USC football loses starting safety and captain to COVID-19
USC football’s 2021 season is starting with a hurdle as starting safety and captain Isaiah Pola-Mao will miss the San Jose State game with COVID-19.
Teams around college football are dealing with COVID-19 absences. USC football has now joined them.
The Trojans will play Saturday’s season-opener against San Jose State without team captain and starting safety Isaiah Pola-Mao. He is out with COVID-19, according to Keely Eure of USCFootball.com.
USC football has to replace Isaiah Pola-Mao on short notice
Pola-Mao was set to play an integral role for USC’s defense this year. Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando lost safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Olaijah Griffin to the NFL draft, leaving his secondary short on experience.
Without Pola-Mao, the Trojans are likely to turn to transfers like Xavion Alford from Texas or Chris Thompson from Auburn. They could also throw in a freshman like Calen Bullock to fill the gap.
Whatever they figure out, the defense could be more vulnerable than expected against the Spartans. Even though the Trojans are favored by two touchdowns, they have a recent history of starting slow in openers.
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