The injury story is the same, but those who played enjoyed a lively, spirited practice.
- QB Jesse Scroggins does not know a whole lot more about his surgically repaired right thumb ligaments. He is not certain about the rehab time frame nor how the injury occurred. He is embracing the obstacle and doing his best to work past it. "At some point in your college career you are going to go through adversity," Scroggins said Lane Kiffin advised him. "I guess I just went through mine early."
A few more freshmen were added to the injury report. WR George Farmer (back - photo by John McGillen), RB Amir Carlisle (quad), DT Christian Heyward and DE Greg Townsend (ribs) all missed a portion of practice. Veteran DB Drew McAllister came out with a hamstring issue.- T.J. McDonald expects to be back tomorrow, but Kiffin is not certain who will be available for preseason game #2 on Sunday.
- As of today, Curtis McNeal is the best all-around running back, according to the head coach. "Curtis has come further than anyone in our program since the day we got here," Kiffin said. "There were a lot of questions if Curtis would ever make it in our program. To see his turnaround and how far he's come, it's why we do it."
- Dillon Baxter is not far behind in the running back race. The sophomore shaved his 40 time from 4.8 to 4.6 in the offseason despite adding weight. He still has tremendous vision and innate ability to make defenders miss, which he showed off several times today.
- The wide receivers were working on routes with double moves in them, which allowed Brice Butler to exhibit his superior technical skills. He drew compliments from Kiffin who oversaw the receiver session.
- CB Isiah Wiley had an interception today. While Tony Burnett came into camp as the starting cornerback opposite Nickell Robey, Kiffin implied the competition was open and that no one had really impressed him. Wiley has more than enough athletic ability if he can catch onto the system.
- Maybe under the radar, but TE/FB Rhett Ellison is having a great camp.
- Play of the day: DE Wes Horton batted a pass into the air that was intercepted by DT DaJohn Harris. The 6'4", 310 pounder tried to rumble 70 yards for a TD, but 5'7", 180 pound, Curtis McNeal chased him down from behind and tried to tackle him. "Juicy" gave McNeal his best stiff arm, but eventually ran out of gas at the five. The defense mobbed Harris after the play.
- Physically, freshman OG Aundrey Walker is ready to play at this level, but he is starting over mentally after the switch from right tackle, so veteran Khaled Holmes is tutoring him on the fly. "That's anyone's responsibility who can contribute in that regard," Holmes said about helping Walker. "He's come out and showed that he's athletic and he's got the feet and he can play."
- Holmes has learned "as much as I can in 10 days" about the center position. "It's been all ball as it should be during camp, but I'm pretty happy with the progress."
- While left guard is a revolving door, the offensive line is starting to look like the bullies on the block. Matt Kalil, Walker, Kevin Graf and Holmes form a massive front line. "I'm tiny man. I feel like a little guy in there," said the 6'4", 310 pound Holmes.
- Practice is at 3 p.m. Saturday. Here's Lane Kiffin...
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