Thoughts from Wednesday's practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...
- On the day he was named the starter for the Washington State game on Saturday, Matt Barkley took essentially all the first-unit snaps and guided a turnover-free performance for the offense on Turnover Wednesday, giving the O the overall practice victory.
- Safety Taylor Mays participated in a healthy chunk of practice for the first time since spraining his right knee against Ohio State, and Coach Carroll said it was becoming more likely that the senior All-American could return to game action this weekend. "It looks like Taylor had a really good day today," Carroll said. "We'll see how he responds tomorrow."
- During 11-on-11 special teams work, Mitch Mustain took one rep at punter and showed off his touch. With the snap coming from near the 50-yard line, Mustain's punt landed inside the 10 and was downed at the 1. Following practice, Carroll said the coaching staff would wait until after Thursday's workout to determine who among Billy O'Malley, Jake Harfman and Mustain will have the duties in the game on Saturday.
- Though the defense didn't come up with a turnover all day, a pressure-filled rush from the line propelled the unit to a 13-11 victory in the final team period.
- During 9-on-7 period, the offense dominated to produce what coaches called "a massacre," as the slew of running backs manufactured an onslaught of big-time rushes both up the middle and around the outside. Tailback Allen Bradford had the most notable run of the day when he lowered his shoulder and leveled a defensive back in the open field.
University Southern California Trojans
Tuesday, June 23
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
