With the vast array of injuries plaguing the Trojans, many members of the Trojan family are giving private thanks that USC is opening up at home tonight against a less-than-formidable Idaho team instead of matching up against a strong team on the road (i.e., Virginia Tech, Arkansas) as has been recent practice. Read on for a brief report from Friday’s walk-though and other notes.

• Friday’s practice consisted of an afternoon walk-through, which was closed to the public. The special teams units ran through various situations and contingency plans for about 15 minutes. The first-team offense matched-up against the service-team defense for 15 plays, followed by the first-team defense confronting the service-team offense for 15 plays. (USCRipsIt)
• After spraining his knee two weeks ago and taking several days off, freshman RB Joe McKnight had a busy week in preparation for Idaho, a game in which, according to Scott Wolf, he’ll likely be used for spot duty only, probably catching passes out of the backfield. McKnight clearly is not comfortable wearing his knee brace, having never had knee problems before this month, and he says “the brace limits me a little because I really can’t do hard cuts off my right leg.” The coaching staff is unlikely to truly open up the McKnight portion of the playbook until at least the Nebraska game.
• After sustaining a shoulder stinger inflicted by LB Rey Maualuga on Tuesday, WR Patrick Turner was limited in Wednesday and Thursday practices, but he is expected to start against Idaho.
• The LA Times is reporting that a USC non-athletic department appeals panel on Friday granted dismissed receiver Jamere Holland a release to transfer to any school, Holland’s attorney said. This development will allow Holland to talk to Oregon or any other Pac-10 school without having two face a two year hiatus after a transfer to an in-conference school.

Dispatch from the walk-thru (USCRipsIt)
Trojans’ defense has gaudy expectations (LA Daily News)
USC not issue-free as it opens season (LA Daily News)
Danelo’s memory alive and well (LA Times)