Dispatch from Howard Jones

By Jordan Moore on November 11, 2009 7:16 PM | No Comments

Thoughts from Wednesday's practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt...

- In an electric, action-packed final team period, the offense came out flying to a 6-0 lead before the defense won seven of the next eight snaps to tie it up going into the final play. With defensive players and coaches shouting and chanting directly behind him, Matt Barkley calmly completed a 10-yard pass to wideout Travon Patterson to give the offense the 8-7 overall practice victory. The win was sweetened by perfect ball protection all day by the offense, which officially labeled the practice "No Turnover Wednesday" for the second straight week.

- The final team period was chock full of highlight-worthy plays. The first snap of the segment set the tone, as wideout Brice Butler hauled in a 40-yard bomb from Matt Barkley before tailback Joe McKnight athletically posted a one-handed catch on a screen play. Later, Barkley threw on the run and off his back foot to receiver Ronald Johnson, who dragged his toes inbounds along the right sideline just past the first-down sticks.

- Sense a theme here? The offense turned 7-on-7 drills into an utter massacre. Matt Barkley completed his first eight passes and 9-of-10 in the period to deliver a blowout win for the offense. Barkley tossed touchdowns to wideouts Brice Butler, Jordan Cameron and Travon Patterson in the period.

- Just when it seemed like the injury front was worsening day by day, the Trojans received a lot of positive news Wednesday as several players returned to practice. Tight end Anthony McCoy, linebacker Michael Morgan (wrist), defensive end Everson Griffen (toe), linebacker Malcolm Smith (shoulder) and wideout Brandon Carswell (toe) all participated in all or part of the workout and are on track to play this weekend, providing optimistic signs for Coach Carroll and the Trojans as Saturday's game against Stanford approaches. "Somehow guys are healing up," Carroll said. "We're fortunate to be getting guys back."

- Devon Kennard has spent his entire three-month Trojan career as a defensive end, but now he's making a move. To help with an injury-depleted linebacking corps, Kennard has been practicing at the strong-side position this week -- and he's producing some very impressive results. Carroll said he would start if Michael Morgan isn't healed, but either way, Kennard is expected to play extensively. "He's had a great week," Carroll said. "He really picked things up very well. He's very well equipped at that spot."

- Wideout Damian Williams (ankle) sat out for the third straight day and his status for Saturday will be determined at the end of the week, Carroll said.

- During 11-on-11 drills, tight end Blake Ayles got rolled up on as he blocked downfield. He limped off, but Carroll said he felt OK and didn't suffer a significant injury.

University Southern California Trojans

Dispatch from Howard Jones

Dispatch from Howard Jones

Trojans footer