Dec. 22--USC took steps Monday toward a virtual football future.
During a Trojans practice for the Dec. 30 Holiday Bowl against Wisconsin, representatives of a Palo Alto-based company that developed virtual reality technology utilized by several college and NFL teams were on hand as quarterback Cody Kessler and teammates went through a drill.
The company, STRIVR, shoots images with a 360-degree camera. Players can later go through reps with a virtual reality headset.
USC Coach Clay Helton described Monday's exercise as a "test run" and "experiment."
"To be able to put on goggles and get reps without wearing an arm down," he said, "or being able to play live reps when you're in an offseason, is invaluable, so we're looking into it."
The STRIVR technology, developed at Stanford, has been utilized by Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan.
The fifth-year senior led the Cardinal to victories over the Trojans in September and in the Pac-12 Conference title game this month.
Helton, impressed by Hogan's performance throughout the season, met last month with STRIVR representatives and was intrigued.
"From a quarterback coaches' view, and how Kevin has progressed up at Stanford with this," Helton said, "I think it's invaluable."
Players were not made available to the media after practice.
Getting stronger
USC's receiver corps appears to be returning to full strength just in time to face a Wisconsin team that has given up only six touchdown passes, second fewest among major college teams.
Trojans junior Isaac Whitney is practicing for the Holiday Bowl after sitting out eight games.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Whitney has eight catches, two for touchdowns.
Wisconsin has faced only two opponents that passed for more than 19 touchdowns: Nebraska with 26 and Troy with 21.
Kessler has passed for 29.
Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has 10 touchdown catches. Receiver Steven Mitchell Jr. and tight end Taylor McNamara each have four. Whitney is one of four Trojans with two.
Seymour injured
Senior cornerback Kevon Seymour suffered an ankle injury and did not complete practice.
