Quick thoughts on USC's first scrimmage

USC held their first full scrimmage yesterday in the Coliseum. It was a beautiful day and a good one on defense. Offense? Not so much.

The lone touchdown pass came from Garrett Green, a wide receiver filling in as a backup quarterback while Mark Sanchez is injured. Green hasn't taken any snaps behind center in his college career, but did toss a touchdown during a trick play in this year's Rose Bowl. That's one more throw than any of the healthy quarterbacks have made at USC. Mitch Mustain, whom most expect to start against Virginia, threw an interception in the scrimmage, and Aaron Corp fumbled two snaps.

Sanchez was carrying a single crutch but he wasn't using it very much. After practice he looked pretty mobile as he hustled to a physical therapy appointment. A future Trojan quarterback, high school phenom Matt Barkley, was watching on the sidelines.

A common refrain among spectators and members of the press was that the Coliseum's grass field looked immaculate. More than one observer asked if it was artificial turf. On the flip side, there's still some concern that USC's atmosphere music, pumped in through speakers on the sideline, isn't appropriate for the younger kids in the audience.

For more on the scrimmage:

• Story from the L.A. Times
• Recap and stats from USC
• Photo gallery from USC Rips It

USC will scrimmage twice more in the Coliseum, on Aug. 16 (4 p.m.) and 21 (3:30 p.m.)

Comments

[bob]

You know, much has been *unsaid* about Garrett Green from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. This young man lead his high school to 3 CIF championships and popularized the shotgun n run formation that many high schools are using today. Look at his bio. Garrett Green deserves to be at the very least #2 if not #1. Garrett Green is fast and is one helluva intelligent guy to boot. Give some more snaps to GG!

NHDS Alum 89