USC linebacker Michael Hutchings is prepared for his first start

Michael Hutchings is ready for his moment.

Hutchings, a sophomore, will start for USC for the first time in place of linebacker Hayes Pullard on Saturday at Boston College.

Pullard was penalized for targeting in the second half of USC’s victory at Stanford, so he must sit out the first half.

“I’m definitely excited for my first start,” Hutchings said Wednesday. “It’s not the circumstances that we would want with Hayes being ejected, but it is an exciting process.”

Hutchings intercepted a pass against Fresno State and filled in for Pullard after his ejection at Stanford.

“I’ve been backing up Hayes for a while,” he said. “I’ve been preparing for something like this.”

Hutchings said, “I can’t try to be Hayes. I’ve got to be my own person.”

The two linebackers share an apartment, and Hutchings said he has learned from the senior.

“I study his every move,” Hutchings said. “How he watches film, how he studies, how he prepares for the game…. I prepare every game like I’m him.”

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