USC puts campus statues under wraps ahead of rivalry week

USC and UCLA are not scheduled to meet for another week and a half, but that hasn’t stopped the Trojans from getting a head start at taking precautionary measures.

As of Monday, the statue on USC’s campus of mascot Tommy Trojan was wrapped up:

Apparently #USC wanted to get a head start, Tommy Trojan is already taped up in anticipation for Rivalry Week against UCLA: pic.twitter.com/nrSOKVC5H7

— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) November 7, 2016

Horse “Traveler” also was wrapped:

Traveler & Tommy Trojan are already sporting their protector gear ready to take on the approaching Rivalry Week! #FightOn #BeattheBruins pic.twitter.com/LETgfcFJjL

— USC Alumni Assoc. (@USCAlumni) November 8, 2016

As were other campus statues:

Rivalry week preparations at USC have started early. pic.twitter.com/yfE5sLZRwH

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) November 9, 2016

Here’s what Tommy Trojan typically looks like:

Hello old friend, it has been while #tommytrojan #uscvoregon #homecoming at #USC https://t.co/cR5jTaZT1t pic.twitter.com/MWygXBA6ZV

— Larry Lloyd (@DucNekked) November 5, 2016

The 6-3 Trojans have a difficult matchup against No. 4 Washington on Saturday. The week after they face crosstown rival UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. UCLA is currently 3-6.

During rivalry week, students/supporters from each school tend to pull pranks on the other, such as this, which leads USC to cover its statues, and UCLA to put its Bruin on campus in “hibernation” to avoid vandalism.

Photo: Rg998/Wikimedia