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Steve Sarkisian did his best to make Jake Olson feel at home.
USC didn't blow out his arrival in practice on Tuesday afternoon. They didn't make him available to the press. He just … played.
And that is what Olsen wanted, Sarkisian said. After being cleared by the NCAA, the freshman walk-on long snapper — who is blind — needed to feel like he was just another Trojan.
"It was no different than if we had a freshman running back who had just been cleared to practice," Sarkisian said. "I wanted him to enjoy his experience as just a normal player."
Oh, one more thing: "That being said, he snapped the ball extremely well."
USC hasn't had a ton of feel-good stories so far this fall, but Olson is one of them. The freshman has been involved with the USC football program for a number of years, went on to play high school football and golf, and earned a scholarship through the "Swim with Mike" program, which is an annual scholarship from the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund.
With his skills as a long snapper, Olson wanted a chance to suit up as a Trojan. But USC had to ask for a special waiver, given that his scholarship counted as an athletic scholarship. The NCAA granted the request Monday, and Olson practiced Tuesday.
Olson lost his eyes to retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer. He lost one when he was 2, and one when he was 12. But losing his sight hasn't diminished his competitiveness, Sarkisian said.
"He's at every meeting. He's been at every practice. He's been in the locker room with our guys," he said. "He was a bit anxious, he wants to get on the field. He has a huge heart. Whatever he doesn't have in sight, he makes up for with his heart and his courage."
Sarkisian said Olson hasn't yet been cleared for contact. It's unclear if he'll play in a game this year.
Adams' finger issues
It's been known that Vernon Adams Jr., Oregon's senior quarterback, has issues with the index finger of his throwing hand, but it's contentious how serious exactly those issues are.
CSN Northwest reported Tuesday morning that Adams has suffered a broken finger on his right hand, citing anonymous sources. The report indicates that Adams will be dealing with pain in the digit for several weeks.
Other media outlets reported offensive coordinator Scott Frost had said Adams "wasn't his best" in a three-point loss to Michigan State on Saturday thanks to the finger, which had been bothering him before the game. But it's unclear if the finger actually has a fracture: Oregon won't discuss the specifics of the injury publicly.
Coach Mark Helfrich dodged questions about the finger on a Tuesday afternoon conference call, including if Adams would be ready for Saturday's game against Georgia State, saying only: "We'll go with the best guy for us."
The Utes play Oregon on Sept. 26.
Cal favored vs. Texas
It was almost impossible to imagine Cal being favored in any game two years ago, when the Golden Bears were slogging through a one-win season under new coach Sonny Dykes.
This week, they're favored by as much as seven points over Texas, of all schools. The Longhorns are 1-1 after knocking off Rice last week, but struggled in a season opener against Notre Dame. Texas also just fired its athletic director after less than two years on the job.
Meanwhile, Cal has put up big numbers — and played some surprising defense — in back-to-back wins over Grambling State and San Diego State. The first Power-5 team on Cal's schedule offers some acclaim as the Golden Bears head to Austin.
"I think it means we've come a ways since our first two years," Dykes said. "That's been our thing from Day 1: Get a little bit better. Let's recruit a better student. Let's demand a little bit more. … It's got us to where we are today. We want to keep doing that. We want to keep taking positive steps forward."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Tribune Power Rankings
1. UCLA (2-0)
Not as impressive offensively, but UNLV had no luck passing on Bruins
2. USC (2-0)
Romped even with backups in, but the real tests begin vs. Stanford this week
3. Oregon (1-1)
The loss won't linger as long as concern over Vernon Adams' finger
4. Utah (2-0)
Physicality has been impressive, but the injuries to Dimick and Wilson are concerning
5. Arizona (2-0)
Nick Wilson helped carry the load with 197 rushing yards vs. Nevada
6. Cal (2-0)
San Diego State couldn't back down the Bears D after the opening drive
7. Arizona State (1-1)
Closer-than-expected game vs. Cal Poly puts Sun Devils as a question mark
8. Stanford (1-1)
Kevin Hogan looked more like the quarterback the Cardinal were expecting
9. Washington (1-1)
Jake Browning is gaining confidence, and so is the Huskies defense
10. Colorado (1-1)
One of the best rushing days ever for the Buffs with 390 yards
11. Oregon State (1-1)
The Beavers looked totally lost for the final three quarters against the Wolverines
12. Washington St. (1-1)
Surprising comeback vs. Rutgers adds some hope after huge Week 1 letdown