The Trojans are starting to talk about the Gophers.
- Abe Markowitz is still out, so the left guard spot is still up in the air.
- RB Amir Carlisle came out during practice, but he is expected back tomorrow.
- LB Chris Galippo practiced fully and is expected to start the opener. "I'm still nervous about it," said Lane Kiffin about his middle linebacker. "This is a lot different than a real game. We'll throw him out there and hopefully, he'll do well."
- While USC has already lost some players for the season, the calculated risk of tackling during camp was deemed a success today by the head coach. "We're more physical because of it," he said.
Wide receiver turned QB Marqueis Gray (photo by AP) is the headline player for Minnesota. "We're going to have our hands full," Kiffin said about Gray, who is listed at 240 pounds. "They've done a great job with running quarterbacks. This is a very, very big challenge for our defense right off the bat."- Jerry Kill is the new coach at Minnesota after a three-year stint at Northern Illinois. "They've done the same thing for years," Kiffin said about watching film of Kill's old teams. "This is going to be a big match-up for us against a very physical defense and an offense that is extremely well coached."
- Several freshman are expected to contribute Saturday, but Kiffin is equally worried about the veterans who have never really played. "You are a true freshman until you play. There are going to be a lot of big eyes Saturday."
- T.J. McDonald will bring experience and leadership as a defensive captain. "I kind of saw it coming from the spring and the way the guys have accepted me in that captain role," said McDonald who joins his dad on the list of USC football captains. "I learned it by the way that I was brought up."
- The secondary is happy to put a rough 2010 campaign in the rear-view. "We want shutouts," said McDonald about the more confident defensive back group. "We don't want them catching the ball at all. We're fighting for every inch."
- McDonald will be paired with Jawanza Starling on the first team Saturday. "Jawanza and I are on the same level as far as communication," McDonald said. "He's improved a lot since last year."
- McDonald rocked Dillon Baxter during an early portion of practice, which got the defense all fired up. "I'm ready to hit somebody that's not wearing Cardinal and Gold!" he exclaimed.
- As for practice highlights, the passing game looked sharp during the team portion. Matt Barkley was in his typical rhythm with Robert Woods, but he also hit Brice Butler for a few big plays. Butler had his great start to camp stunted by minor injuries, but he looks healthy now.
- Play of the day: Freshman DT J.R. Tavai, who will almost definitely redshirt after missing most of camp, batted a pass up to himself for an interception.
- Here is Lane Kiffin...
I read an article about Matt Kalil in the OC Register in which he says he's liable to tackle someone, then punch him in the head. I certainly hope he doesn't do anything like that during a game, knowing how the Pac-10 (12) refs love penalizing USC.