The practices prior to the USC football team’s Alamo Bowl game against TCU served many purposes beyond getting ready for the final game of the season. For two examples, it was a chance to play with teammates who were in their final year of eligibility as well as an opportunity for younger, less experienced players to step up. “These practices mean everything,” defensive end Braylan Shelby told reporters before the bowl game. “It allows us to take a step back, work our way back up as well and go back through the fundamentals of football but also learning to play fast with all the new guys that we have.” The Trojans’ defense will need to start fresh next season, and the defensive line...
