Thoughts from Wednesday's practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...
- Important lessons were learned during Wednesday's half-pads workout, as the offense discovered the power of grit and a never-say-die attitude. Down 8-2 and 14-6 in the final 31-play team period, the offense came roaring back with wins on eight of nine late-practice snaps to pull within one at 15-14. Though the defense ended up securing a 17-14 overall practice victory, the offense -- and defense -- learned that nothing's finished until it's officially finished. "As long as you keep executing and keep competing, it ain't ever over," Coach Carroll said in the post-practice huddle.
- On the final snap of regulation in the turnover-themed practice, the defense finally got what they were looking for. Safety Ryan McMahon and tight end Bryson Lloyd experienced a brutal collision in the open field that knocked the ball loose and sent the defensive players into a celebratory riot. It was recovered by the defense for its only takeaway of the day, but it was more than enough to officially label it "Turnover Wednesday."
- Typical for a late-camp practice, players got extra chippy on Wednesday, and it was summed up on one play in particular. On a short completion to wideout Ronald Johnson, tight end Anthony McCoy laid a blindsided crack block that flattened linebacker Jarvis Jones and sent the offensive players into wild merriment. As the teams lined up for the next play, the entire offense and entire defense huddled up separately and started chanting "We ready!" in each others' directions, leading to a lighthearted brawl before the offense continued its winning streak on the next three plays.
- Wearing his helmet for the first time in nine days, Aaron Corp participated in more live throwing drills Wednesday, the second day in a row he has taken part in a non-contact portion of practice.
- In a simulated overtime session at the end of practice, kicker Joe Houston sank a 36-yard field goal for the second-team offense before Matt Barkley threw short to wideout Ronald Johnson, who sliced his way to a 25-yard touchdown on the opening play for the first-unit offense.
- Matt Barkley had an especially impressive 15-play streak during a pass-oriented red-zone team period, leading the offense to an 8-7 victory behind three perfect touchdown strikes.
- With his teammates forming a horseshoe and yelling around him, kicker Jordan Congdon coolly drilled a 37-yard field goal near the end of practice.
- Freshman James Boyd has switched from defensive end to tight end.
University Southern California Trojans
Monday, September 28
Monday, September 28
Saturday, September 26
Saturday, September 26
