USC Football Fall Camp: Two-Man QB System For Season Opener
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Lane Kiffin addresses the media after Sunday's practice. (Max Meyer/Neon Tommy)
"We won't alternative series," Kiffin said. As for as exact rotations, that's not done yet." And when asked if he anticipated both quarterbacks playing assuming the two are healthy and ready to play, Kiffin responded: "I anticipate that happening."
While Wittek started two games last season after four-year starter Matt Barkley went down with a shoulder injury against UCLA, throwing for two interceptions and five interceptions, Kessler shined in April's spring game and established a competition for the starting gig. True freshman Max Browne also competed for the spot, but was out of the race by the second week of fall camp.
Kiffin said he'll name a starter for the opener once the team arrives in Hawaii (they fly out Tuesday evening). Four years ago, Barkley was named the starter on August 28, although the Trojans' first game that year wasn't until September 5. If Kiffin actually knows his starter already, he doesn't feel inclined to share any secrets. If he doesn't, then it looks like he and the coaching staff will be burning the midnight oil watching tape as their Hawaiian "vacation" prep.
Clancy's Calling
New defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast joins the team after spending last year at Cal, and installed his 5-2 system upon arrival. The scheme relies on quick instincts, but what Pendergast stressed the most on Sunday was simple. "I want good communication," he said. "We're a communication-oriented defense, verbally or through hand signals, and we want good communication out there."
Pendergast also confirmed that he'll be on the field calling plays this fall rather than watching from the skybox. "I like to be able to get the calls in quickly," he said. "I don't like to have (the calls) go through anybody, so if I can see if they're going no-huddle or they're speeding, I don't have to call it down." So for the Trojans' new defense, it looks like communication on the field and the sidelines is paramount.
Too Much Of A Good Thing?
The QB is still unsettled, but it also looks like the entire secondary could fluctuate from play to play, as no starting spots are guaranteed according to Pendergast. "We're still switching out 1s and 2s and seeing how things go," freshman safety Su'a Cravens said following practice. "(Pendergast) said after today, there's still no depth chart."
In practice, Kiffin mentioned that Kevon Seymour, Anthony Brown and Torin Harris are competing for time at the two cornerback spots. At safety, the competition looks like it will be more of a round robin. Cravens, Josh Shaw, Demetrius Wright and Dion Bailey look to be carving out most of the time at the two spots, but Cravens also mentioned Leon McQuay III and Gerald Bowman as teammates expected to see time at the spot.
"I didn't come to USC to sit on the bench. I expected to fight for a starting job, and there's competition at every position you play," Cravens said. And it's fair to guess that the other five guys competing for a spot echo that mentality.
Injury Notes
*When asked if anyone will definitely miss the opener against Hawaii, Kiffin replied "Steven Mitchell and George Farmer." Farmer tore his ACL and MCL in April, while Mitchell suffered a knee injury in June during summer workouts. Both have been declared out for the season.
*Right guard John Martinez did not practice and had his foot in a boot. He is currently competing with former left tackle Aundrey Walker for the starting right guard spot.
*With all the injuries, Kiffin said Sunday's practice was easy on the physicality. "(It was) very limited on the hitting today, we've done a lot of that," Kiffin said. "We feel good about where our team is at from a physical standpoint."
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