Thoughts from Saturday's practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...
- In their first on-field football activity since last Saturday's loss, the Trojans opened Emerald Bowl preparation with a high-energy practice during an off-and-on rainstorm on Cromwell Field. "I like the way we started it off with a bang and with an attitude," Coach Carroll said in the post-practice team huddle. "And we're going to carry that attitude all the way through."
- In the premiere of the Trojan Drill, the offense powered its way to a 3-2 win over the defense, reaching the 10-yard goal point once more than the defense stopped it.
- During team drills, safety T.J. McDonald, cornerback Byron Moore and defensive end Malik Jackson each had an interception.
- On one play during team period, tailback Joe McKnight was stuffed on a run off tackle, and defensive lineman Derek Simmons and cornerback Torin Harris went the extra mile to drive home the triumph. Simmons and Harris joined together to pick up McKnight a foot off the ground and carry the tailback, whose legs were flailing, backward five yards or so.
- Cornerback Shareece Wright, who has been academically ineligible but was still practicing with the team all season, is now practicing with hopes of returning to the playing field for the Emerald Bowl on Dec. 26. Fall semester grades will be posted Dec. 23, and if he earns high enough marks to regain his eligibility, he will be capable of seeing action in the game against Boston College. "He's prepared to play if he can," Carroll said.
- Saturday's wet weather, which included an all-out downpour for about 10 minutes of the practice, wreaked havoc on the passing and kicking game, though the clouds began to part near the end of the workout to create more comfortable conditions.
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