- As part of Pac-12 Student Awareness Week, head coach Steve Sarkisian pointed out the great work done by S Leon McQuay III and WR Robby Kolanz away from the field. McQuay III is a music industry major and talented producer, while Kolanz is a budding broadcast journalist just like his grandfather Stan Chambers, a legend in the business.
- On the field, CB Kevon Seymour is on the mend, participating in a portion of practice. LB Lamar Dawson was back to work today as well.
- Stanford's offense was in full focus today, and while the Cardinal struggled in its season opening loss, David Shaw's team is not without threats. Sophomore tailback Christian McCaffrey is chief among them, leading the team in rushing, receiving and return yards. "I think a lot of what they do revolves around McCaffrey. He's a really versatile back," said Sarkisian. "We need to know where number five is every snap.
- On the outside, Michael Rector has elite speed, while Devon Cajuste is 6-foot-4. "Rector and Cajuste are both back, so I've been studying film on those two guys," said CB Adoree' Jackson, who battled the same duo in his first big moments as a Trojan last year. "They're always going to give you 100 percent. They're always going to give us their all."
- Redshirt senior QB Kevin Hogan runs the show, and the Trojans have seen plenty of him over the years. "Kevin, when he gets hot, is very very scary," said Sarkisian. "When he can get going, he just starts to find his rhythm. It's going to be big for us to not allow him to get into that rhythm, to keep him as uncomfortable as we can."
- While Seymour's status is in question for Saturday, Jonathan Lockett had taken his starting spot last week anyway, a reflection of how well the sophomore corner has played in practice. "He was competitive in camp and did some really good things in camp. I'm still trying to push him," said defensive backs coach Keith Heyward about Lockett. "Our depth chart is fluid. I don't know who is going to start on Saturday. We've still got two practices before then. But Lockett is competitive, he's a scrappy type of player and he always works hard. That's why he got it last week."
- While the media asks USC about preparing for Stanford, the Trojans are more concerned about dictating how the Cardinal reacts to them. "The first two games, we were trying to define us and who we are," said Jackson. "Those guys (Stanford) are going to watch the film from the first two games and see who we really are. Those first two games were games we really needed, now we're ready to go out there and compete."
- One thing about Jackson, he thrives when the competition heats up. "I'm happy and I'm out there having fun. Those two things go together. When you're willing to learn and you're having fun, everything becomes more comfortable," said the all-purpose sophomore.
- Here is Sarkisian after practice this morning...
