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USC Football Notebook: Robey, McDonald Secondary Stalwarts

Scott Enyeart |
October 1, 2012 | 3:06 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Though he received less attention than Matt Barkley, T.J. McDonald also stayed for one more year -- and has had a greater impact (Shotgun Spratling/NT).
Though he received less attention than Matt Barkley, T.J. McDonald also stayed for one more year -- and has had a greater impact (Shotgun Spratling/NT).
The Trojans continued their abnormal practice schedule on Monday as they prepared for Thursday’s showdown with the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City on Thursday.

With today being a day that defensive players and coaches were made available, it is no surprise that much of Lane Kiffin’s presser centered around the defense.

Much of the talk, specifically, focused on the corner spot opposite of Nickell Robey. Robey has been solid in his three years as a starter, so teams tend to throw away from him, but without stability on the other side of the field, Robey is hardly being thrown at. “They just don’t throw at him,” Kiffin said.

When USC took on Utah last year, it was the first conference game for the Utes as a member of the Pac-12. When Utah joined the league, much of the discussion surrounded around whether they could face such a high level of competition week-in and week-out. Now, entering their second year, Kiffin says much of the talk is overblown.

“I think they’ve done well, I think that’s talked about too much,” Kiffin said. “If there’s anything to it, it would be a conversation for late in the year, when you’ve had more competitive, more physical games as you get to your eighth and ninth conference games of the year.”

One player who has stood out on defense for USC this year has been T.J. McDonald. T.J. was the less-celebrated player who decided to return for his senior year, but at this point in the season, is arguably having the greater impact.

McDonald on the atmosphere in Salt Lake for Thursday night’s national broadcast: “I think it’s gonna be electric, I know it’s gonna be loud,” McDonald said. “We’re excited too, Thursday night football…just wanna get out there and put on a show.”

On Utah’s offense: “They got a few receivers that can go up and get it. John White, he’s a good running back, so we gotta contain him, and make sure that we rally up and tackle him when we get our chances,” McDonald said.

 

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