- Along with the usual assortment of injuries (19 total), WR George Farmer (pictured) was carted off the practice field after an apparent leg injury suffered on a non-contact drill. No update was provided as of yet.
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S Demetrius Wright also left practice early with injury. - Practice culminated with a feisty goal line drill that left defensive line coach Ed Orgeron and DL George Uko among the bloodied. Coach O was caught accidentally on the nose, while Uko had a bloody nose of his own while addressing the media after practice.
- "I'm really excited about the goal line mentality that the defense had," said Lane Kiffin. "They really changed the line of scrimmage by how they got after the offense."
- Despite a few heated exchanges, all the players were friends at the end, but they have gotten after it this spring. "We're into going extremely hard and physical, creating that, and then when the time comes back them off," said Kiffin about creating the balance between physicality and discipline.
- RB Tre Madden is one player that stayed out of the fray. He is still not cleared for contact as he continues to recover from the knee injury that he suffered last spring. "I wish I was doing more," said Madden about his spring. "I'm progressing. I feel pretty confident. We're just being smart about it."
- The Trojans could have used him last year when the running back depth was sparse. Now, he is in the mix with a strong and diverse group of backs. "We've got a lot of playmakers. My role is whatever the team needs me to be."
- The running backs are led by a new voice, Tommie Robinson. "He's tough on us," said Madden. "He wants us to be perfect."
- Kiffin actually spoke on the phone with new men's basketball head coach Andy Enfield on Sunday. They spoke about working at USC, Pat Haden, Max Nikias, and Kiffin answered some logistical questions. "It's a great hire," Kiffin came away impressed. "It brings excitement to the basketball program. He's done a great job of creating a style of play down there."
- Here is Kiffin on a variety of Tuesday topics...
