Monday, March 18, 2013

USC FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Trojans still seek favorite at quarterback

USC finished Week 2 of spring practice Saturday, and there is little chance the Trojans will name a starting quarterback soon.

The presumed front-runner, sophomore Max Wittek, did not practice because of a sprained knee and sophomore

Cody Kessler continued to put up good stats in Saturday's scrimmage. Freshman Max Browne remains behind them but took some baby steps toward pushing his older rivals.

"I don't think (we will name a starter during the spring) but you never know," coach Lane Kiffin said Saturday. "It will answer itself."

Kessler completed 13 of 19 passes for 161 yards during Saturday's scrimmage at the Coliseum, including a 74-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nelson Agholor after cornerback Torin Harris slipped.

Browne completed 6 of 9 passes for 69 yards, including 52 on a deep pass to freshman Darreus Rogers.

"(Kessler) did great," Kiffin said. "He's a gamer. He makes plays."

Kessler said he is ready to be a leader after two years on the sideline.

"Matt (Barkley) is gone, Max and I are the older guys now," he said.

Browne performed better than in his first scrimmage last weekend and enjoyed two good practices after throwing two interceptions Tuesday.

"You're going to make mistakes," Kiffin said. "He's very, very poised. He's answering questions like he's been there for years."

Injury report

Tailback Silas Redd will miss the rest of the spring after tearing the meniscus in

his knee. Offensive tackle Chad Wheeler is out because of a tear of a posterior cruciate knee ligament. Tight end Xavier Grimble might not return after he broke a rib during Thursday's practice.

Safety Su'a Cravens (undisclosed) also did not practice and fullback Soma Vainuku injured his knee during the scrimmage. Rogers injured his shoulder and left the scrimmage.

Tailback Justin Davis missed the scrimmage after he broke his finger Thursday. Wide receiver George Farmer, who injured his shoulder Thursday, returned to practice Saturday.

"We're really beat up," Kiffin said, "with the changing philosophy of how we're practicing. We're getting more physical, but you can see why we didn't practice this way."

The key question is whether Kiffin would make practices less physical during the season if he experienced all of these injuries. The likely answer is yes.

Bigelow emerges

Defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow has struggled at times as he makes the transition to college football from being in high school just three months ago. But Bigelow had two sacks during the scrimmage.

"I haven't been to my full potential since I've been out here," Bigelow said. "That play was a glimpse of what I am really capable of."

Martin surprises at center

Guard Marcus Martin impressed Kiffin while playing center this week and might start next season. Martin and Max Tuerk are playing the position and will start regardless of who wins the center job.

Tuerk can play all five positions on the offensive line and Martin can play guard and center.

Spring break

USC is off this week because the university is on spring break.

Source: http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/ci_22808678/usc-football-notebook-trojans-still-seek-favorite-at?source=rss

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