USC football: Jabari Ruffin stepped up in debut

After sitting out the opener against Hawaii because of a foot injury, USC linebacker Morgan Breslin hopes to play Saturday against Washington State.

But Jabari Ruffin showed he can be a capable replacement.

Ruffin, a redshirt freshman from Downey, started Thursday’s game and made three tackles in the Trojans’ 30-13 victory.

“I tried to know what to expect my first college game,� Ruffin said, adding that defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, “got me right in camp. I basically did everything he taught me and played hard.�

Breslin also assisted Ruffin from the sideline.

“He was helping out there every series,� Ruffin said. “He was telling me things I could do better and things I was doing well. It was really good to have a vet like that in my ear.�

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