USC players interact with a Beluga whale at SeaWorld

Reporting from San Diego — USC captains received kisses from a sea lion at the San Diego Zoo on Wednesday. By Thursday, it was “Allua” the Beluga whale’s turn at SeaWorld.

Players went behind the scenes of the “Wild Arctic” exhibit to perform tricks with the whale.

“So what do I do?” asked quarterback Cody Kessler, as the whale popped out of the water and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Defensive lineman Leonard Williams, center Max Tuerk, receiver Nelson Agholor and linebackers Hayes Pullard and Scott Felix also interacted with the whale.

“Its head is so soft,” said Williams after he received a kiss from the whale. “It’s all squishy.”

USC plays Nebraska on Saturday in the Holiday Bowl.

Questions about USC? Email me at [email protected] or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.