Thoughts from Saturday's scrimmage, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...
- The defense had its way in USC's final workout of Fall Camp 2009, scoring the intra-squad scrimmage's only points on a safety in front of 1,000 fans jammed around a festive Howard Jones Field. On a toasty afternoon, the defense heated up with the weather and shut down the Trojan offense in all phases, allowing just 180 yards in 61 snaps. In 12 drives, the deepest the offense got into the defense's territory was the 36-yard line. "It was a really good job of guys just battling," Coach Carroll said in the post-practice team huddle. "The defense obviously had a strong day. The offense didn't do poorly at all; they just went up against a really good defense."
- Linebacker Shane Horton's overpowering tackle on tailback Curtis McNeal in the end zone scored a safety and marked the 69-play scrimmage's only score.
- Safety Josh Pinkard recorded the day's single turnover, a beautiful leaping interception in the end zone on a deep Matt Barkley pass.
- Facing a stringent defense, the quarterbacks each managed to produce effective performances. Working with the first-unit, Matt Barkley went 7-for-13 for 56 yards and an interception; Mitch Mustain went 6-for-12 for 57 yards with the second-unit; and third-team quarterback Garrett Green went 3-for-6 for 12 yards.
- In his five series, all with and against the first-teamers, Barkley led three strong drives -- one going 39 yards in 11 plays before a punt; the second going 36 yards in six plays, ending in a punt; and the last traveling 38 yards in 6 plays before the Josh Pinkard interception.
- The flashiest play of the day came on the final snap, when Travon Patterson returned a punt 45 yards after a cutback-filled run across the field.
- The defense recorded 10 tackles-for-loss, including six sacks.
- Though the defense was downright dominant, the offense contributed to its scorelessness with seven dropped passes and three penalties.
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