- "New" and "different" have been terms thrown around Heritage Hall on a more than usual basis lately, today being no exception. This morning began with a new feature on RipsIt -- a live chat bringing fans the sights and sounds of today's practice, including the full scrimmage. Though an experiment, it has already seen early success and may become a new permanent addition to the world of Trojan Football.
- Both Matt Barkley and Mitch Mustain excelled with their respective offensive squads. Barkley threw for three touchdowns and Mustain for one while neither signalcaller threw an interception. The quarterbacks completed a variety of passes, spreading the ball all over Howard Jones Field and hardly shying away from tossing it up to downfield receivers. Barkley finished 9 of 17 for 173 yards to go with his three scores while Mustain completed 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.
- Dillon Baxter's early enrollment at USC appears to be paying its dividends. Although the practice wasn't broadcast, Baxter still put together several highlight reel-type plays. The tailback swerved between defenders on a 50-yard touchdown scamper that even seemed to entertain members of USC's defensive players on the sideline. Afterwards, head coach Lane Kiffin likened it to Reggie Bush's famous run against Fresno State. On only nine carries, Baxter amassed 94 yards for a 10.4 yards per carry average.
- The two offensive units combined for 468 yards in 18 total possessions (9 per squad).
- Ronald Johnson exhibited his versatility and chemistry with Barkley and Mustain by hauling in several passes from both quarterbacks from several spots on the field. Johnson corralled four passes for 167 yards and two scores, with 70 of those yards coming on a spectacular deep pass from Barkley in the first half.
- Kyle Prater caught five passes for 41 yards, including a nice touchdown grab on a red zone fade route. Like Baxter, Prater is looking to become an early contributor to the Trojans' offensive arsenal in his first year with the team. Remember, both Baxter and Prater should still be seniors in high school!
- The outstanding second-half effort by the defense rendered both offensive squads scoreless for the period thanks to pressure from the line and tightened coverage by the secondary. Leading the way with 5 tackles each were Jordan Cambell and DaJohn Harris (three of his resulted in a loss). Harris' highlight of the day was a 52-yard fumble return that resulted in a short score for Barkley's squad. On the play, Harris came from the blind side and stole the ball out of Mustain's hand and then rumbled toward the goal line, coming up 6 yards short. Shareece Wright, walk-on Taylor Ashton and Shane Horton tallied 4 tackles each, further contributing to the second half shutout.
- One of the special visitors today was cancer survivor and football fan Jake Olson. Olson and his family are on campus today to participate in Relay for Life on Cromwell Field as a part of the Ryan Davidson team. Davidson, like Olson, had a close relationship with the USC football program, but unfortunately lost his nine-and-a-half year battle to cancer in Feburary 2009 at the age of 16. Ricky Rosas, also a cancer survivor and important member of the Trojan football family, is participating in Relay for Life as well.
-Other Trojan football alumni vistors included: Recently graduated OG-C Jeff Byers, WR Damiam Williams, New York Giants' CB Terrell Thomas and WR Steve Smith, who watched his younger brother and current Trojan linebacker, Malcolm.
Special thanks to Stephanie Graves for her contributions to today's live blog and practice wrap-ups.
- Both Matt Barkley and Mitch Mustain excelled with their respective offensive squads. Barkley threw for three touchdowns and Mustain for one while neither signalcaller threw an interception. The quarterbacks completed a variety of passes, spreading the ball all over Howard Jones Field and hardly shying away from tossing it up to downfield receivers. Barkley finished 9 of 17 for 173 yards to go with his three scores while Mustain completed 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.
- Dillon Baxter's early enrollment at USC appears to be paying its dividends. Although the practice wasn't broadcast, Baxter still put together several highlight reel-type plays. The tailback swerved between defenders on a 50-yard touchdown scamper that even seemed to entertain members of USC's defensive players on the sideline. Afterwards, head coach Lane Kiffin likened it to Reggie Bush's famous run against Fresno State. On only nine carries, Baxter amassed 94 yards for a 10.4 yards per carry average.
- The two offensive units combined for 468 yards in 18 total possessions (9 per squad).
- Ronald Johnson exhibited his versatility and chemistry with Barkley and Mustain by hauling in several passes from both quarterbacks from several spots on the field. Johnson corralled four passes for 167 yards and two scores, with 70 of those yards coming on a spectacular deep pass from Barkley in the first half.
- Kyle Prater caught five passes for 41 yards, including a nice touchdown grab on a red zone fade route. Like Baxter, Prater is looking to become an early contributor to the Trojans' offensive arsenal in his first year with the team. Remember, both Baxter and Prater should still be seniors in high school!
- The outstanding second-half effort by the defense rendered both offensive squads scoreless for the period thanks to pressure from the line and tightened coverage by the secondary. Leading the way with 5 tackles each were Jordan Cambell and DaJohn Harris (three of his resulted in a loss). Harris' highlight of the day was a 52-yard fumble return that resulted in a short score for Barkley's squad. On the play, Harris came from the blind side and stole the ball out of Mustain's hand and then rumbled toward the goal line, coming up 6 yards short. Shareece Wright, walk-on Taylor Ashton and Shane Horton tallied 4 tackles each, further contributing to the second half shutout.
- One of the special visitors today was cancer survivor and football fan Jake Olson. Olson and his family are on campus today to participate in Relay for Life on Cromwell Field as a part of the Ryan Davidson team. Davidson, like Olson, had a close relationship with the USC football program, but unfortunately lost his nine-and-a-half year battle to cancer in Feburary 2009 at the age of 16. Ricky Rosas, also a cancer survivor and important member of the Trojan football family, is participating in Relay for Life as well.
-Other Trojan football alumni vistors included: Recently graduated OG-C Jeff Byers, WR Damiam Williams, New York Giants' CB Terrell Thomas and WR Steve Smith, who watched his younger brother and current Trojan linebacker, Malcolm.
Special thanks to Stephanie Graves for her contributions to today's live blog and practice wrap-ups.
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