USC Notebook: Improvements to travel and recovery could be difference maker for Trojans

LOS ANGELES -- As the USC Trojans football team prepares to travel for their first away game of the season this Saturday to face their first Big Ten opponent, the Purdue Boilermakers, a few adjustments have been made to help players and coaches adjust to the lengthy travels ahead. 

USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley spoke to the media after Tuesday afternoon's practice, discussing the significant changes they have made as a program when preparing for the week of an away game and beyond. 

“We even changed the type of airplane we’re in,” coach Riley said. “We’ve made a couple of changes in the schedule, timing in eating, time we’re putting them to bed, and done a lot of research on sleep.”

Coach Riley even went on to say that their practice schedule has changed entirely, now utilizing the practice field on Sunday nights and having Monday as an off day. Additionally, the Trojans also practice on Friday morning of game week when they are scheduled at the Coliseum. 

Timing has been quintessential to the Trojans' early success in 2025, but even more importantly, sleep has been a factor at play that has helped USC in the long run. 

"That was the biggest emphasis coming into this season, getting a lot of sleep," USC quarterback Jayden Maiava said after Tuesday afternoon's practice. "Every single day during camp, they would give us the sleep facts, so if it's working for the people at the highest level, why not do it for us too?" 

Maiava then goes on to say that he tries to get at least eight hours of sleep or more every day for better brain function and better reaction time, which, of course, can translate heavily onto the field for better overall performance.   

With their first Big Ten matchup just days away, the Trojans are pulling out all the stops to ensure that they are the most prepared team on the field in terms of recovery and game plan in a tough environment like Purdue.