Thoughts from Tuesday's practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...
- With blustery, cool weather sweeping in at Howard Jones Field, the defense stormed through the full-pads workout with a dominant performance, winning the three main periods to capture a long-awaited victory on Competition Tuesday. Down 6-4 in the final team period, the defense won the last four snaps to take an 8-6 victory, its first triumph on Competition Tuesday in seven weeks.
- Following a 16-6 loss in last Tuesday's 7-on-7 period, the defense rebounded with a 12-4 demolition this week. The defense also won the 9-on-7 rushing-focused period.
- Coach Carroll in the post-practice team huddle: "This is championship football time. We've got to bring it all week long -- not just Saturday, but every day this week."
- Wideout Damian Williams sat out with a bruised gluteus maximus but is expected to return to practice Wednesday, Carroll said.
- Tight end Anthony McCoy (ankle), fullback Stanley Havili (shoulder) and wideout Brice Butler (back) remained out of practice. "We've got guys ready to play," Carroll said. "As always, it's about the guys who will step up for us, not the guys who are out."
- The play of the day came during team period when Matt Barkley rifled a bullet into the chest of Ronald Johnson, who shed the near-perfect coverage, caught the pass in stride and darted up the middle of the field. "That a way to battle, Ronald!" offensive coordinator John Morton exclaimed.
University Southern California Trojans
Friday, August 28
Thursday, August 27
Thursday, August 27
Thursday, August 27
