The Trojans are back on the field tomorrow plus four consecutive practices next week before departing for El Paso.
- Practice went off as scheduled but there was a police presence outside Heritage Hall and the John McKay Center plus a constant helicopter overhead handling a search for a narcotics suspect, which has since been resolved. Due to the incident, we were unable to film Lane Kiffin's post-practice presser, but we will bring you the highlights in writing.
Marqise Lee returned to practice and "did not look like he's missed a beat," said Kiffin. Matt Barkley is not expected to practice until the team arrives in Texas, so the quarterback reps were split between Max Wittek and Cody Kessler.- If Barkley cannot go, Wittek would start against Georgia Tech. "This is just part of the eventual competition for who is the starter next year," said Kiffin on giving the QBs equal time.
- Wittek is preparing to start, but he also has an eye on leading this team in 2013. "With Matt not being here, [it] gives us that sense that alright, it's time," said Wittek. "It gives us an opportunity to step up and be leaders and compete."
- Practice was energized and heated today with the ones battling the ones instead of the service teams. The offense dominated the goal line scrimmage at the end, which always ramps up the intensity level. "Today was a blast," Wittek said. "Any time you get the chance to compete, as Division-1 athletes, that's what we thrive on."
- The USC defense has done some mental prep work for Georgia Tech's option offense, but they have not practiced against it yet. LB Dion Bailey explained the challenges, "It's very tricky. It plays with your eyes and your gap discipline. Anyone slips up and there's gaps all over the place and they seem to hit them all the time."
- Bailey has not played against this offense since his Lakewood Lancers played Compton HS. He said that Paul Johnson's triple-option is "completely different" than Chip Kelly's offense at Oregon. "It'll be exciting to see how we adjust and how people show up. We've got a lot to prove in this game. A lot of people are doubting us and we want to get our 2013 season started off right."
- Kiffin is thrilled to have Tee Martin returning to the staff for another season after turning down an offer from his alma mater Tennessee. The wide receivers coach is a key cog in the recruiting effort which culminates February 1. "It would have been tough to replace him as a coach and...a recruiter," Kiffin said. "We're going to lose him some day. He's going to be a head coach here pretty soon."
- The head coach likes what he has seen from George Farmer during the bowl practices. Farmer has an immense amount of talent, but the coaches would like to see more consistency from him. Kiffin also pointed out WR Victor Blackwell as a practice standout.
- When the Trojans return from El Paso, Zach Banner will switch from the gridiron to the hardwood. Kiffin anticipates that basketball will be beneficial to Banner's athletic development. "What he has to do playing defense and moving around in basketball, and what he has to do with his feet carrying over has a lot to do with it, especially offensive tackles," he said.
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