After an ugly scrimmage, the USC offense came out firing on Monday...
- Lane Kiffin was pleased with the response of his team particularly on offense. "I think the offense was humbled a little bit," the head coach said of the scrimmage.
- After looking at the film, Kiffin has decided to keep the position battle information to himself. "I want to keep the competition going here and not really play it out in the media," he said.
- S Jawanza Starling is happy with what he put on tape as he continues to try to hold off Demetrius Wright. The senior was excellent down the stretch last season, but he is still forced to compete. "Every day you have to come in and prepare to work hard for your spot," Starling said. "This is USC...nothing is given to you."
The offensive skill positions do not have a lot of competition at the top of the depth chart, so Kiffin is worried about complacency. "We try to challenge our guys not to be the best at their position group but to be the best in the country," Kiffin said.- Kiffin was candid in his criticism of all three quarterbacks, which of course includes Matt Barkley. "I never got in a rhythm," said Barkley. "It was a weird day."
- Barkley and the rest of the position leaders challenged the younger players to raise the level of their game and preparation. "You've got to kind of grow up now," he said about his inexperienced teammates. "It's time to make plays. It's time to know your stuff or else you're going to hold us back."
- The two star receivers were not immune either, and Kiffin singled out "No. 2 and No. 9" as responding with an all-out effort today. Robert Woods made another spectacular touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone.
- All three QBs were efficient in practice, but Cody Kessler stood out with two accurate TD passes in tight windows to TE Xavier Grimble and WR De'Von Flournoy.
- DL J.R. Tavai, who returned to practice after an injury stint, made the defensive play of the day by knocking a ball down in coverage of a tight end. While Tavai is undersized for a defensive lineman, he makes up for it with a high motor and plus athleticism.
- Also on the defensive line, Kiffin pointed out that DE Morgan Breslin played well in the scrimmage after a rough week of practice.
- The media was introduced to freshmen WR Nelson Agholor and OL Max Tuerk. We will post those interviews Tuesday.
- Here is Lane Kiffin's complete post-practice presser...
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