ESPN College Football

It's rare for one team to be completely dominant on both sides of the ball. Usually, one side is weaker than the other. More often than not, it's the teams that can strike a balance that find themselves in the national championship discussion.

Brian Fremeau at Football Outsiders examined this very idea to determine which teams in college football were the most "unbalanced."

Cracking his top five were the USC Trojans, who Fremeau says could use a little shoring up on defense to match what expects to be a high-powered offense.

The Trojans forced three-and-outs on 33 percent of opponent drives last year, the 70th-best rate nationally and the worst rate in their past five seasons. USC had one of the most inconsistent defenses too and have been plagued by inopportune gaffes at crunch time on several occasions under Lane Kiffin. The Trojans might be Pac-12 favorites heading into the fall and their offense could carry them there regardless, but they won't be national champions without improving on defense.

As Fremeau also points out in the article, USC's few losses of late can usually be aimed at the defense. But this isn't exactly a shocking revelation for Kiffin. Despite returning his entire back seven next season (plus cornerback Torin Harris returning from injury makes eight), Kiffin recently said that his team has to do better at stopping the pass.

"We've got to get better at pass defense," Kiffin said last month in a Q&A. "You look at our numbers two years ago, they were terrible. We've improved a little bit. But we still have a long ways to go in pass defense. We were good against the run last year. We improved in the red zone. But we've got to do a better job against the pass."

Last season the Trojans ranked fourth in the conference in total defense (374.8 yards per game), second in rush defense (111.4) and ninth in pass defense (263.3).

USC head coach Lane Kiffin enters the spring with an abundance of talent on both sides of the ball and likely a lofty preseason ranking to back it up. Kiffin took a few minutes to chat about this year's recruiting class, the few holes on offense and defense that have to be filled and what he can do to cut down on quarterback-center exchange fumbles.

Here's part one of the Q&A.

Looking at the defense, you have the entire back seven coming back. Everyone talks about offense in this conference, but you have to be able to play defense. What's the next step for them as a unit?

Lane Kiffin: We've got to get better at pass defense. You look at our numbers two years ago, they were terrible. We've improved a little bit. But we still have a long ways to go in pass defense. We were good against the run last year. We improved in the red zone. But we've got to do a better job against the pass. This conference is so good. So many good quarterbacks and receivers, you can't just stop the run in this conference so we have to improve there. It's exciting to have the whole back seven back -- we actually even have Torin Harris coming back. I almost feel like it's the back eight. Torin Harris was our starting corner and was playing as well as anybody prior to losing him for the season.

Not everyone understands just how important a really good fullback is. How much will Rhett Ellison be missed?

LK: Really, I think outside of Matt Kalil, we don't lose very much except for one person. Everyone is really back except for Matt -- obviously a talented player and a top-five pick. And Rhett. Now he won't be that high of a draft pick, but he was so valuable on special teams and for us as a fullback. He played tight end, too. He gave defenses a lot of problems by not knowing where in the huddle he's going to line up and what formation we're going to end up in.

Speaking of Matt, is that left tackle spot the marquee position battle to keep an eye on in the spring?

LK: We don't know exactly how it's going to work. We're going to let Kevin Graf and Aundrey Walker, right now our top two tackles, both play right and left and see how it goes early on.

How big of an adjustment is it for Kevin to make the move from right to left?

LK: He used to play left tackle when he was younger so that helps. There is an adjustment period. It's fortunate we're looking at it in the spring and don't have to wait until the fall.

On the defensive line, do you move Wes Horton or Devon Kennard to the opposite side to replace Nick Perry, or do you fill that slot with someone else and keep depth?

LK: We're looking at a couple of things. Probably leaning toward playing Wes at right and Devon at left. But we'll figure it out this spring.

Defensive line is the spot where it seems you have the most holes. Is this an opportunity for some of the pups to come in and start, or would you rather defer to experience?

LK: What's good is you look at the 30 guys we signed a year ago, there were some guys that could have helped us that we let redshirt, so that would divide that class of 30 and knock some of those guys back into this next class. A number of those guys were defensive linemen. What's good is those guys have been in our program a year already. Even though they haven't played, it's like they are in this class right here with a year under their belt.

USC receiver Robert Woods, Washington cornerback Desmond Trufant and kicker Erik Folk have been named Pac-12 Players of the Week.

Woods, a sophomore from Carson, Calif., caught 17 passes for 177 yards in No. 25 USC’s season-opening home win against Minnesota. The 17 receptions broke Johnnie Morton’s school mark of 15 (set in 1993). It was the second-most receptions in a game by a Pac-12 receiver (2 shy of the record). Woods hauled in three touchdowns (7, 43 and 2 yards, all in the first half) to tie a school game record. He also returned three kickoffs for 73 yards. He had 11 grabs for 115 yards in the first half.

Trufant, a junior from Tacoma, Wash., led both teams with a career-high 11 tackles in the Huskies' 30-27 win against reigning NCAA FCS champion Eastern Washington. Trufant also had perhaps the most important play of the game as he intercepted a pass in the end zone with just 29 seconds remaining in the final quarter. Additionally, Trufant forced a fumble that was recovered by the UW in the first quarter.

Folk, a senior from Woodland Hills, Calif., was a 3-for-3 on field goals for the Huskies. All three of Folks field goals came from at least 40 yards, as he hit from 53, 47 and 40 yards. His 53-yarder was just a yard shy of his career best.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week honors were quarterbacks Nick Foles of Arizona, Brock Osweiler of Arizona State, Andrew Luck of Stanford, and Marshall Lobbestael of Washington State; running backs Malcolm Agnew of Oregon State, John White of Utah and Chris Polk of Washington; wide receivers Marvin Jones of California and Paul Richardson of Colorado; and tight end Joseph Fauria of UCLA. Also nominated on defense were defensive end C.J. Parish of Arizona, linebackers Vontaze Burfict of Arizona State, Mychal Kendricks of California, Shayne Skov of Stanford, Brian Blechen of Utah and Alex Hoffman-Ellis of Washington State; and cornerback Torin Harris of USC. Also nominated for special teams play were returner Jamal Miles of Arizona State, tackle Matt Kalil of USC and place kickers Jordan Williamson of Stanford and Coleman Petersen of Utah.

Spring is supposed to be a time of renewal and hope, but USC coach Lane Kiffin seemed to be suffering a prolonged case of the winter blahs Monday. And for good reason. He said 20 players -- many of them projected starters or key contributors -- won't be available for full-contact work when the Trojans begin spring practices Tuesday.

Rebirth and renewal of the Trojan empire after a middling 8-5 finish in 2010? Humbug.

"There's too many questions," Kiffin said. "I think it would be a little tough to say this team is better than last year."

Most of these injuries are not expected to be issues when preseason practices begin in August. But you never know. And there were some troubling additions to the already long injury list we noted last week, including linebacker Chris Galippo, whose back is giving him trouble again. Toss in injuries to Devon Kennard (hip) and Shane Horton (hip), and none of the projected starting linebackers are ready to practice. In fact, when you toss in an injury to backup Ross Cumming, the only available linebacker from last year's depth chart is redshirt freshman Will Andrew.

Few position groups have been spared the injury bug. Defensive linemen are out: end Armond Armstead, tackle Christian Tupou and end Wes Horton. Offensive linemen are out: Khaled Holmes, tackle Kevin Graf and center Abe Markowitz. Defensive backs are out: safety Drew McAllister and cornerbacks T.J. Bryant and Torin Harris. And a receiver is out: Kyle Prater.

So while, officially, 13 starters are back -- 6 on offense; 7 on defense; no specialists -- there will be plenty of opportunities for young players to shine. Of the 86 players on the spring roster (that includes walk-ons), just 38 saw action in 2010 and 47 have never taken a college snap, so there will be a bit of "Hello, my name is..." this spring. Just 14 returning Trojans have started at least 10 games.

Further, because of the lack of bodies -- particularly on the lines -- Kiffin said that much of the work this spring will be 7 on 7 -- "You're not going to be able to have normal practices," he said.

What's Kiffin's chief concern? The offensive line, which he calls "a gigantic issue."

There is some good news in terms of continuity on Kiffin's coaching staff. The only change is the departure of receivers coach John Morton, who joined Jim Harbaugh's staff with the San Francisco 49ers. He was replaced by Ted Gilmore, who was at Nebraska last year.

The spring game is April 23 in the Coliseum.

Some other notes:

Spread? Kiffin talked last year about adopting some spread elements to his offense going forward, but that was more about one-back, four receiver sets, not a spread-option similar to what Oregon runs. The reasoning is largely about personnel. The Trojans lose the versatile Stanley Havili -- perhaps the best fullback in the nation -- and have little experience ready to step in at the position. And there's lots of intriguing young talent at receiver.

Position changes: Redshirt freshman Dion Bailey moved to linebacker from safety. Robert Woods takes over at "Z" receiver -- flanker -- the position Ronald Johnson played last season.

Positions to watch: Obviously, injuries all over the depth chart mean youngsters will get plenty of reps this spring, which means plenty of opportunities to impress. Here are some spots Kiffin made specific note of, other than the injury-riddled lines:

• Tight end: Rhett Ellison is back, but what will be the pecking order between Xavier Grimble, Randall Telfer and Christian Thomas? The Trojans would like to run more two tight end sets.
• Running back: Marc Tyler is the returning veteran, but he struggles to stay healthy. What will the pecking order end up between Dillon Baxter, Curtis McNeal and D.J. Morgan?
• Backup QB: Matt Barkley is the starter (duh), but with the departure of Mitch Mustain, who's his backup? Redshirt freshman Jesse Scroggins would seem to have an inside track, but touted true freshmen Cody Kessler and Max Wittek will both participate in spring practices.
• Linebacker: Great opportunity for guys to catch their coaches eyes: Bailey, Andrew, Dallas Kelly, Marquis Simmons, Simione Vehikite, Hayes Pullard, etc.

What about Barkley? Barkley, a true junior, took a step forward last season as a second-year starter, but he still missed too many throws, 12 of which ended up as interceptions. Kiffin said he expects Barkley's next step to be playing at a consistently elite level. "He's competing against the best in the country," Kiffin said. "He's competing against the Andrew Lucks. He's got to take that mindset in every practice."

What about that NCAA appeal? On Saturday, it will be nine weeks since USC president Max Nikias, athletic director Pat Haden and four other university representatives spent more than four hours talking with the NCAA infractions appeals committee in Indianapolis. Most appeals take four to eight weeks. Ah, but nothing in the USC case has moved quickly. Kiffin said he had no idea when USC would learn if the appeals committee will reduce the penalties that appear more draconian by the day, as other schools end up in headlines about alleged rules violations that appear far worse than the findings against USC.

Michael Lev of the Orange County Register provides an injury update for USC, and it ain't pretty: 12 players who are either projected starters or likely contributors are expected to be out or limited when spring practices start on March 22.

Obviously, as Lev points out, it's premature to panic because sitting out spring is often about being healthy in the fall.

Still, it's quite a list (see link for details): WR Kyle Prater, OL Khaled Holmes, OT Kevin Graf, C Abe Markowitz, DE Wes Horton, DL Armond Armstead, DT Christian Tupou, MLB Devon Kennard, OLB Shane Horton, S Drew McAllister and CBs T.J. Bryant and Torin Harris.

Of particularly concern: Three offensive linemen and eight defenders are out.

The Trojans lack depth on their offensive line, which must replace three starters as well as part-time starter Butch Lewis. Now it appears that left tackle Matt Kalil will be the only full-go returning starter available this spring.

Meanwhile, the defense is looking to bounce back from a sub-par year under coordinator Monte Kiffin. While injuries to veterans will allow younger players to see more action, there's something to be said for the veterans being available to more fully digest the elder Kiffin's schemes during spring when there's more time to teach.

There have been two narrative threads for Lane Kiffin over the past year or so. The first includes indignant forehead slaps and raised voices. The second isn't exactly laudatory. It's just more measured.

The first amounts to this: He's a good-for-nothing, spoiled brat who's never done anything. He's a loudmouth who plays free-and-easy with the rules and bailed on his fans and players at Tennessee after just one year.

The second: Well, his early career certainly has been interesting. But let's wait and see if he can actually coach.

You've, of course, read this before. Many times.

One of these narrative threads, however, will gain substantive traction over the coming weeks -- starting tonight at Hawaii -- as Kiffin begins what by any standard will be a difficult coaching assignment: Leading USC through severe NCAA sanctions that include a two-year postseason ban and a reduction of 30 scholarships over three years.

Other than a taking a shot at UCLA on national signing day last February -- which came off as a clumsy case of sour grapes -- Kiffin has mostly been focused and businesslike. And honest. When reporters ask him questions, he seems to say exactly what he thinks.

For example: Coach, what's your team going to look like against Hawaii?

"There are a lot of questions in everyone's mind, including mine as a head coach," he said. "How good are we going to be? We haven't played together or coached together with this team. With the limited contact and practices, it will be interesting."

He's not been afraid to discipline players. He's been quick to stop lackadaisical practices and demand a better effort. There's a sense that the circus that was USC has left town with the departure of Pete Carroll.

But the biggest changes are on the depth chart. Middle linebacker Chris Galippo, a returning starter, was beaten out by Devon Kennard. Allen Bradford had a firm grip on the starting job at tailback until he didn't: Marc Tyler emerged from whatever-happened-to-him? status to earn the nod. A group of veterans are looking up at true freshman receiver Robert Woods on the depth chart. Same at one cornerback spot, where true freshman Nickell Robey separated himself from Torin Harris.

"I tell our players all the time: if they don't like where they are on the depth chart, play better," Kiffin said. "We're not going to be stubborn and try to prove ourselves right because we name the guy a starter. We're going to evaluate that every week."

Early in the Carroll Era, USC was celebrated for its culture of competition. Seniority didn't matter. If a true freshman was better, he was going to play. That seemed to fade late in the Carroll Era, the most obvious example being the seemingly privileged status given to running back Joe McKnight, who rarely looked like the Trojans' best running back in large part because he spent many practices chilling on a golf cart because of some minor injury.

But Kiffin's attitude about some of the depth-chart surprises is notable: He doesn't strike a self-serving, "There's a new sheriff in town" pose.

"It's not done on purpose," he said. "If the same guys who ended last year [as starters] were the best guys at this point, they would still be at the top. We have always said we're going to play the best players regardless of age, regardless of recruiting rankings, regardless of where they are from. What was done before we got here doesn't mean anything to us. We've judged our guys only from the first day we've gotten here."

Which is the right message. That used to be the "USC way" and it was a big reason hot shot recruits wanted to go to USC: The opportunity to play immediately if they were good enough.

Yet this is a transitional USC. The Trojans are going to trot out a starting 22 tonight that could play with just about anybody. But the depth isn't there, and scholarship sanctions are going to make depth a bigger issue over the next four or five seasons.

Kiffin's immediate challenge is keeping his team motivated. One approach is obvious: It's us against the world. Still, Kiffin said that won't be the central theme of his locker room speeches.

"I get the sense they have that on their own," he said. "I've not pushed that. They've been through a long off-season. As I said before, the wrong people are being penalized. These players weren't even here when all that [Reggie Bush] stuff happened. They can only worry about what they can control. And that's going out and playing the best that they can each and every week."

And at this jumping-off point, Kiffin's reputation can start to re-write itself in ink instead of pencil.

A good example of new wait-and-see approach? Kiffin only fielded a couple of questions on the Pac-10 coaches teleconference on Tuesday. Then crickets. A shocked moderator told him no one had anything else to ask of him.

Said Kiffin, "That's a first."

The looking back is done. The present is ready to be measured.

Lane Kiffin isn't afraid to shake things up. Just consider what appears to be happening on USC's depth chart.

It appears that sophomore Devon Kennard has beaten out junior Chris Galippo, a returning starter, at middle linebacker. It was one of the hottest competitions of spring practices and fall camp after Kennard was moved from outside linebacker to challenge Galippo, who started strongly in 2009 but faded late.

And that's not all.

Junior Marc Tyler, a hyped recruit in 2006 whose career has been riddled by injuries, is running as the first-team tailback. Further, two freshmen -- receiver Robert Woods and cornerback Nickell Robey -- also appear to have won starting jobs.

The official depth chart in advance of the opener at Hawaii on Sept. 2 won't be released until Saturday.

Tyler's ascension is due in part to senior Allen Bradford, No. 1 at tailback after spring practices, missing action with a bruised knee. Bradford has returned to practice, so the situation may be a 1A and 1B at this point.

Woods, widely regarded as the nation's top high school receiver last year, will start opposite senior Ronald Johnson. He's eclipsed sophomore Brice Butler for the starting nod.

Robey has beaten out redshirt freshman Torin Harris.

The good news for all those big-name Pac-10 quarterbacks? Every conference team has questions at cornerback.

And, for the first time in Pac-10 blog history, no one earns a "Great shape" tag.

Only one cornerback who earned All-Pac-honors is back: Arizona's second-teamer Trevin Wade. Only one other returning corner, Washington's Desmond Trufant, even earned honorable mention.

Three teams welcome back both starting corners from 2009: Oregon, Stanford and Washington. But the Ducks have moved Javes Lewis to rover, and a pair of true freshmen -- Terrance Mitchell and Avery Patterson -- are battling for the starting job opposite Talmadge Jackson. Stanford and Washington? They ranked eighth and ninth in the conference in pass efficiency defense last season.

USC and Arizona State are replacing both starting cornerbacks, but both actually look fairly strong at the position with plenty of returning experience and athleticism.

A number of teams might end up pretty good at the position. But no one looks like a sure-thing during the preseason. (Heck, we thought California was a sure thing in 2009 and things didn't exactly go according to plan).

So how do things stack up?

Great shape

• No one.

Good shape

• Arizona: Wade is an All-American candidate, and Marcus Benjamin showed he can play with a good performance against USC in 2009. And Mike Stoops always has good cornerbacks, so we won't dwell on the questionable depth.
• Oregon: Probably not a lot of worry here for the Ducks. Injuries in 2009 earned young players experience, and Oregon did rank third in the Pac-10 in pass efficiency defense. Still, it remains uncertain who will start opposite Jackson, with the freshmen outplaying the more experienced Cliff Harris and Anthony Gildon during the spring.
• Arizona State: On the one hand, both starters are gone from a unit that ranked second in the conference in pass efficiency defense. On the other, Omar Bolden would have been a starter if he didn't get hurt, and Deveron Carr, Osahon Irabor and LeQuan Lewis give the Sun Devils a nice mix of talent and experience.
• USC: Shareece Wright was academically ineligible last season, but he might end up first-team All-Pac-10. He might, in fact, be the conference's best cover cornerback. Torin Harris and T.J. Bryant are battling for the other spot in a secondary replacing all four 2009 starters.
• Washington: Trufant is an up-and-comer, Quinton Richardson is experienced, and backups Vonzell McDowell and Adam Long have starting experience, so the Huskies should be much improved here in 2010. The operative word, though, is "should."
• UCLA: It isn't easy to replace an Alterraun Verner. Sheldon Price returns at left cornerback after a good freshman season as a starter, and Aaron Hester has potential on the opposite side. Undersized junior Courtney Viney is an experienced third option.
• Oregon State: James Dockery is solid and new starter Brandon Hardin is big -- 6-2, 215 pounds. There's respectable depth. But the Beavers gave up 23 touchdown passes in 2009, tied for the most in the conference. Of course, the Beavers cornerbacks suffered last season because of an anemic pass rush. That might change in 2010.

We'll see

• Stanford: If the Cardinal is going to take another step forward, it must get better in pass coverage. Three players who started last seaon are back: Richard Sherman (who's a sure-thing at left corner), Corey Gatewood and Johnson Bademosi. But opponents completed 63 percent of their passes with 23 touchdowns against those guys. Might redshirt freshman Terrence Brown make a move?
• California: Syd'Quan Thompson is gone; is Darian Hagan back? As in the 2008 version, not the one who lost his job and got buried on the depth chart in 2009. After being touted as one of the best secondaries in the country, the Bears finished 111th in the nation in pass defense in 2009. Bryant Nnabufie, who started four games in 2009, is listed No. 1 opposite Hagan, but Josh Hill (a five-game starter) and Marc Anthony and redshirt freshman Steve Williams are in the mix.
• Washington State: The Cougars feel pretty good about junior Aire Justin and sophomore Daniel Simmons, who was the defense's best cover corner before he got hurt midway through last season. But it's hard to ignore that the Cougars ranked 112th in the nation in pass efficiency defense with opponents completing nearly 67 percent -- 67 percent! -- of their passes.

At what position is the Pac-10 deep? At what position in the Pac-10 thin? Here's the second of three parts taking a look at just that.

(By the way, some of you wondered about QB. The Pac-10 is, without question, the nation's deepest conference in terms of quarterbacks -- and it would have been deeper if not for a certain Duck making a very, very poor decision. But that's so obvious and been written about so much that we're not including it in this three-part package).

Deep: Running back

Why is it deep? Six of the top-10 running backs from 2009 are back, and four of them rushed for more than 950 yards. Eight teams welcome back a player who qualifies as a starter or at least an experienced veteran. Only Arizona State and Stanford, which is replacing Heisman Trophy runnerup Toby Gerhart, are uncertain at the position. But it's not just about starters. There's depth. Most teams can point to one or more solid backups, not to mention there are a number of elite incoming freshmen recruits expected to immediately contribute.

The big names: Start with Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers, the conference's top Heisman Trophy candidate, and Oregon's LaMichael James, who has All-American potential. They combined for just under 3,000 yards and 35 TDs in 2009. Then there's Washington's Chris Polk (1,113 yards rushing), California's Shane Vereen (952 yards, 12 TDs) and Arizona's Nic Grigsby, who rushed for 1,153 yards in 2008. The Wildcats, in fact, have their top four rushers back, including Keola Antolin, who's rushed for over 1,100 yards and 14 TDs over the past two seasons. USC and UCLA are both experienced in the backfield and have highly rated freshmen recruits who figure to be in the mix, particularly USC's Dillon Baxter, who was spectacular this spring. Washington State has three of its top four rushers back.

Thin: Cornerback

Why is it thin? Three of the four All-Pac-10 cornerbacks are gone: UCLA's Alterraun Verner, California's Syd'Quan Thompson and USC's Kevin Thomas. Each of them were NFL draft picks. Only second-teamer Trevin Wade of Arizona returns. In fact, only one returning CB even earned honorable mention all-conference recognition (Washington's Desmond Trufant). Only Oregon, Stanford and Washington welcome back both starting CBs from 2009, and each of them is hardly settled at the position after spring practices. Arizona State and USC are replacing both corners, though the return of Omar Bolden from injury and Shareece Wright from academic ineligibility should bolster the Sun Devils and Trojans, respectively.

Fill the void? Wright might turn out to be the conference's best cover corner and a top NFL draft pick. Wade had five interceptions last year and could earn national attention. Bolden had a great spring after missing last season with an injury and suffering through a disappointing sophomore year. Trufant, UCLA's Sheldon Price, USC's Torin Harris and Oregon's Cliff Harris are youngsters who might break through. Oregon's Talmadge Jackson and Oregon State's James Dockery are veterans who could take the next step.

Eighth in a series taking a look at top position competitions this fall.

USC: Cornerback (Much like Oregon's quarterback competition, the linebacker competition between Chris Galippo and Devon Kennard has been well covered).

Why the competition? The Trojans are replacing all four starters in their secondary, but one returning cornerback, Shareece Wright, who was academically ineligible last year, might be the best cover guy in the Pac-10. That means whoever wins the job opposite him will see a lot of action.

Candidates: RFr Torin Harris (6-foot-1, 175), junior T.J. Bryant (6-0, 180), sophomore Brian Baucham (5-11, 180)

The skinny: Harris is the least experienced -- both Bryant and Baucham played in 2009 -- but he probably leads the competition after being the most consistent during spring practices. He and Bryant were separated by an "OR" on the post-spring depth chart, meaning the competition remains unsettled, though that might only be because Harris got hurt and missed some practice time. Bryant played in 13 games in 2009 and recorded 22 tackles with three pass breakups. Baucham played in five games last fall but missed action after being involved in a serious motorcycle accident. He also missed all of spring practice after toe surgery, so the new staff hasn't seen what he can do.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Just because USC has a bye this week doesn't mean the Trojans didn't play.

And an early-morning, 56-play scrimmage Friday probably won't help hush the folks who keep wondering why No. 3 quarterback Mitch Mustain hasn't been given a chance to play.

Mustain completed 10 of 12 passes for 141 yards with a pair of TD passes during the workout.

The big news is one touchdown pass went to receiver Ronald Johnson, who is seeing his first action since breaking his collarbone during the preseason.

That indicates that the Trojans best downfield threat should play at Notre Dame on Oct. 17, though the scrimmage didn't feature live tackling and the players weren't in full pads.

Other highlights of the scrimmage included freshman cornerback Torin Harris returning an interception 100 yards for a score. Harris also blocked a field goal, returned a kickoff 45 yards and had two tackles

Receiver Brice Butler caught a 19-yard scoring toss from quarterback Matt Barkley, who was 11-of-18 overall for 148 yards.

The scrimmage was conducted at dawn so USC’s coaches could spend the rest of the day and weekend on the road recruiting.