Willie Mack Garza may have paid for recruiting services while at Tennessee. (Shotgun Spratling/Neon Tommy)

“All I can say on that is, the alleged incident I had no knowledge of, or knowledge of a relationship at all,” head coach Lane Kiffin said after practice. “I’ve always been committed, wherever we’ve been, to doing things the right way…so that’s all I’ve got on it.”

Kiffin was eager to turn the attention back onto his team, which is gearing up to stop the pass attack of Arizona’s Nick Foles this Saturday at the Coliseum.

T.J.’S TRIALS: After drawing three personal foul penalties last week against ASU, T.J. McDonald doesn’t plan to change the way he plays. 

“I’m not trying to hit anybody in the head, but the only way I know how to play this game is to be physical,” he said. “I’m not gonna change that, I’m gonna keep on being physical and making plays.”

Kiffin said there is no word from the Pac-12 on the plays (USC asked the front office for a ruling on two of the three tackles in question). 

ATTENTION DEFICIT: Quarterback Matt Barkley cited a “lack of focus” as the reason his team gave up four turnovers to the Sun Devils on Saturday. 

“[It’s] controlling the ball, making sure it’s ours at all times,” he said. “So, we’ll try to emphasize that more and more during the week.”

Lack of third-down conversions also contributed to his team’s loss, Barkley said. He called their failure to successfully convert last week “horrific,” and said third-and-long situations need particular attention. 

INJURY REPORT: CB Torin Harris, LB Lamar Dawson, LT Matt Kalil, RB Amir Carlisle and TE Christian Thomas did not practice today. Kiffin said he expects and hopes they’ll return this week.

_____________________

Reach Kate by email, or follow her on Twitter.