sears said. “I love the networking. I know how much this school means. I’ve been determined to get my degree since I got here. I’m working my butt off to do that.”
With a degree, he could then leave as a graduate transfer and play immediately at another school in 2020 with two seasons of eligibility remaining. If he transferred after this season, Sears would sit out next season.
His wait will continue.
FINAL GOODBYES
Helton said USC’s senior day against Notre Dame on Saturday will be an emotional evening for him as 24 seniors will play their final game at the Coliseum.
“They were the ones as freshmen that helped fight for a Pac-12 South title and helped me get the job,” Helton said. “Then we look up and we win a Rose Bowl together and a Pac-12 title together.”
Several of them started as freshmen in 2015, including center Toa Lobendahn, cornerback Iman Marshall and cornerback Cameron Smith, as Helton was promoted from interim coach.
BOWL ELIGIBILITY REQUISITE
Although some teams in recent seasons had made a bowl game despite a 5-7 record, no such fate awaits USC should it falter against Notre Dame.
The Pac-12 approved a rule before this season requiring teams to win at least six regular-season games in order to become bowl eligible.
The Trojans are 5-6 overall entering their regular-season finale.
QUICK HITS
Inside linebacker John Houston remained sidelined for a second straight practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring strain. If he cannot play against the Fighting Irish, true freshman Palaie Gaoteote will start in his place. … Jake Olson, USC’s blind long snapper, was the recipient of the 2018 Walter Camp Award of Perseverance.
