Thoughts from Wednesday's practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...
- Though the offense won the day's emphasis by not allowing a turnover, the defense downright dominated otherwise, soaring to a 13-7 victory in the 20-play final team period to go along with a 10-8 win in 7-on-7 drills. The final period was closer than the score indicated, too, as the defense opened with eight straight wins and held a 13-3 lead before the offense won the last four plays. "The defense was kicking butt," Coach Carroll said in the post-practice team huddle. "They made every play out here."
- Wideout Damian Williams (ankle) continued to make great strides as he looks to come back and be available on Saturday, developments that Carroll called "thrilling." "He's not 100 percent yet but he's going to play in the game," Carroll said.
- The hits were flying during the rushing-focused 9-on-7 period. On the two closing plays of the segment, linebacker Uona Kaveinga and tailback Curtis McNeal smacked for a booming collision at the line before linebacker Marquis Simmons and tailback Allen Bradford crashed into each other to incite a riot among the offensive and defensive players. "That's how you get ready!" defensive end Everson Griffen repeatedly exclaimed after the play.
-Williams and fullback Stanley Havili each had bobbling circus catches during 7-on-7 period.
- Joe McKnight is slated to return punts for the second straight game, Carroll said.
University Southern California Trojans
Saturday, August 15
Saturday, August 15
Friday, August 14
Friday, August 14
