- Head coach Steve Sarkisian called a timeout during practice to surprise the guys with a dance-off. We will publish all the photos in another post, but freshman OL Roy Hemsley (pictured) was declared the winner. Besides a little team bonding, the head coach wanted to test the Trojans ability to have fun and celebrate one minute and then refocus the next.
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While practice was a little less physical, the activity level was still high. Wide receivers Steven Mitchell and Ajene Harris made eye-popping big plays. Mitchell showed off his moves in the open field by taking a bubble screen the distance and then Harris got behind the defense to make a fingertip catch on a bomb from Max Browne. - "Steven has had a really nice spring. I think, quite honestly, he has been motivating Ajene. Ajene had a great practice today as well. But Steven has been explosive with the ball in his hands, and that's what that position in our offense needs to be," Sarkisian said about the sophomore receivers.
- "It has been up-and-down just due to my hamstring," Harris described his spring, which has been nagged by a lingering muscle injury. "I'm just coming out here competing, trying to find my role in the team. Everybody is coming out here and making plays."
- The wide receivers are benefiting from accurate balls thrown their way by Cody Kessler and Max Browne. In the best shape of his career, Kessler is delivering passes on time and on target all over the field. He is focused on developing chemistry with the revamped receiving corps. "The best part for me is seeing other guys improving and seeing guys like Isaac [Whitney] have a standout day today and even Steven Mitchell," the quarterback said. "That's the best part about playing quarterback here. You have guys like that. I can throw a one-yard route to Steven and let him go 40 or 50 [yards]."
- Sarkisian paid Browne the highest compliment a backup can receive, saying, "Max Browne is playing lights out right now for us. I would have not a problem if Cody went down and Max had to step in the game. I think Max would do great."
- Defensively, Su'a Cravens was terrorizing the backfield. If he was allowed to tackle the quarterback, he would have accounted for at least three sacks. "Su'a had a heckuva practice today," said Sarkisian. "He was really electric coming off the edge."
- Sarkisian was asked about Pat Haden's stance for gay rights today, and he explained that the coaching staff uses social issues as teachable moments for the team. "I support Pat every step of the way," said Sarkisian. "I met with the team on it today. I think it was a good statement for us to learn about. We've had issues this spring nationally that have allowed us as a team to grow."
- Here is an extended press conference with Sarkisian at the Coliseum today:
