September 2012 Archives

• With a Saturday off, USC players and coaches had some time to get a sense of the landscape of college football.  The hot topic was West Virginia QB Geno Smith throwing for 8 touchdowns in a 70-63 win over Baylor.  Matt Barkley called the numbers "impressive" and like a "video game."
• Lane Kiffin on Smith and West Virginia:  "I don't know how you do that.  It's just amazing.  It's hard to do that on air versus a service team."
  
• The latest AP Top 25 features six teams from the Pac-12.  Interestingly, Kiffin credits the depth in the conference partly to the new "dynamic coaches," but also to the NCAA sanctions and USC being forced to miss out on some top recruits.  "I think that's a result of us just not nailing recruiting the last five years. Once we get our numbers back to where we are allowed to sign more, that's going to help as well."
  
• The USC story lines are headlined by the surprisingly minimal or at least inconsistent production from WR Robert Woods.  He did not seem worried in the least.  "Not at all," Woods said.  "I am just trying to make the best of the opportunities that I do get."
  
• Kiffin on getting Woods going: "Throw him the ball more early would help.  Teams have done a good job taking him away."
  
• Barkley on Woods:  "His plays will come.  It was great for us to establish the run game last week."
  
• The offensive line competition continues at left tackle as Aundrey Walker and Max Tuerk are splitting the reps 50/50 this week.
  
• While Barkley would love to see Khaled Holmes in front of him Thursday, he is feeling more comfortable with backup C Abe Markowitz.  "He's come a long way," Barkley said.  "From camp until now, I feel more comfortable with him." 
  
• Nelson Agholor has a hold on the third receiver spot, but Kiffin is hoping that George Farmer will return soon and challenge the freshman.
• Both Kiffin and Barkley remember Pac-12 Media Day, and how the Utah press made Thursday night's game out to be the Utes "Super Bowl."  "We are not taking them lightly at all.  It's going to be a big game for them and their fans," Barkley said.
• Here is Kiffin's media scrum on a Sunday afternoon...

• In his post-practice presser, Kiffin stated that today's practice followed the schedule of a Tuesday. One of the toughest tasks for the Trojans will be playing on Thursday in addition to being on the road.
  
• Having the week off has clearly worked in the Trojans advantage. USC looks more refreshed and even Kiffin remarked that the team is refocused on the remainder of the season. The bye week arrived at the perfect time for USC as the Trojans were struggling with depth issues.
• "I think they were just a little tired with all the build up of camp and expectations of the season," Kiffin said. "It was just a good time to get away for a little bit."
• Kiffin is not worried about the fact that the contest against Utah falls on a Thursday. He believes that the team will not be affected because the 2011 team had two non-Saturday games and played well in both. 
• When asked about how the USC coaching staff will be spending the off-days this weekend, Kiffin made sure to note that he will be attending his children's soccer games on Saturday. 
• Here is Kiffin...

Also, as the daughter of an artist, I was forced to write poetry and do origami and attend photo shoots. So, my job now is an extension of all those things. I used to create "psyche-up posters" for myself with words and pictures cutout from magazines. I was essentially creating key art for myself to get stoked for meets. My first job after I left USC Athletics was in a sports marketing agency that focused on print.

• Lane Kiffin began his press conference with a joke.  He made sure the media knows, "I love my SID."  The joke refers to UCLA's morning controversy.
• DE Morgan Breslin was the hot topic of conversation today.  Despite a breakout season, he has politely declined to do interviews. "All he says is 'Fight On'," said Kiffin.  "And Coach O likes it that way."
  
• Breslin (pictured by John McGillen) has made more than a few statements on the field with his "relentless play." The head coach pointed out that Breslin played every defensive snap against Cal, which included a tackle for loss on the first defensive play and a sack to close out the game.
• The junior college transfer provided an inkling into his work ethic during the spring when he routinely paced the field during conditioning sprints.  Kiffin would like to give him more breathers going forward though if J.R. Tavai can return to health.
• In the Pac-12, USC is No. 1 in yards per kickoff return, average yards per punt and perfect on field goals.  "The kicker and the punter are a big part of that.  We do have an elite kicker," Kiffin praised Kyle Negrete and Andre Heidari.
• The coaches are hoping to develop depth this week, which could present an opportunity for freshman CB Kevon Seymour, who has played sparingly since getting significant action against Hawaii and Syracuse.  "You've got to make every opportunity count because playing time does not come very often," Seymour said.
• As a highly-touted prospect, Seymour dominated the high school game, but maintaining that swagger at the college level is trickier.  "When you've got confidence, it's not hard to keep it going.  In high school, it's different.  You're just above everyone talent wise.  Here, you've got to work hard to be above that person next to you."
• T.J. McDonald is not lacking in confidence.  He made the game-changing interception against Cal despite starting the play out of position.  "T.J. is just a gifted athlete," said fellow safety Drew McAllister. 
  
• Among McDonald's gifts, he has enough length and strength to play in the box as an extra outside linebacker or defensive end, which opens up playing time for McAllister.  "The coaches just want to get some of the best athletes on the field and kind of create some mismatches for some offenses," said McAllister about USC's safety heavy defensive schemes.
• After meeting with the media, Lane Kiffin joined his team in post-practice sprints.  Here's his pre-run session though...

• Lane Kiffin is happy with the timing of the bye week for two reasons.  First, "This was critical for us to get guys back.  Some guys that are playing at 80 or 90%, we can get them fully healthy."
• And second, "This gives us a little more time to focus on [the backups].  It's going to be critical down the stretch because as we know, injuries are going to happen and we are going to need those guys."
• Several coaches missed practice as they hit the recruiting trail across the country.  "We want to make sure that we continue to maintain the level that we've been recruiting at and that nationally, the players understand the importance of our future."
• As you know, Lane Kiffin does not comment on injuries, but in the case of CB Brian Baucham, he is legally restricted from updating the status of his medical condition.
• Kiffin announced that Jabari Ruffin will likely redshirt.  The freshman has worked at both linebacker and as a pass rusher in practice, so he can be a versatile piece of the defense next season.
  
• This season, the media wants to know why the passing game has not been prolific the last three weeks.  Kiffin explained that USC's opponents have gone outside of their typical defensive system to game plan against Robert Woods and Marqise Lee.  "Those two kids have gotten a lot of respect from defensive staffs to implement a new system to stop them.  If we do run the ball...people will change and go back."
• Matt Barkley is having his patience tested by all the shell defenses to stop the deep ball, but he acknowledged that it's good practice for the NFL.  Just like you see Peyton Manning and others constantly audible at the line of scrimmage on Sundays, Barkley's job is to change the play from pass to run if that's what the defense is giving him.
  
• Without big passing stats, individual postseason awards will be harder to come by, but the 2012 Trojans are focused only on victories.  "We're not going to force things just to get people numbers," said Kiffin.  "We're going to do the best thing to win."  
• Both Kiffin and Barkley were asked what they were most pleased with a third of the way through the season.  The head coach and quarterback singled out the defensive line for stepping up despite a lack of experience.
  
• USC and Oregon square off on November 3, which is a long way away, but Barkley admitted that he had one eye on the Ducks demolition of Arizona at his post-game dinner Saturday night.  "I see the score just climbing and climbing.  They have a way of doing that just finishing games."
• Here is Lane Kiffin addressing the media...

• After yesterday's 26-second press conference, Lane Kiffin started with a joke, "Let's see if we can make it past a minute today."
• The head coach has not made any decisions at left tackle, but he is happy with how Aundrey Walker has responded to the challenge.  He also likes what he has seen from true freshman Max Tuerk.
• In talking about Walker and Tuerk, Kiffin insinuated that both players could shift to another position before the end of their Trojan careers.  "We have two really young kids...that are very talented and could play a number of positions on the line here eventually."
  
• Kiffin learned offense under Cal head coach Jeff Tedford at Fresno State.  The familiarity could be seen as a reason for the Trojans and Bears not being as explosive against one and other as they are against other opponents.  "There must be something to it because there have been a number of low scoring games," said Kiffin.
  
• The team is "anxious" to erase the memory of last Saturday's defeat with another game.  "It has been a long week from that standpoint," said Kiffin.  "Saturday cannot come fast enough."
• (Photo by John McGillen)
  
• Here is 6:55 of Kiffin and the media...

• Lane Kiffin's daily media scrum ended after one question this morning, which referenced the availability and practice showing of an injured player.  The head coach declined to answer the question per his previously stated policy regarding no reporting on practice participation. 
  
• As for the on field news, the defense shifted personnel around for Stanford in part due to depth issues, but also to maximize the most talented players like T.J. McDonald.  "He's an impact type player," said Monte Kiffin.  "We've got to get him close to the line of scrimmage, so he has a chance to make more plays."
• DT George Uko was also utilized at defensive end, but that was more about making up for Wes Horton, who was limited.  "We are just down defensive ends," Monte Kiffin said.  "George did a good job.  He's never played defensive end ever.  Then, we just tried to get the four best guys on the field."
• The linebacker trio is complete with Lamar Dawson's return to health.  He led the Trojans in tackles against Stanford.  "It just feels good to get back on the field with my team, and line up the defense, and make the calls, and just make plays," Dawson said.  "It was tough for me just to watch everybody practice, but I got a lot of mental reps."
• LB Dion Bailey had his breakout game against Cal last year on Thursday Night Football when he intercepted Zach Maynard twice.  Since then, he has grown into a full fledged star, but he has seen Maynard improve as well.  "His decision-making has improved.  He's a little bit more accurate than he was last year.  That just comes from maturity."
  
• Cal's offense will challenge USC's team speed and tackling ability with playmakers on the perimeter.  "They create a lot of big plays," Bailey said. "[RB Brendan] Bigelow against Ohio State had a very good game (4 carries for 160 yards).  Keenan Allen is very capable of busting open big plays at any moment."
• The Bears lost to the Buckeyes, but most pundits were impressed that the game was even competitive.  If nothing else, Cal proved that the Trojans should not take them lightly.  "They are not afraid of the big stage," said Bailey. "They went and played in one of the most hostile environments that you could play in in college football, so they are going to come to the Coliseum with confidence high."
• (Photo by John McGillen)
  

• Lane Kiffin still has the bitter taste of losing in his mouth.  "I kind of wish I was a baseball coach," he joked about the long wait until the next game.  Both the coaches and players were excited to be back out on the practice field with the pads on.
  
• Matt Barkley has a 24-hour rule after a win or a loss. He was despondent in the immediate aftermath of the game because he did not see the result coming.  "I think the loss itself and the shock behind it," he explained his post-game reaction. "I didn't think that was going to happen this year."
• Kiffin has been honest about the poor decision-making Barkley made on the two interceptions, but he made the comments in the context of his quarterback's typical greatness.  Today, Kiffin drew a parallel to Peyton Manning throwing three interceptions in the first quarter on Monday Night Football.
• Barkley agreed with his head coach's assessment and candor, "I made some poor decisions. He's going to be real.  I'm glad he's not hiding me behind a curtain.  I know what I did."
• As is typical in football, the quarterback gets the lion's share of the credit when his team wins, but shoulders the blame after a loss.  "It's my team and my offense," Barkley understands.  "I know we're responsible for doing more than that and are capable of doing more than that."
• The offensive line is under scrutiny this week.  "As a whole group, we weren't up to par," said offensive line coach James Cregg.  "We've corrected the mistakes off the film and we're moving on to next week."
  
• Abe Markowitz might have started at center if not for an injury that cost him practice time last week, so the coaches went with Cyrus Hobbi, who took all the first team reps leading up to Stanford.  Markowitz has missed out on playing time a lot in the last three years due to injury, but he is not bemoaning his luck.  "I am the luckiest guy in the world.  I'm here.  I got my degree.  I'm working on my Master's.  I'm glad to be here growing and going forward."
• If Markowitz plays Saturday, he brings a level of experience to the position that Hobbi does not have.  "I've been here just as long as Khaled [Holmes] and been in every meeting with him," he said. "I'm prepared and I'm ready to take snaps at guard or center."
• The left tackle spot is an open competition this week between Aundrey Walker and Max Tuerk.  "We are looking for finish," said Kiffin.  "We won't tolerate lack of great effort...not when you put on these jerseys that all these great players have worn before."
  
• Kiffin expects Walker will respond well to the challenge.  "I'm going to keep working hard," Walker said.  "I don't let anything stop me from helping the team."
  
• Here is the long post-practice session with Kiffin against the new practice backdrop...

• Los Angeles Daily News writer Scott Wolf was present for a portion of practice after his suspension was lifted.  Since no one asked Lane Kiffin about it, the head coach volunteered an explanation about his injury policy in regards to the media. 
  
• Kiffin: "The [newspaper] editors and our people, we are going to try to get together, so you guys can do your jobs the best you can, but also for us not at a competitive [dis]advantage.  I know it is not exactly the best thing for you, but we are also trying to protect our team too."
• As for matters on the field, the defense finished a strong week of practice with CB Nickell Robey making the play of the day stepping in front of a Cody Kessler pass during red zone drills.
• (Photo of early morning practice by John McGillen)
  
• The general sense is that USC's run defense will be given a stern test on Saturday.  Redshirt freshman DT Antwaun Woods is the anchor of that unit.  "He really had a great offseason [and] dropped the weight, [but] he just hasn't played before," said Kiffin.
  
• While Stanford lost All-American TE Coby Fleener to the NFL, the Cardinal can still form an imposing two tight end package with Zach Ertz (6'6" - 252 lbs) and Levine Toilolo (6'8" - 265).  "Mismatch issues," Kiffin said about the problems posed by the duo.  "They go after you.  They are going to split them out and make you cover them."
  
• CB Ryan Henderson has been a name lost in the shuffle as the Trojans search for answers opposite Nickell Robey.  "We try to look at everybody.  Ryan just really hasn't been up with that first group."
• Rust is part of USC's problem at corner as Torin Harris and Brian Baucham played little to no football during fall camp.  "Those guys missed a lot of time," Kiffin said.  "You can see that those guys were a little rusty out there."
  
• Saturday marks the Trojans second of four road games in a five game stretch.  The schedule is front loaded with travel as USC will not leave Los Angeles in November.  "It is an advantage in the long run, [but] it is a disadvantage right away," Kiffin said.
  
• Here is Kiffin's Thursday presser...

Wakeboarding with Matt Kalil from Gatorade on Vimeo.

• The defense dominated this morning's session.  "I thought the defense for two days in a row played very physical and uptempo," said head coach Lane Kiffin.  "I think we are going to play really well on defense [Saturday]."
• While the USC defense has been sized down in the front seven during the Kiffin era to adjust to all the spread offenses, the head coach is hoping that practicing against a pro-style offense each week will help them adjust to Stanford's physical style.
  
• After games against pass-happy Hawaii and Syracuse, the Trojans are gearing up for a fistfight Saturday.  "They are a real tough team," said DE Kevin Greene.  "All their hard work and dedication really shows up on film.  We just have to get our mind right."
• (Classic John McGillen photo of Greene from 2011)
  
• Greene's specialty as an end is pass rushing.  When it comes to run defense, he is focused on "just staying low and making sure that I come off physical every play."
• Morgan Breslin, who started the first two games, is another speedy defensive end.  "He does have to be a little more aware on outside plays of overrunning them," said defensive line coach Ed Orgeron about Breslin, but, "I'd rather have that than the other way."
  
• Breslin has been the biggest surprise on the team, according to Kiffin.  "He's just continued to grow every day," said Orgeron, who then reminded the media it's only been two games. "We've got a long season.  This guy has a lot of things to get better at."
  
• Greene is another player that has been thrust into the spotlight due to the depth issues at defensive end, but as Lane Kiffin likes to say, "If you stay, you play."  "It's all about hard work.  It's all about keeping your mouth shut and getting better every day," said Greene.  "What you can control is how hard you work and how serious you take things on and off the field."
• While Curtis McNeal answered questions yesterday about the game-ending fumble against Stanford last year, S T.J. McDonald's costly personal foul late in regulation was a topic of discussion today.  "He has [changed his play]," said Kiffin about McDonald.  "In general, he tries to avoid that area.  I still don't know...will never know...how the penalty we are discussing could have been stopped."
  
• Kiffin called Robert Woods and Marqise Lee the best blocking duo of wide receivers during his time at Troy.
• The head coach is also impressed by Jim Mora Jr.'s work across town.  "[UCLA] got off to a great start.  Some gigantic numbers.  It is not easy to get your offense and defense playing that well that fast."
  
• The atmosphere in Palo Alto was electric two years ago with a big Trojan contingent amid a nearly sold out crowd.  "It was huge [two years ago]," said Greene, a Bay Area native. "It was loud and the crowd was rowdy." However, Stanford is on the quarter system, so the students are not in school yet. 
• A much better camera angle of Coach Kiffin as he addressed the media today...

• Nobody would take the bait.  Not Lane Kiffin, not Matt Barkley or Curtis McNeal.  Despite back-to-back heartbreaking losses to Stanford, USC is sticking with the "just another game" mantra.
• RT Kevin Graf admitted that last year's loss "absolutely" sticks with him, but "this is a new year."
• (Photo by LA Times)
  
• McNeal has the most motivation after his triple overtime fumble ended last year's Coliseum classic, but the veteran running back has put the mistake behind him.  "I was able to put it away that night.  It's just football.  You just have to keep on going."
• Despite the fumble, McNeal was the offensive catalyst against the Cardinal last season.  He ran for 145 yards and 2 TDs on 20 carries, but he has not been the primary ball carrier in 2012.  "I can't worry about how many times I touch it.  Just when I touch it, I have to make something happen."
  
• The running game exploded for 258 yards against Syracuse, but the night ended on a sour note with Khaled Holmes getting carted off.  "It's always tough to watch one of your guys go down like that, but we have Cyrus [Hobbi] and he stepped up," Graf said.  "I know he's ready for it if his time comes."
• Holmes is the undisputed leader of the offensive line, so Graf and others will need to communicate more if Holmes misses any time.  "It pushes me more to step up and try to get this line going," Graf said. 
• The offensive line will get a huge challenge from Stanford's experienced front seven.  "They are very disciplined," McNeal said.  "They always stick to their rules.  You never catch their guys out of place."
  
• The Stanford offense has been balanced in its first two games, but the general perception is that the Cardinal will try to run the ball and control the clock Saturday.  "They seem to have leaned on their running game, which is still really good," said Kiffin about post-Andrew Luck Stanford. 
  
• As for today's practice, the defense had the better of the competitive action.  Defensive backs Drew McAllister and Anthony Brown forced incompletions by breaking hard on the ball, which is the type of aggressive play the coaches need to see more of from the secondary.
  
• Sorry about the camerawork for Kiffin's media scrum today.  We will work on our box out techniques for next practice.  Here is the sound at least...

• Birthday Boy - On his 22nd birthday, Matt Barkley tied his own school record with six touchdown passes in a single game.  The Heisman frontrunner now has 10 TD passes on the season, but he was limited to mostly underneath throws against the Orange.  "I did have to be patient with the ball," said Barkley, who completed 23 of 30 for only 187 yards.  The QB took blame for "a poor ball" on his first interception of the season, but he was all smiles after the game thanks to a team serenade of "Happy Birthday" in the locker room.

• Reversal of Fortune - Lane Kiffin sparked the rushing attack by calling a pair of reverses for his star wideouts.  Marqise Lee picked up a 4th down conversion on a 23-yard run in the first half and then Robert Woods helped break the game open with a 76-yard scamper in the final quarter.  "That's part of the run game," said Kiffin about reverses.  "Our running game really complemented us today," Barkley praised the group which picked up 258 yards on 7.8 yards per carry.  Silas Redd enjoyed his first 100-yard rushing game as a Trojan.

• Out of the Woods - While Marqise Lee owned the spotlight against Hawaii, Robert Woods was the main attraction tonight.  When Syracuse closed the gap to 21-16, Woods put the team on his back.  He finished the day with 10 catches (2 touchdowns), a 31-yard punt return and a 76-yard run.  "That's why we recruit...to get guys like 9 and 2," Kiffin said about his dynamic duo.  "Robert really stepped up."  Lee was pretty good too with three more TD catches.

• Kick It Up a Notch - In an atmosphere that lacked energy, the Trojans received an emotional lift from the special teams, which dominated field position thanks to three Kyle Negrete punts downed inside the 20.  And in the absence of PK Andre Heidari, walk-ons Alex Wood and Craig McMahon filled in admirably.  Wood, who joined the team during fall camp, is relatively new to football after converting from soccer in high school, but he drilled all six extra points.  "It was surreal walking out there, but once the ball got down, it was the same as practice," Wood said.

• MetLife Madness - A severe weather warning forced play to be suspended for more than an hour leaving the Trojans stuck in the locker room and the fans seeking shelter in the concourse.  "We don't have a lot of delays from thunderstorms in Southern California," Barkley quipped. "I thought our guys responded well after that long delay."  The coaches actually enjoyed the extra time to prepare for the second half, while the players just tried to relax and preserve energy.

• The Corners - The win was not without warts.  The defense wilted at times in the second half as Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib attacked USC's corners not named Nickell Robey.  "They did a good job on offense taking advantage of us on the outside," said Kiffin, who used Robey primarily in the slot.  The Trojans gave up 322 yards passing, and the head coach was most disappointed with the fade routes that got over the top of the secondary.

Two-point conversion...

• X-Man - Xavier Grimble had only one reception, but he made it count.  The sophomore tight end broke four tackles and lost his helmet on a beastly 22-yard catch and run TD, which changed the momentum of the game for good.

• Holmes Injury - Late in the game, senior captain Khaled Holmes was carted off with an apparent ankle injury.  If the center misses any time, redshirt freshman Cyrus Hobbi will take his place.  USC also played the entire second half without defensive ends Wes Horton and J.R. Tavai and WR George Farmer.

• The Trojans went through a mental practice today with minimal sweat.  The coaches emphasize the gameplan on Thursdays.
• After practice, the team will have a short lunch and then board buses for LAX and eventually a chartered flight to New Jersey.
• USC will arrive at the hotel in Teaneck, NJ, around 10 p.m. Eastern time.
• The game marks something of a homecoming for RB Silas Redd (Norwalk, CT) and LB Anthony Sarao (Egg Harbor Township, NJ).  While those players expect to have lots of friends and family in the stands for support, the head coach wants his players focused on the task at hand.  "Our guys understand this is all business," said Lane Kiffin.  "We are flying there with one thing in mind and that's to win the game and get back home."
• Here is an abbreviated post-practice media scrum with Lane Kiffin...

• RB D.J. Morgan tweeted that he will have "minor knee surgery" and be out three to four weeks.  Lane Kiffin confirmed the surgery.
• Without Morgan, the running back depth is down to Curtis McNeal, Silas Redd and Buck Allen, which underscores how important it was to get Redd this summer, said Kiffin.
• The defense hopes to be buoyed by the return of CB Torin Harris and LB Lamar Dawson.  While Kiffin has not guaranteed that either will start even if healthy, he is looking forward to the added rotation depth at both spots.
• (Photo of Matt Barkley and Nickell Robey by John McGillen)
  
• The defensive line, which Kiffin called the story of the Hawaii game, took the preseason media slights personally.  "I like the fact that no one thinks we are good enough," said DT George Uko.  "It makes us come out here every day with a chip [on our shoulder]."
• Uko assumed a leadership role with senior DE Wes Horton sidelined for the opener.  "Coach O expects me to step up to the plate and do just that.  It is something that I have accepted."
  
• The redshirt sophomore defensive tackle has made himself more versatile this season by switching to the nose when freshman Leonard Williams plays alongside him.  "It is the same technique basically just in a different shape," Uko said.  "I am taking [Leonard Williams] under my wing just like the older guys like Jurrell [Casey] did me."
• Williams has blossomed quickly under Uko's tutelage.  In his first college game, he recorded a sack and a fumble recovery.  "The first game was really fun," Williams said.  "That was my first time playing with my teammates and the d-line came out and did a pretty good job."
• As for Syracuse, the Trojans will have a rare walk-thru on Friday at MetLife Stadium because the team is arriving two days before the game.  "We need something to do," Kiffin reasoned that the team will be bored.
  
• Here is Lane Kiffin on a gray September morning...

• The offense dominated practice today.  At one point, the defense called a timeout to regroup after getting carved up by all three Trojan quarterbacks.
• On the positive side, the passing game looked extremely sharp, including a strong performance by redshirt freshman WR Victor Blackwell in 7-on-7.  The Mater Dei product made his first collegiate catch late in the opener against Hawaii.
• The tempo of practice was fast today to prepare for Syracuse, which runs some no-huddle.  Plus, the Trojans ended a steamy morning with extra conditioning.  The forecast predicts 79-degree temperatures on Saturday and expect humidity.
• Syracuse leads the country in passing yards after QB Ryan Nassib lit Northwestern up for 470 yards.  "We gave up more yards than we should have to Hawaii with a quarterback that had never played.  Here's a quarterback who is setting school records, so...it is a huge challenge this week," said Lane Kiffin.
• USC became the first No. 1 team to drop in the AP poll after winning a game by 35+ points since Penn State in 1997, according to ESPN Stats Info.  As you would expect, Kiffin could not care less about the rankings this time of year.
  
• Robert Woods was overshadowed by Marqise Lee in the first game, but he is healthy and caught two touchdowns.  "I felt fast out there," said Woods.
• A year ago, Woods caught 17 balls to carry the Trojans to a victory over Minnesota, but the offense has diversified since then.  "You can see the different weapons we have on the field," Woods said.  "That's what this offense is about, spreading the ball this year.  There's just too many weapons."
• (Photo of Woods by Jon SooHoo)
  
• He might have had a bigger statistical game if not for all the pass interference calls that cost him catches, but gained the team first downs.  Although, Woods admits drawing flags is not as much fun as catching passes.  "I guess I've got to learn," he said.  "Those are balls that when they are in there, it's mine."
• Freshman WR Nelson Agholor was praised by Kiffin for springing Lee's kickoff return for a touchdown.  Woods expects the youngster will respond well to his first road game.  "He is pretty calm.  He is not too excited and jittery.  Just focus on the task at hand...and breathe."
• Here is the first of two interview sessions with Lane Kiffin that we will post today...

• Marqise Lee - The sophomore wide receiver scored the first touchdown of the season 14 seconds into the game.  He finished with 10 catches for 197 yards plus a 100-yard kickoff return for a second TD.  And yet, both he and Lane Kiffin were disappointed by a couple of dropped balls, which only underscores how high Lee has set the bar.  "Our expectations are higher than how he played today," said Kiffin, who reiterated that Lee could be the greatest WR in USC history.
  

• Hayes Pullard - In his first start at middle linebacker in place of the injured Lamar Dawson, Pullard seemed like he was everywhere, including five tackles and a pick-six in the first half.  However, he explained that his touchdown was a little bit fortuitous.  "It wasn't my play to actually make.  I was supposed to be in the backfield blitzing." The sophomore made a fashion statement with his cardinal-colored mohawk for game one. (Photo by John McGillen)
  

• Matt Barkley - Another perfectionist.  He completed 23 of 38 passes for 377 yards and 4 TDs without an interception or sack, but the senior graded the offense in the C range.  "It was bittersweet.  We could've scored at least 100 points in the first half it feels like," said Barkley.

• Sackmasters - The defensive line was the most unproven unit entering the game, and DE Wes Horton's absence due to injury did not help matters.  The kids did more than alright though as the defense tallied six sacks led by DE Morgan Breslin, who starred in his first college game with a sack and two tackles for loss.  Fellow debutants DE Greg Townsend and DT Leonard Williams recorded the first sacks of their Trojan careers.  "A lot of question marks there...but it seems like they made a lot of plays up front," Kiffin said.  "I was very proud of those guys."
  

• The Negatives - The 2012 Trojans have greater goals in mind than winning the season opener.  To that end, the coaches will harp on three major areas of improvement: penalties, dropped balls and the run game.  The USC offense struggled with procedural penalties (false starts and delay of game calls) as well as drops from Lee and Robert Woods.  The offense lacked the desired balance as the three running backs combined for 92 yards on 21 carries (4.4 yards per carry).  "We've got a lot of work to do and I think our players know that too," said Kiffin.  "We can't do what we did today against some other teams that are going to be on our schedule."
  

• Welcome to the Show - Of the 61 Trojans that played tonight, 26 made their USC debuts.  "I am excited to get to this film to be able to see some kids that had not played a lot," Kiffin said.  Besides the defensive line, QB Max Wittek was a perfect 3/3 in his first collegiate appearance, while FB Soma Vainuku (2 catches for 23 yards and a forced fumble), S Josh Shaw (interception) and LB Anthony Sarao (sack) also shined. 

Extra Point...

• Kicking Quandary - PK Andre Heidari injured his right leg in the first quarter, and Kiffin was told that the sophomore was out for the rest of the game.  Without Heidari, Kiffin resorted to going for two after touchdowns and using walk-on Craig McMahon on kickoffs.  However, Heidari felt good enough to drill a 28-yard field goal as time expired to end the first half.

RB Silas Redd bounced back from an early fumble to score his first Trojan touchdown on a 31-yard scamper.  Here are his thoughts on the opener...