Saturday was a special practice for the USC Trojans with 29 legendary alumni in attendance (pictured below) followed by a big Trojan Family barbecue for both current and former players.
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The former players that returned to Howard Jones on Saturday were Marcus Allen, Sam Cunningham, Willie McGinest, Anthony Davis, Keith Rivers, Mike Williams, John Jackson, Matt Leinart, Matt Barkley, Paul McDonald, Michael McDonald, John David Booty, Teddy Baker, Sam Baker, Lawrence Jackson, Chris Barrett, Shaun Cody, J.K. McKay, Brandon Hance, Alex Holmes, Kyle Moore, Terrell Thomas, J.R. Tavai, Kyle Moore, Al Cowlings, Chris Hale, Marvin Pollard, Elic Mahone and Will Poole.
- Head coach Clay Helton invited all the players to come on Saturday and any future practices to continue to establish a relationship between former and current players. "It really showed our players what a tradition of excellence that we stand for and where the bar is set," said Helton. "There's so much knowledge that can be given from a big brother and they're our big brothers."
- Clancy Pendergast's defense continues to impress, winning yet another finish challenge at the end of practice with a goal-line stand. "The kids are having fun just playing ball and competing against one another, bouncing around, dancing," said Helton. "They're understanding to the winner goes the spoils, to the loser we're running. A loss should hurt."
- Earlier in the scrimmage period, DB Isaiah Langley came up with a huge interception from Sam Darnold that he ran back for a touchdown.
- In the best of five play finish challenge, the offense did manage to score on a Ronald Jones II run. Helton mentioned an emphasis this spring on developing Jones into a more physical runner rather than just relying on his speed. "He's really becoming a more powerful runner in between the tackles," he said.
- Here is the head coach after Saturday's rainy practice...
