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USC is preparing for a noisy Rice-Eccles Stadium

Center Max Tuerk (75) and USC will have to deal with boisterous fans this week when play at Utah.
(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)
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Max Tuerk is ready for the noise.

On Saturday, the crowd at Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium is expected to crank up the volume for the No. 20 Trojans with hopes of contributing to USC miscues.

Two years ago, on USC’s second play, center Khaled Holmes bounced a snap to quarterback Matt Barkley in the shotgun formation. A Utah player ripped it from Barkley’s grasp and ran eight yards to the end zone for a touchdown.

On USC’s next possession, a mistimed snap resulted in a fumble — and set up another Utah touchdown, putting USC behind, 14-0, less than three minutes into the game.

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USC came back to win, 38-28, but the Trojans would like to avoid a repeat against a No. 19 Utah team that is contending for the Pac-12 Conference title.

Tuerk was a reserve tackle and guard in 2012. “I played a couple plays,” he said of the Trojans’ visit to Utah. “It was extremely loud.”

Tuerk started all but one game at guard last season. He was moved to center during spring practice.

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound junior has been a stabilizing influence for a young offensive line that will face its greatest challenge to date against Utah.

The Utes are averaging 5 1/2 sacks per game, best in the nation. End Nate Orchard has 10 1/2 sacks, but the pressure comes from all angles.

“It comes from everywhere,” Tuerk said, adding, “We’re working really hard this week to get our pass sets down and get our assignments down.”

USC has given up 16 sacks.

Trojans Coach Steve Sarkisian had crowd noise and static piped into practice this week to prepare players for Saturday.

“We’re clapping our hands for the cadence so that’s really helping me out,’’ Tuerk said.

Sarkisian said the offensive line does not require extra incentive from coaches regarding Utah’s pass rush.

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“It’s pretty clear as player and as competitor — you notice the areas where challenges can arise and obviously that’s a very clear one,” he said, adding, “I don’t have to rely on external motivators.”

Sarao stepping up

Linebacker Anthony Sarao made a career-best 12 tackles last week against Colorado, and the junior from New Jersey will probably be active again Saturday.

Utah running back Devontae Booker rushed for 229 yards against Oregon State and is averaging 123.7 yards rushing per game.

Sarao said the 5-foot-11, 203-pound Booker “never goes down on the first tackle.”

USC’s run defense has improved since giving up 452 yards rushing against Boston College.

The Trojans gave up 52 yards rushing against Oregon State, 31 against Arizona State, 77 against Arizona and 170 against Colorado.

Quick hits

Fullback Soma Vainuku, who is nursing a hamstring injury, was not present for the first hour of Thursday’s closed practice. His status for Saturday’s game is uncertain. … USC is 9-3 against Utah.

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