Thoughts from Wednesday's practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...
- In the first workout after the Aaron Corp injury announcement, Matt Barkley displayed poise in leading the first-unit offense, recording a few of his trademark big plays while remaining turnover-free. During 7-on-7 period, Barkley led two scoring drives from midfield, completing a 51-yard touchdown to tight end Anthony McCoy and a 47-yard completion to tailback Joe McKnight. He ended up going 3-for-3 for 102 yards and two touchdowns in the period. "He's out here playing football with these guys like he's been here a long time," Coach Carroll said of Barkley.
- Other than Barkley, Wednesday was a day for the defense, which put on an overall dominating show in USC's first full-pads practice of the fall. A hard-hitting and shutdown performance stymied the offense for much of the workout. During a scrimmage-like 11-on-11 period, the defense held the offense to no gain or a loss on seven consecutive plays, adding to a sack-happy performance throughout the day and a bruising effort in the team run period, which saw the linebackers and lineman deliver pounding hits left and right.
- On one play in team period, cornerback Kevin Thomas served up the hit of the day when he flattened tight end Blake Ayles, who caught a short pass and was battered immediately when he turned upfield.
- Ayles later dove to catch a 36-yard pass from Matt Barkley during the scrimmage-like session at the end of practice.
- During team period, safety Josh Pinkard made a beautiful full-extension diving pass deflection on a deep ball down the right sideline.
- During 7-on-7 drills, quarterback Mitch Mustain, who took all the second-team reps, completed several nice balls, one to receiver Brice Butler deep over the middle and another to wideout Jordan Cameron in the front corner of the end zone.
- Safety Ryan McMahon recovered a fumble in the practice-ending scrimmage-like session, the only turnover of the day.
- New men's basketball coach Kevin O'Neill has become quite the Trojan fan, as he watched Wednesday's practice from the sidelines. He also attended the team meeting on Saturday.
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