- On the health front, defensive linemen Antwaun Woods and Jacob Daniel were out sick, while RB Aca'Cedric Ware bruised his knee. OG Damien Mama is day-to-day with a sprained knee.
- The head coach is happy to test his team's stamina under the scalding morning sun. "I think the heat has been good for us. It's a positive for us. We didn't have a whole lot of heat during training camp," said Steve Sarkisian.
- The focus was on the defensive side of the ball today after a strong opening statement made by Justin Wilcox's group. The defensive coordinator was able to balance out snaps pretty evenly compared to last year when several players rarely left the field. "It's not about the opponent. It's about substitution and getting guys in the game, fresh bodies, and the guys that can help us win the game," said Wilcox. "It doesn't matter if we're in practice or whether we're playing the first game, second game, eighth game, we want to be able to do that whenever, so you'll see more of the same."
- Freshman LB Osa Masina was one of the bench players who made noise in his debut, including a scoop-and-score for his first USC touchdown. "He's a talented athlete, he's learning a lot," said Wilcox on Masina. "It's not like you're here for a month of practice and then all of a sudden you have it. He's eager, instinctive. Osa's done some good things but he's got a ways to go like a lot of the guys."
- On the negative side, both Sarkisian and Wilcox have stressed this week that the defense needs to do a better job setting the edge to contain mobile quarterbacks. "We were inconsistent," said Wilcox. "We had some chances to make some negative plays that we did not make. It goes to tackling, setting edges in the run defense whether at outside linebacker or defensive end. Those things need to improve."
- Sarkisian spent much of his time in the game and at practice today working with the defense. "I really am more involved in all three phases than I've ever been," said the head coach who relinquished offensive play-calling duties this season. "I'm enjoying it. It's fun to go back up and meet with the other phases of the team and when I spend more time with the defense, special teams and still with the offense, it gives me a better understanding on game day of what we're trying to accomplish.
- Here is Sarkisian after practice this morning, including some offensive line talk:
