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USC Football Notebook: Barkley, Woods on same page in scrimmage

 

USC found two ways to rejuvenate a struggling offense on Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum.

Trojans coach Lane Kiffin decided the starting offense would only face the second-team defense. And just as important, injured wide receiver Robert Woods returned.

Although quarterback Matt Barkley completed only one of his first seven passes, he finished with five touchdowns as he completed 15 of 25 overall for 261 yards with one interception.

Woods (Serra High) caught three of those touchdowns and finished with six receptions for 122 yards. The chemistry was apparent as the duo improvised on a 22-yard completion for the first touchdown of the game.

"I just put it over the top and he was there," Barkley said. "We're just on the same page. Whether it's telepathic, I don't know."

Woods said his sprained ankle felt 100 percent after some tightness on his first play. The Trojans look like a different team with Woods but he pointed out another key to the season.

"We're only as good as our line," he said.

The other star, not surprisingly, was wide receiver Marqise Lee (also Serra) who caught seven passes for 165 yards and one touchdown. Kiffin refused to say Lee won a starting position, however.

"I don't know that. He definitely showed he will play a lot," Kiffin said.

Running game struggles

While USC's passing offense excelled, the running game was below average.

"It was critical to get the passing game healthy," Kiffin said.
But the tailback rotation also proved curious. The diminutive Curtis McNeal started and left early after hurting his knee for the second straight scrimmage.

"He gets banged up," Kiffin said.

Freshman D.J. Morgan, who was not supposed to play because of a sore knee, then came on followed by Dillon Baxter, who fell to No. 3 on the depth chart. Morgan gained 44 yards in 12 carries while Baxter added 31 in 10. Freshman Amir Carlisle gained 10 yards in seven carries.

"It is what it is," Kiffin said of the lack of a clear-cut starter.

Backup battle

Freshman quarterbacks Cody Kessler and Max Wittek continued their competition for the No. 2 spot with Kessler enjoying a better day despite throwing an interception. Kessler was 13 for 19 for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Wittek completed 11 of 23 passes for 128 yards and two TDs.

Kiffin declined to say who was ahead, although Kessler would be the likely choice today.

Scrimmage tidbits

Marquis Simmons started at outside linebacker ahead of Dion Bailey, the No.1 choice for most of camp. Cornerback Nickell Robey returned a fumble 90 yards for a touchdown but also fumbled a punt return. Safety Drew McAllister intercepted Barkley while cornerback Torin Harris intercepted Kessler.

Closed practice?

The scrimmage was not quite closed to the public after all. USC invited donors, booster-group members, season-ticket holders and students to the workout. Is that against NCAA rules that ban the public from most workouts?

USC's compliance office released a statement Sunday: "We outlined and discussed our monitoring and security procedures with the NCAA's Committee on Infractions; and, the Committee decided that the practice scrimmage, combined with our Game Day control measures, were consistent with the spirit and intent (of the rules)."

The university didn't say why it didn't just allow the general public to attend the workout.

 

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