Notes and observations from Wednesday's practice ...
USC was in full pads. Just thud tackling today. Still, it was a much more intense, energetic practice.
11-on-11:
Cody Kessler hits Darreus Rogers on the sideline.
Kessler hits Connor Spears, who's been in the thick of the tight end rotation since returning from a concussion.
Kenny Bigeow stops Aca'Cedric Ware in the backfield.
Ware pick up about seven yards but is chased down by Bigelow, who is commended by a grad assistant for his hustle.
***
Kessler makes a strong throw over the middle to De'Quan Hampton for a TD.
Noah Jefferson, who's been increasingly disruptive, gets in the backfield and forces Dom Davis outside where he's met by John Plattenburg for a TFL. Jefferson and Jacob Daniel have been fixtures with the second team of late.
Ware catches a swing pass and alertly spins off Su'a Cravens for a nice gain. Ware was targeted a lot today.
Scout team period:
The O-line (from LT-RT)
Kessler hits Adoree' about 20-25 yards downfield between defenders. These are the throws that I believe are crucial to the offense and his personal growth. It wasn't a dangerous throw but there is some risk involved. It's a matter of being aggressive and getting the ball into a open pocket in the defense.
***
Max Browne throws a screen to Adoree'.
Browne hits Adoree' deep.
Browne hits Ware on a swing.
Browne flips it to Ware, who squeezes thin and runs through the line for a long gain up the middle. Michael Lev of the OC Register likened Ware's compact running style and mannerisms to Terrell Davis. When you see Ware run, you'll see what he's talking about.
11-on-11:
Scott Felix stuffs a Tre Madden run.
Madden runs right and is stopped by a crowd.
Madden has a hole and cuts twice for a long run. That he had more carries today is a good sign. I only remember him getting one yesterday in team periods.
Kessler goes deep down the sideline to JuJu Smith-Schuster. The ball falls incomplete but Biggie Marshall probably should have been called for PI. He had his back turned and made contact with JuJu before the ball arrived. Good decision by Kessler, looking for the big play against single coverage and putting it where it won't be picked off.
***
Dom Davis has been running a lot more physical the past two weeks after getting bounced a round in Week 1.
Soma Vainuku busts through the line and picks up a first down. When he gets some steam it's tough to stop him, especially if you try to go high on him. His upper half is so powerful.
Ware picks up a handful as the secondary tries to pry the ball loose. Not sure if he's fumbled yet in practice.
Kessler drops one in to Darreus over a DB. Good throw and catch.
Special teams:
Sark has JuJu, one of the gunners on the punt team, work on pinning the ball inside the 5. JuJu succeeds on the final attempt and Sark is noticeably pleased.
Noah Jefferson blocks a punt.
Plattenburg, Cravens, Cam Smith, Porter Gustin, Osa Masina and Marvell Tell all exit early, presumably for class.
Final 11-on-11:
Toa Lobendahn and Chad Wheeler split reps at LT. Zach Banner is the RT.
Biggie adeptly uses his hands to force an incompletion.
Dom Davis gets outside and cuts upfield for a big gain. All he needs is some space. Chris Hawkins finally runs him down.
Jabari Ruffin pops Isaac Whitney, who hangs while falling to the ground.
***
USC is holding closed practices the next three days. Sark will meet with the media on Thursday and Saturday. Select players will also be made available following Saturday's practice, which will be held at the Coliseum.
Sark actually had a trickle of blood falling from his leg as he met with the media. He laughed and said he was probably kicked. As I previously mentioned, there was a better spirit out there today. Sark was more himself.
USC was in full pads. Just thud tackling today. Still, it was a much more intense, energetic practice.
11-on-11:
Cody Kessler hits Darreus Rogers on the sideline.
Kessler hits Connor Spears, who's been in the thick of the tight end rotation since returning from a concussion.
Kenny Bigeow stops Aca'Cedric Ware in the backfield.
Ware pick up about seven yards but is chased down by Bigelow, who is commended by a grad assistant for his hustle.
***
Kessler makes a strong throw over the middle to De'Quan Hampton for a TD.
Noah Jefferson, who's been increasingly disruptive, gets in the backfield and forces Dom Davis outside where he's met by John Plattenburg for a TFL. Jefferson and Jacob Daniel have been fixtures with the second team of late.
Ware catches a swing pass and alertly spins off Su'a Cravens for a nice gain. Ware was targeted a lot today.
Scout team period:
The O-line (from LT-RT)
- 1st team - Wheeler, Mama, Tuerk, Viane, Toa
- 2nd team - Edoga, Brown, Rodgers, Falah, Banner
Kessler hits Adoree' about 20-25 yards downfield between defenders. These are the throws that I believe are crucial to the offense and his personal growth. It wasn't a dangerous throw but there is some risk involved. It's a matter of being aggressive and getting the ball into a open pocket in the defense.
***
Max Browne throws a screen to Adoree'.
Browne hits Adoree' deep.
Browne hits Ware on a swing.
Browne flips it to Ware, who squeezes thin and runs through the line for a long gain up the middle. Michael Lev of the OC Register likened Ware's compact running style and mannerisms to Terrell Davis. When you see Ware run, you'll see what he's talking about.
11-on-11:
Scott Felix stuffs a Tre Madden run.
Madden runs right and is stopped by a crowd.
Madden has a hole and cuts twice for a long run. That he had more carries today is a good sign. I only remember him getting one yesterday in team periods.
Kessler goes deep down the sideline to JuJu Smith-Schuster. The ball falls incomplete but Biggie Marshall probably should have been called for PI. He had his back turned and made contact with JuJu before the ball arrived. Good decision by Kessler, looking for the big play against single coverage and putting it where it won't be picked off.
***
Dom Davis has been running a lot more physical the past two weeks after getting bounced a round in Week 1.
Soma Vainuku busts through the line and picks up a first down. When he gets some steam it's tough to stop him, especially if you try to go high on him. His upper half is so powerful.
Ware picks up a handful as the secondary tries to pry the ball loose. Not sure if he's fumbled yet in practice.
Kessler drops one in to Darreus over a DB. Good throw and catch.
Special teams:
Sark has JuJu, one of the gunners on the punt team, work on pinning the ball inside the 5. JuJu succeeds on the final attempt and Sark is noticeably pleased.
Noah Jefferson blocks a punt.
Plattenburg, Cravens, Cam Smith, Porter Gustin, Osa Masina and Marvell Tell all exit early, presumably for class.
Final 11-on-11:
Toa Lobendahn and Chad Wheeler split reps at LT. Zach Banner is the RT.
Biggie adeptly uses his hands to force an incompletion.
Dom Davis gets outside and cuts upfield for a big gain. All he needs is some space. Chris Hawkins finally runs him down.
Jabari Ruffin pops Isaac Whitney, who hangs while falling to the ground.
***
USC is holding closed practices the next three days. Sark will meet with the media on Thursday and Saturday. Select players will also be made available following Saturday's practice, which will be held at the Coliseum.
Sark actually had a trickle of blood falling from his leg as he met with the media. He laughed and said he was probably kicked. As I previously mentioned, there was a better spirit out there today. Sark was more himself.
