Saturday Morning Practice Notes/Pics

The Trojans came out in shorts and helmets for Saturday's morning practice. After yesterday's day off the defense was fired up while the offense looked a little sluggish.

When the Trojans came out for practice this morning they were surprised to see a wet, muddy field. Apparently, the sprinklers were left on overnight causing the field too be quite slippery. The wet conditions didn't have much of an effect on the action.

Cornerback's Step Up

Going against a receiving unit that includes Patrick Turner, David Ausberry and Vidal Hazelton on a daily basis can be quite a challenging proposition. But today the cornerbacks clearly got the best of the battle. Cary Harris, Kevin Thomas and Terrell Thomas each had a pass deflection and kept Patrick Turner and David Ausberry contained all morning.

Shotgun

For the first time in the Pete Carroll Era, USC is going to use the shotgun formation. Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian has installed the formation during camp. The Trojans came out in the shotgun formation several times today during 7-on-7 and in team drills.

Injury Report

Will Harris suffered a sprained ankle during Thursday's scrimmage and was held out of today's practice. Sam Baker and Kevin Thomas were back in action today and Coach Carroll expects Vidal Hazelton and Drew Radovich to participate in today's afternoon practice.

Pictures from Saturday Morning's session:


Sedrick Ellis has quietly been the best defensive lineman on the field through fall camp. Here he stops C.J. Gables in his tracks.


Running Back Allen Bradford finishes off a nice run.


Taylor Mays goes high for the ball in a drill.


The hardest working men and women on the field. Not only do the USC Managers run equipment all over the practice fields, they sometimes serve as scout team running backs for position drills. This was during a defensive lineman recognition drill.


We've said it before, but it's worth repeating: with all of the talk of the tailback logjam, Fullback Stanley Havili has been the Trojans' best all around back during fall camp.


John David Booty lets one fly.


It took two weeks, but we finally saw David Ausberry drop a pass today. It wasn't this one though, as he hauled one in during 7v7. It might be another two weeks and 300 thrown balls before he drops another.


It wasn't this one either, as Ausberry brought this one in amidst tight coverage.


Kevin Thomas, back on the field this week, had a spectacular break up of a post route against Ausberry.