Thoughts from Tuesday's practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...
- The offense turned the competition-themed workout into a landslide very quickly, running out to an 8-1 lead in the final team period en route to a 14-11 overall practice victory. And the score shouldn't have even been that close, but Coach Carroll's creative scorekeeping prevented a total blowout for the offense. "Is it no Competition Tuesday?" running backs coach Todd McNair yelled out jokingly with the offense holding a commanding lead. Even with the lopsided score, Carroll praised the whole team for its effort Tuesday. "The attitude and approach was exactly like we like it," he said in the post-practice huddle.
- Just four days from his first collegiate start, freshman Matt Barkley shined during the full-pads workout, completing all seven of his passes during 7-on-7 period and then leading the offense to the overall practice victory in the team period, including completions on eight of the first nine plays of the scrimmage-like session. "I thought Barkley looked really good today," Coach Carroll said. "He was really sharp."
- During 7-on-7 drills, safety Drew McAllister had a beautiful interception on a deep ball down the left sideline, swooping in and snagging the lofted pass from Aaron Corp.
- Tailback Stafon Johnson levied the hit of the day when he lowered his shoulder into defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, causing a loud bang as the 295-pound nose guard fell to the ground. "That's a physical mismatch!" running backs coach Todd McNair exclaimed as the offensive players ran to celebrate the hit.
- With fires still raging less than 20 miles from campus, a funky haze hovered over the field Tuesday, creating weird lighting and an eerie red sunset.
University Southern California Trojans
Tuesday, June 23
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