The Trojans got a taste of two-a-days on Saturday with a practice in the morning and another in the afternoon, the latter of which was dominated by running back play. At the end of the long day, instead of the anticipated film study, the players were treated to a private showing of “Rush Hour III” on campus. Continue reading for a roundup of the local media’s coverage of a long day with the Trojans.

Who looked good

• Although 6′5″ Patrick Turner and 6′4″ David Ausberry both fit the role of the Trojans’ “X” position (the tall WR), because QB John David Booty has felt comfortable throwing to each so frequently thus far in camp, Pete Carroll said he might start both of them. To achieve this, the staff has asked the willing Turner to take reps at different positions which will result in greater flexibility.  Turner had the morning session’s prettiest reception, leaping over Kevin Ellison and Cary Harris for the catch.
• Rivals reports that RB Stafon Johnson continues to impress. Carroll, on the best run of the day in the afternoon session, noted, “Johnson made a spectacular run today. The first move was great and then the second move broke him into the clear…I’m really excited about him.”
• RB Broderick Green received the most carries of any tailback in the afternoon session after sitting out the morning, and he made one highlight carry when he knocked LB Chris Galippo on his back en route to a long gain, impressing coach Pat Ruel. Carroll notes that Green’s first real look will be in Sunday’s scrimmage: “He’s shown some glimpses of the kind of body lean that a big back runs with that mas him effctive.” (Rivals) Emmanuel Moody also impressed with a long run from between the tackles featuring a double cut back.
• Freshman WR Ronald Johnson had another great day again Saturday with long gains and an opportunistic catch in traffic. According to Rivals, Carroll raved, “He’s fast, he’s tough; he’s got excellent hands. I think he’s going to be a factor on this year’s team.”
• After practice Carroll lauded freshmen linebackers Galippo and Malcolm Smith. Rivals cites the coach: “Those guys are both very instinctive football players that don’t have command of what we’re doing right now - they couldn’t at this time. But they both show up as really natural hitting guys.”
• David Buehler had his best practice Saturday morning, including making a 57 yard field goal and appearing comfortable on longer tries. The LA Times reports that Carroll is not opposed to splitting the kicking duties if one of the walk-ons (including Brad Smith who made 11 of 12 FG tries last season at Davisdon) is more accurate from short range.

Injuries and problems

• Sophomore backup QB Mark Sanchez sees Sunday’s scrimmage as likely “the closest to a real game situation I get this year.” Though he performed well on Saturday afternoon, he has struggled so far in camp, not an encouraging sign for someone who is, as Carroll states, “one snap away from having to run this program.” Carroll added, “He had a couple of bonehead plays we would never expect our quarterbacks to make and they rarely do…I thought it was out of character for him. He’s a championship football player. He came here to play and he’s ready to play and sometimes it makes him [angry]. He wants to play.” (LA Times)
• Scott Wolf reports that freshman DE Everson Griffen has become a polarizing figure with his teammates who “seem to either love him or feel something less than that.” Griffen apparently lacks the typical freshman jitters and his perceived cockiness has rubbed some of his teammates the wrong way. The coaching staff, on the other hand, was impressed by Griffen’s morning workout after he consistently got the better of LT Butch Lewis and later “sacked” Sanchez in drills.
• According to Rivals, the defense smothered the offense when Booty and Sanchez stepped into the shotgun formation, including an interception for touchdown by Kaluka Maiava resulting from a batted ball from Sanchez.
• WR Jamere Holland was again held out of practice but hopes to return to practice Monday. He suffered a concussion as a result of Thursday’s crowd-pleasing hit by S Will Harris.
• Freshman RB Marc Tyler is out indefinitely until doctors can assure the team that his surgically repaired ankle has healed properly.

Also of note

• Though Joe McKnight, Ronald Johnson and Brandon Carswell have fielded punts, Desmond Reed seems to have a lock on the top spot because, as Carroll knows, “he’s still, by far, the best catcher” and, as he told the LA Times, taking care of the football in that situation is the coach’s primary goal. C.J. Gable and Ronald Johnson fielded kickoffs in the morning practice.
• Wolf reports that USC will honor kicker Mario Danelo with his name on a banner above the tunnel in the Coliseum and on a goal post. The players will also don custom helmet stickers to honor their late teammate.
• The Trojans will scrimmage at 7:15 pm on Sunday night at the Coliseum, but this session will be closed to the public.

Sanchez is trying to remain positive (LA Times)
USC freshman end Griffen gains reputation (LA Daily News)
A Day for the Running Backs (Scout)
Saturday A.M. Practice Insider: Griffen excelling (Rivals, $)
Saturday’s P.M. Practice Insider: Freshman fling (Rivals, $)