- Marqise Lee is listed as day-to-day, and expected back soon, after suffering a bone bruise in his right shoulder area on Friday, according to Lane Kiffin.
- Kiffin compared Lee's injury scare to losing your wallet and then finding it. In the end, you just broke even, but you are thrilled nonetheless.
- The head coach refuted suggestions that Lee's practice time should be scaled back to protect him. "Marqise's game is a little bit off right now," said Kiffin. "He's still got to get a lot of work. We've got to make sure that we're not relying on his athletic ability to take over, and that we are still putting him in a lot of situations so that he can continue to improve as a receiver as he goes into his third year here."
- On the field tonight, RB Buck Allen and TE Xavier Grimble were the offensive stars accounting for two touchdowns apiece. Kiffin on Allen: "Buck is probably one of our most improved players throughout spring and early fall here. Right now, we would feel very comfortable putting him in."
- Grimble appears ready to take the leap to being an elite tight end this season. "I am always hard on myself. I feel like I haven't real done a whole lot yet," said Grimble about fulfilling his potential. "I think you guys are going to see a lot more from me."
- The tight end trio has a new position coach this year as special teams coach John Baxter has added the unit to his responsibilities. "[Baxter] is a very, very sound coach," said Grimble. "I knew that he was going to be a super detail guy. I love his coaching style."
- While Grimble and Randall Telfer are known entities to Trojan fans, Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick will have a much bigger role in his second season. "He's coming along," said Grimble about his young teammate. "I'm very excited to see him play this year. He's grown so much. He's going to be a great player."
- LT Aundrey Walker returned to practice.Â
- Here is Kiffin who had some fun with the media tonight:
