The Trojans remained on Dedeaux Field as Howard Jones is getting completely resodded.
- Good news on the injury front: LT Aundrey Walker and LB Hayes Pullard returned to practice.
- The Trojans were not in pads today, so the practice resembled more of a high speed walk-thru, so the coaches could focus on situational plays.
Walker (pictured by John McGillen) slotted back in with the first team at left tackle, but given the
less than physical nature of the practice, Kiffin was unable to assess
his effectiveness. He is happy with his mental preparation.- Nickell Robey said that he will be handling punt returns this season, while Robert Woods and Marqise Lee will take kickoff return duties.
- After yesterday's display by Woods and Lee, Robey was asked who is the tougher cover. He called Lee more of an athletic challenge, while Woods is the greater "technician." Given Robey's smaller stature, he admitted Lee's leaping ability makes him tougher to handle.
- Robey saw that Lee did a front flip after making a catch on him yesterday, so he plans to retaliate with a back flip after his next interception. And we all know Robey can do a back flip...
- The secondary was a unit without a full-time coach last year, so the addition of Marvin Sanders is expected to pay dividends. "Coach Sanders is a great guy," Robey said. "He has a lot of swagger. He loves his corners to get up in the face of [receivers]. Ultimately, he will teach us the game and teach us to play smart."
- The corner spot opposite Robey has been a revolving door the last two seasons. Isiah Wiley appeared to lock it down the second half of last year, but he has not practiced this fall to handle academic issues.
- Lane Kiffin has faith in Torin Harris when healthy. "Torin arguably was playing as well or better than Nickell at [the time he got hurt last year]. He is longer than Nickell and has an NFL type body and skills."
- With Pullard and Dion Bailey back in the lineup, only Lamar Dawson is missing from the starting trio, so Pullard continues to learn both Mike and Will linebacker positions. "I feel real comfortable at [middle linebacker]," said Pullard, who played that spot in high school.
- If Pullard has to start at the Mike spot, redshirt freshman Anthony Sarao will step into his vacated Will position.
- The head coach is also looking forward to seeing S Gerald Bowman in full pads and live contact. The No. 1 junior college player in the country is still a mystery to the coaching staff. "We know so little about him on the field," said Kiffin, who wants to see him tackle.
- Here are all of Coach Kiffin's comments...
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