Thoughts from Wednesday's practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...
- For the second day in a row, the Trojans splashed through a full-pads workout in a constant drizzle that turned the grass field into a veritable mud pit. Players' footing and the passing game was comprised a little, but for the most part, practice went on as usual. And Coach Carroll was glowing after his team trudged through a very productive workout, especially when adding in the elements. "This was great for us -- we had good, solid work today," Carroll said, referring to the wet weather. "Really it was a blessing for us. It was really good for helping the kids adapt."
- The defense caused one fumble during an early-practice rushing-focused 11-on-11 period, which gave the Turnover Wednesday victory to the defense for the second straight week.
- An 11-11 tie in the practice-ending team period wasn't settled by a slip-and-slide on this day, but instead a field goal attempt from the muddiest part of the sodden field. With the whole team surrounding him, kicker Jordan Congdon banked in a 29-yard kick off the left upright for the successful try, igniting a hearty applause from his teammates.
- Carroll declared wideout Ronald Johnson and defensive lineman Armond Armstead officially ready to play Saturday. "I'm not thinking twice about it," he said.
- Defensive end Nick Perry practiced and Carroll said he'll play on Saturday.
- Linebacker Malcolm Smith has bounced back from his ankle injury and is "full-speed," Carroll said.
- To prepare the offense for a loud environment on game day, artificial crowd noise blared from field-side speakers, which were draped with plastic to protect them from the rain.
- In attendance at the practice were USC alum Jason Seahorn, now a reporter for CBS' College Sports division, and Mike Erre, pastor at Costa Mesa-based Rock Harbor Church, one of the largest churches in southern California.
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