ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

Report: USC could start third-string quarterback against ASU this week

Oct 21, 2018, 6:56 PM | Updated: 6:58 pm

Utah defensive tackle Hauati Pututau (41) sacks Southern California quarterback JT Daniels (18) dur...

Utah defensive tackle Hauati Pututau (41) sacks Southern California quarterback JT Daniels (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

After suffering its first home loss of the season on Thursday, ASU football is tasked with a tough road test against Pac-12 South co-leader USC next Saturday.

The path to victory might be a little easier for the Sun Devils as USC coach Clay Helton announced on his Sunday teleconference that starting quarterback J.T. Daniels is in concussion protocol while backup Matt Fink won’t play against ASU because of three broken ribs.

If Daniels is unable to go, third-stringer Jack Sears will assume the starting role for Saturday’s game.

Daniels, a true freshman, missed the fourth quarter of the Trojans’ 41-28 loss to Utah on Saturday after suffering a head injury.

Fink replaced Daniels and was 6-of-7 for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Sears, a redshirt freshman, hasn’t played a snap in college.

ASU, at 1-3, is in last place in the Pac-12 South but is just 1 1/2 games behind USC and Utah atop the standings.

The game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday on ABC.

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