Trojans need mental toughness in 2015

by Greg Katz

LOS ANGELES – Since training camp opened for the USC Trojans, head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff have worked on fundamentals, team drills, special situations, and the “Finish Challenge,” a competition to avoid end-of-game collapses.

It’s hoped these practices and the “Finish Challenge” will pay dividends during the heat of a foreboding Pac-12 schedule and a trip to Notre Dame. Steve Sarkisian is optimistic that all the attention to detail will eventually put his team in position to attain a series of 2015 challenges and championships.

With the opener against Arkansas State slightly over two weeks away, the one crucial area that the coaching staff can preach but the team can’t realistically practice is handling the forthcoming emotional pressures from on and off the field.

Click here to read the full story at the ESPN USC blog