Spread-option offense

“We’ll be running it a lot this year,” said running back Tre Madden when asked about the spread-option offense. USC ran multiple variations of it during practice on Tuesday, including a steady dose of the

zone-read option, a play in which the quarterback has the option to hand the ball off to the running back, keep it and run it himself, or throw the ball to a wide receiver in the flat. All of these decisions are the quarterback's responsibility to make, depending on the defensive alignment and behavior post-snap. “There will usually be three options [for the quarterback to make] during every play [we line up for a shotgun run],” said Madden. This option offense coupled with the no-huddle mentality will make it hard for defenses to adjust to whatever look USC throws at them.

Kessler and Browne look about even, skill-wise

Kessler continued to get the first team reps, but Max Browne didn’t look too shabby himself, and was on the throwing end of what I’m deeming the play of the day: an 80-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Nelson Agholor. Both struggled on a corner route concept drill early in practice, and finding the right amount of touch on intermediate passes looks like an area in which they can both stand to improve. Left-handed quarterback Jalen Greene also had a solid day, and impressed with his quick release and accuracy on short passes.

Tre Madden

Madden had a big day, looking shifty and explosive on a number of runs out of the shotgun, where he told me he enjoys lining up because it enables him to see the field better. But perhaps just as importantly, Madden looked more than solid in the pass protection drills in which he was asked to block

a blitzing linebacker one-on-one. Pass protection skill is essential for any running back who wants a lead role, and could make the difference between who starts and who doesn’t for USC come Fall.

Receiving options stepping up?

Tight end Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick and wide receiver George Katri stood out on Tuesday. Cope-Fitzpatrick is big and fast, and looks like he has some nice run-after-catch ability. Katrib stood out because of some impressive catches he made, and was the receiving option on many of the aforementioned spread-option plays. If he stays in the starting lineup, he looks like a reliable option who should get plenty of opportunities.

No defense?

Sorry, the offense was all the rage today. The defense as a whole did look a step slow at times, probably due to the intense heat Tuesday afternoon. Also, Leonard Williams and Su’a Cravens both sat out practice.

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