Thoughts from Wednesday's practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...
- Think the Trojans aren't enthused to be playing football right now? Think again. With plenty of hits before the whistle and even more extracurricular activity after, the players muscled through a chippy full-pads practice under the lights, with the offense cruising to a 12-8 victory in the final team period on the first day back from a two-day break. "We had a really sharp day today," Coach Carroll said. "That's a good indication that we're on track to have a very good week."
- En route to the offense's dominating 12-8 win in the final team period, tailback Allen Bradford rumbled for a long run up the middle behind big-time blocks from tight end Rhett Ellison and wideout Brandon Carswell before Matt Barkley threw a picture-perfect touchdown-scoring strike to receiver Damian Williams. "Oh my goodness gracious!" tight ends coach Brennan Carroll exclaimed during the onslaught of offensive wins. "That's a decisive victory for the offense on Competition Tuesday!" Carroll proclaimed in the post-practice team huddle.
- In one of the most entertaining 7-on-7 periods in recent history, safety Drew McAllister snagged an interception off a pass that deflected off two players on the last snap of the drill, breaking the tie and giving the defense the period victory. The play was preceded by superfluous amounts of lighthearted trash talk and pushing and shoving.
- Carroll said cornerback Shareece Wright did "very well" in his fall semester classes and will be "definitely available" for the Dec. 26 Emerald Bowl.
- Safety Will Harris, who sat out last weekend's workouts with complications from an abscessed tooth, returned to practice. "He was kind of crabby today," Carroll joked. "He was like a bear with a sore tooth, but he's out here battling."
- Cornerback Josh Pinkard tore his ACL in the Arizona game, Carroll said, and he's expected to get surgery as soon as possible. The sixth-year senior is aiming to return to football and play in the NFL next fall.
University Southern California Trojans
Wednesday, July 08
Wednesday, July 08
Wednesday, July 08
Monday, July 06
