USC Trojans lose starting QB JT Daniels to torn ACL

The USC Trojans were supposed to be one of the nation's most-improved teams from a year ago, and it started with the return of sophomore quarterback JT Daniels. But the plan for a program resurgence took a huge hit Saturday night, and it was a hit to Daniels.

Daniels suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in the second quarter of the Trojans' 31-23 win over Fresno State. Daniels landed awkwardly on a sack just before halftime and did not return, finishing 25-of-34 for 215 yards, one TD and one INT. An MRI confirmed the season-ending diagnosis.

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"Gut-wrenching," coach Clay Helton said Saturday after the game. "When you see a guy who's poured so much into the game and into this team and into his becoming better physically and mentally as a quarterback."

Daniels was a five-star prospect in the Class of 2018. He started for USC last season as a freshman, throwing for 2,672 yards, 14 TDs and 10 INTs, and USC finished just 5-7. Expectations were higher with new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell in the fold for this season.

Now it appears the offense may be back in the hands of a freshman. Kedon Slovis took over for Daniels on Saturday. Slovis, a three-star recruit from Arizona, won a preseason competition for the No. 2 spot. He went 6-of-8 for 57 yards and one INT after being thrown into the fire against Fresno State.

The Trojans now begin a tough portion of their schedule, with games coming up against No. 25 Stanford this Saturday, following by a trip to BYU then matchups with No. 14 Utah, No. 13 Washington and No. 9 Notre Dame.

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