With men down, the focus switches to the next men up.
- Injury report: S Jawanza Starling (did not practice), LB Dion Bailey (very limited), RB George Farmer (did not practice), TE Rhett Ellison (limited) and RB Marc Tyler (did not practice).
- The Trojans practiced in jerseys and shorts today without any pads, which is typical for Thursday of a normal week.
- While several players are questionable to play Friday, Drew McAllister knows he is the man for the first half in place of the suspended T.J. McDonald. "This is an opportunity for me to go out there and show what I can do," said the redshirt junior. "T.J. has been great since he's been out there and it's going to be some hard shoes to fill."
- McAllister is a different type of safety than McDonald. He's more of a ball hawk, who will read the quarterback looking for interceptions. "We've been getting turnovers...and hopefully that's something that I can bring to the table," he said.
- McAllister is excited about his opportunity, but he feels for McDonald. "T.J. was playing full-speed and made a full-speed decision," McAllister said. "There's really nothing else you can do in that situation."
- If Starling misses the game, Marshall Jones would start alongside McAllister. Kiffin listed the potential new defensive starters, which could also include LB Tre Madden, as his biggest concern heading into the game.
- Bailey got his bell rung in the second quarter and then a hit in the second overtime "knocked me out," he said. "Concussions are a part of football," the redshirt freshman has no plans to slow down.
Robert Woods is tied for second in the nation in receptions with 81 catches, but he has never been fully healthy this season. "That ankle just won't get right," said Lane Kiffin.- Kyle Prater made the first catch of his career last week (photo by Jon SooHoo), so he's hoping the dam will now break open. "When your name is called on, you have to step up and make the play," he said. "Hopefully, there's more to come."
- RB D.J. Morgan is another potential weapon that has been kept in the holster for weeks now. Without a knee brace, the redshirt freshman has been flying around the practice field lately. "I feel faster," Morgan said, but he also said it feels stiff at times.
- After fumbling issues cost him his starting spot, Morgan was sent to the back of the line, but the seas are starting to part and he could get back in the rotation this week. "The fumbles in the beginning of the season taught me a lesson," Morgan reflected. "I just used it as fuel to push me and go harder and hold onto the ball."
- Morgan is part of the two Lane Kiffin recruiting classes, which have paid immediate dividends for a team lacking depth. "The young guys are stepping up and making plays and being accountable," said Morgan, who sees his fellow classmates progressing. "There comes a point when we're all not going to be young and that's where we're headed right now."
- Here is Kiffin on the subject's above plus Jesse Scroggins, Matt Kalil and more...
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