Half scrimmage, half no-contact practice, the Trojans survived without any injuries to the two-deep. Stats posted later...
- The offense emphasized the power running game, particularly the first team. Allen Bradford was far more effective than the first scrimmage. Think of Bradford as a train. He needs to stay on track towards the end zone. If his shoulders angle towards the sideline, he's derailed and ineffective.
- To that point, "It's just me being patient, trying to stay on track, not cutting back too much and not trying to look for the big play," Bradford said after practice.
- He is clearly the lead back. By my recollection, he was the only runner that worked exclusively with the first team. He's excited about getting heavy touches this season and working up a lather within a game. "This is going to be my first year getting that many carries, getting the ball that many times, and you know I'm ready to roll," Bradford declared.
- Mitch Mustain was outstanding again. Kiffin continues to praise his back-up quarterback and considers his progress one of the greatest accomplishments of this staff since they arrived last spring.
- Matt Barkley did not do a whole lot during the live portion, but he was not asked to stretch the field. He heated up later in the practice. Lane Kiffin graded him a "B" for both scrimmages.
- While all the running backs were successful, Kiffin tempered the excitement by acknowledging that most of that work came with Jurrell Casey and Armond Armstead resting on the sidelines. Armstead had a sack on the first series.
- Markeith Ambles was the most impressive of the freshmen receivers. He made a great adjustment on the first touchdown catch. Kiffin compared him to a shorter Dwayne Jarrett based on his balletic body control.
- While I've joked that Kiffin enjoys playing the comparison game, which writers and fans love, he takes it seriously. He wants to create a number tradition at USC, which is why he stripped the #1 from two players earlier this year. He announced that Robert Woods will switch to #2 after C.J. Gable leaves and that it's fitting Ambles wears Jarrett's #8.
- David Ausberry is being used mostly as a TD specialist. He's getting the majority of red zone fade opportunities. While Kyle Prater will likely own that job in the future, he used his size mostly to post up at the first down markers and move the chains.
- As for Woods, he was at his most electrifying in the return game. He buried a helpless kicker who tried to tackle him on kickoff return.
- The first team defense seems ready for Hawaii. If the coaches could, they'd put that unit in a bubble because they will be dominant if they can stay healthy. Unfortunately, there is very little in reserve.
- While the linebackers have stayed healthy, the safeties are a real issue. Kiffin basically said he has two guys, T.J. McDonald and Jawanza Starling. Right now, Drew McAllister and Marshall Jones are sidelined with injuries, which leaves true freshmen Demetrius Wright and Dion Bailey having to learn on the job.
- Christian Thomas moved from tight end to defensive end this week and he just might stick. He had a sack in the scrimmage.
- I'll post the stats later, but put them in the "for what it's worth" column. The majority of the scrimmage was two-hand touch.
- Lastly, I'd like to break out the first mailbag this week, so if you have any specific questions, use the "email Jordan Moore" button on the right side of the page and I'll include the good ones.
- Here is Coach Kiffin's post-game media session:
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