Notes and Observations: USC Fall Practice (No. 5)

The Trojans were in full pads to go over situatuonal assignments/play calling in anticipation of their full scrimmage this Saturday in the Coliseum. Coach Helton said the scrimmage will be ran like a "Pre-Season game", meaning without much interruption. Overall I'd say it was a tie between the defense and offense. Each Quarterback made a few memorable throws today and given the situational work, it's hard to pick a front runner today. Scouts from the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Baltimore Ravens were present to watch the scrimmage. Clancy Pendergast and Dave Campo were sharing words with the Cowboys scout during the practice; both guys coached in Dallas. 

Today we struggled to find a good angle to watch the Red Zone/2 Minute Drills as the players made a human shield on the right side of the field. Of course the majority went to that side of the field so it was a fight to get names and numbers of who was involved in each play. One thing that we did have a good view of, was the Baltimore Ravens Scout's Gucci Sandal shoes. Our very own Scott Schrader is now inspired to purchase a pair. 

The team began practice with a team stretch. Ykili Ross, Chuma Edoga, Porter Gustin, Cam Smith, Wole Betiku, Solo, and Chase McGrath were on the sidelines with injuries. Following the stretch, the team transitioned into position groups. The linebackers were working on tackling techniques, focusing on clean takedowns. The DBs were working on diving interceptions, and tackling WRs. At the beginning of this drill, the players were initiating contact, then letting up; this then changed when newly hired consultant Dave Campo started calling on the DBs to "throw him off the field." From that point on, the intesnity soared during the drill.

The team then worked on punt returns. Chris Tilbey and Reid Budrovich were the two punters and it was clear that Tilbey looked better today. Coming off of a rough season in terms of punting, Tilbey showed capapbility of being able to boot the ball 45-55 yards down the field which would be an improvement from last season. He averaged around 38 yards per punt last season. Ajene Harris, Tyler Vaughns, and Trevon Sidney were the returners today.

The offensive line and defensive line were doing 1 on 1 drills from the line. Here are the results from that session:

Brandon Pili smashes through Toa Lobendahn

Liam Jimmons is handeled by Chris Brown

Levi Jones beats Josh Falo

Bryce Matthews (Walk On) beats Josh Falo

Hunter Echols beats Jalen McKenzie

Liam Jimmons is stopped by Jordan Austin

Elijah Winston is stooped Josh Falo

Levi Jones burns Josh Falo 

Juliano Falaniko beats Liam Douglass

Brandon Pili is stopped by Justin Dedich

Caleb Tremblay beats Jacob Daniel

Juliano Falaniko is stopped by Clayton Bradley 

Jay Tufele is stopped by Alijah Vera-Tucker

Malon T is stopped by Brett Neilon

Caleb Tremblay blows through Chris Brown

Levi Jones beats Liam Douglass

Christian Rector is stopped by  Clayton Bradley 

The Trojans then began to work on running play in a full scrimmage style.

The 1st Defense:

DBs: Iman Marshall, Marvell Tell, Bubba Bolden, Ajene Harris, Isaiah Langley

D-Line: Kana'i Mauga,Malik Dorton, Christian Rector, Brandon Pili

LBs: John Houston and Jordan Iosefa

Sears hands off to Ced who rushes for 6 yards before he is pushed out of bounds. 

Sears hands off to Ced who is bottled up at the line by a three headed monster: Rector/Dorton/Tell 

Sears hands off to Vavae who runs left then goes turns back to run right. He had an open field in front of him but was taken down by Bubba Bolden for only a 2 yard gain.

Sears hands off to Vavae and Malik Dorton is right there to stop him for no gain.

Sears hands off to Carr who rushes for 6 yards before being pushed out by Marvell Tell

Daniels hands off to Carr who is stopped at the line by CJ Pollard. 

Daniels hands off to Stepp who is stopped by Jay Tufele for no gain. 

Daniels hands off to Markese Stepp who breaks 3 or 4 tackles to gain 20+ yards. This had a Marshawn Lynch "BEASTQUAKE" feel to it. His size and strength will be a great addition for the Trojans this season. 

Daniels hands off to Ced Ware but Hunter Echols catches him for a 2 yard loss. Echols speed off the line has given the O-line some trouble. 

Daniels hands off to Ced who breaks tackles for a 6 yard gain.

Fink rushes and is stopped immediately by Palaie Gaoteote. Palaie very much reminds me of Bobby Wagner from the Seahawks. He weighs 250 now but still maintains all of the speed from his high school days.

Fink hands off to Ced who rushes for an 8 yard gain. Chris Brown created a nice hole for Ced to pick up yards.

Toa Lobendahn has another bad snap. Clay Helton, who was visibly angry, picked up the ball and spiked it on the ground. 

Fink throws to Tyler Vaughns for an 8 yard gain.

Sears hands off to Stephen Carr who finds a nice hole and rushes for a 25 yard TD. McKenzie/Vera- Tucker created the whole. 

Sears hands off to Stepp but Talanoa Hufanga bottles him up. The defense and coaches were all pumped for Hufanga. 

Sears runs an option for 6 yards. 

Sears hands off to Vavae Malepeai who cuts and jukes his way across the field for a 25 yard gain.

The team then worked on field goals.

Brown good from 20
Brown good from 20
Stadthaus (Walk On) good from 30
Stadthaus (Walk On) good from 30
Brown good from 38
Brown good from 35
Stadthaus (Walk On) good from 40
Brown good from 35

Jake Olson then snapped one ball to end the field goal drills. 

Brown good from 20

The Kickers were 9/9 today which is refreshing considering Chase McGrath has been sidelined with a knee injury.

To end practice, the team worked on Red Zone drills.

Sears can't reach a bad snap from Toa Lobendahn but Ced Ware is able to locate the ball and dive on it. 

Brett Neilon Joins The First Team:

Sears finds Vaughns on a short route, Vaughns then takes off for 15 yards before being pushed out of bounds.

Sears hands off to Ware who is tackled at the line by Pili/ Tufele 

Sears hands off to Vavae who is stopped at the line by Marvell Tell 

Sears throws a screen to Vavae Malepeai who breaks 3 tackles for a TD. Vavae has to be one of the hardest guys on the team to tackle. Defenders can never seem to get him down on their first try. His ability to shift and juke gives him space for big runs. 

Sears hits Carr on a screen pass for a TD. Carr shook off Jordan Iosefa on the way to the endzone.

Daniels hands off to Stepp who is stopped at the line by CJ Pollard and Connor Murphy.

Daniels throws for an 8 yard gain. This play was blocked off so I couldn't see much of what happened after it left JT's hand. 

Daniels hands off to Ben Easington (Walk On) for no gain.

Daniels hands off to somebody and once again we have absolutely no way of knowing what happened. 

Fink airs a ball out for a TD caught by Velus Jones. Velus ran a deep slant route and Fink timed the ball perfectly, to hit Velus in stride. 

Fink hands off to Vavae for a 6  yard gain.

Fink hands off to Carr who rushes for a TD. Toa created a big hole for Carr.

Fink is sacked by Jordan Iosefa

Fink hands off to Carr who is met at the line by 5 or 6 defenders.

Fink hits Pittman 8 yards up the field on a slant route. 

Sears completes a 10 yard pass to a receiver. I couldn't make out who caught it. 

Sears tosses a beauty to Tyler Petite in the endzone for a 20+ yard TD.

The team concluded practice by working on goal line drills. Here are the results from that:

Daniels receives a low snap from Toa that is fumbled. JT probably should have gotten to this but it was a reach.

Daniels airs a ball out that was too high for the receiver to catch. The receiver was in tight coverage so Daniels was wise to put it only where the receiver could possibly get it. 

Daniels throws a pass that looks like it may have been deflected. The ball landed in open field. 

Fink hands it off to Vavae for a TD. Chase Williams got popped by an O-lineman on this play. He had to be helped off the field but it did not seem like a big deal.

Sears rolls out but can't find a receiver so he throws it awat.

Sears hits Carr on a screen for a TD. Carr racked up 4 TDs today and looks very healthy.

Daniels hands off to Stepp who tries to push his way through a group of 4 defenders but is ultimately stopped for no real gain. 

Daniels ends practice with a beautiful laser to Tyler Vaughn’s in the endzone for a TD. A great way for Daniels to leave a mark on practice 5. 

The O-line seemed to have a better day today and the notes back that up with the Screen/Rush TDs. There is definitely still room for improvement but I walked away feeling like the Offensive Line are capable of holding their own. I'd say Sears and Fink were tied today as the better looking QBs. Daniels was a little unlucky today in terms of pass protection. It seemed like things started to crash when he was at QB, which I would not pin on him.

We will be in the Coliseum tomorrow for practice and we will have updates posted on TrojanInsider.com.