Still on Dedeaux Field...
- Reserve DE DeVante Wilson is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his knee. He missed last season rehabbing from surgery to the other knee, which he damaged the summer before arriving at Troy. He was injured during a non-live drill yesterday.
- As for today's practice, the Trojans have hit the dog days of camp, according to Lane Kiffin. The offense had the better of it again, but the defense was boosted by the return of LB Dion Bailey. Linebackers Hayes Pullard and Lamar Dawson are still out however.
Robert Woods provided the play of the day...maybe the play of camp to this point. He made a ridiculous one-handed catch between two defenders on a Max Wittek deep ball. John McGillen captured the moment.- Woods is looking more like himself these days. "He had a couple of those today. Marqise [Lee] and Robert had some...highlight reel catches, so it was good to have them out here on the same day," Kiffin said.
- Otherwise, Soma Vainuku continues to have a great fall camp. The fullback showed off breakaway speed during one long run.
- Freshman Max Tuerk is a real option to start the opener at left tackle. Kiffin praised his ability, especially "in the run game," and mentioned that the offense could protect him as he develops.
- To keep from getting overconfident with all the preseason hype, Kiffin has cited the examples of the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles and Oklahoma Sooners to the team. The Eagles "Dream Team" and Oklahoma's preseason No. 1 ranking were spoiled quickly.
- The head coach is still split on backup quarterbacks Max Wittek and Cody Kessler. He has done nothing but praise both of them.
- While Kessler is working on improving the physical side of his game, Wittek has been told to "get your swagger." "It just has to be in you," Wittek said about being a confident leader.
- Kessler has often been compared to Mark Sanchez. He wears his No. 6 and shares a common moxie and charisma. Wittek is more in the vein of Carson Palmer, a quarterback blessed with incredible arm talent, but a quiet public persona. "I have always watched [Palmer] and I feel like the comparisons between our body type are pretty accurate," Wittek said. "I've never met him to say that our personalities are similar, but I'd like to meet him."
- Wittek packs a serious fastball, but he feels his greatest progression has come on touch throws and accuracy.
- Here is Lane Kiffin on today's practice...
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