20 September 2007 | 12:51 am
Wednesday notes: Thomas Williams to start?
Some notes from USC’s Wednesday practice as they continue to prepare for Washington State:
- Thomas Williams got a lot of time in Clay Matthews‘ strong-side LB spot on Wednesday as the latter has been limited by his broken thumb. The man who originally occupied that position, Brian Cushing (ankle), is no longer a sure thing to return to the starting lineup against Washington State, as he is not yet all the way back from his injury. More on him will be known as the week progresses (and possibly not until gametime), although he will almost certainly play regardless of his condition.
- DL Fili Moala (thigh) practiced and is expected to start on Saturday.
- The talk of many a Trojan practice lately–and especially Wednesday–has been the play of scout-team quarterback Mitch Mustain, and, to a slightly lesser extent, his favorite target, freshman WR Brandon Carswell. Both have performed exceptionally well, with Carswell being pegged as this year’s David Ausberry, and Mustain being mentioned as a strong contender for next year’s starting job.
- The other storyline picked up by all the major publications today concerns the “struggles” of freshmen Joe McKnight and Everson Griffen, players who have a whopping two games of experience to their names. Even Reggie Bush took three games to get going.
- Apparently, the Trojans can’t win every recruiting battle after all. The top-ranked high school safety, New Jersey’s Will Hill, has indicated that he will make a school announcement on Thursday, to be televised on ESPNU. Since he has narrowed his choice down to USC and Florida, but has canceled his trip to visit USC next weekend after loving his official visit to Florida last weekend, it’s not difficult to guess what that decision will be.
Wednesday Insider: Mustain prepares defense (Rivals, $)
Will Hill’s decision is made (Rivals, $)
Wednesday Practice Report (WeAreSC, $)
Impact of McKnight, Griffen has been limited in early going (LA Times)
Former USC receiver Holland faces uphill battle (Daily News)
USC freshmen struggle (OC Register)
Secondary works to strengthen soft spots (Daily Trojan)
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Mitch freakin’ Mustain… It’s gonna be a battle next spring. Sanchez had better bring his wood screws because this Arkansas kid might blow his doors right off. But like Carroll says, competition will decide the thing. Sanchez is the “program” guy because he’s been here a long time and has waited his turn (feels like I’m talking about a potential Republican presidential nominee), but if doesn’t relax and perform like he can, Mustain might be the next great SC quarterback right under his nose.
so says Marc, September 20th, 2007 at 1:08amNo kidding, Mitch Mustain is just blowing everyone out the water! Everything I read in the media and hear from people who attend practice is how Mustain is amazing and better than Sanchez. I think Sanchez knows his days at USC are numbered. You can just tell from his body language. Can’t see how Sanchez will beat Mustain out. Pete doesn’t care how long someone has been in the program, just ask Matt Cassel. Mustain is the real deal. He will start in 2008.
so says Rob Sharp, September 20th, 2007 at 1:32amAnother article about Mustain’s performance on Wednesday: Press-Enterprise
This boy is GOOD! Mustain is going to start next year, count on it.
so says Moto, September 20th, 2007 at 7:52amOh there is a wanger big enough for all these bandwagon guys and that wanger is Scott Wolf. There is also an ugly thread of Mexican bashing. There is nothing that Mitch has done to make for any of this.
What will happen however is that USC will cut itself out of the running for the best trained OC and other Cali products in an effort to have a HT candidate from the “heartland” or the boondocks. Invariably it will be another JDB quality QB, a system QB who played for a system that doesn’t work in top college football.
Mustain is not as technically as sound and he ran up yards in a small Southern school where his Pops coached and was the local discoverer of the forward pass. Sound familiar?
God forbid, but if PC goes for this he will dismantle a system- Bob Johnson and Steve Clarkson QB’s from So Cal. We are already ushering out Norm Chow’s passed focused offense with lots of shifts and disguises and RB routes, Ogeron’s heavy blitzing and single side press coverage and ball hawking safeties.
While the SEC is turning into the new PAC 10 with West Coast and the Spread offenses we are turning into the old SEC without the defense.
so says Bradley SC 96, September 20th, 2007 at 8:06pmAnd if we stutter this year expect an end to the number one recruiting classes. These bandwagon “fans” and their pressure are going to send us back to the Hackett era.
That Mitch Mustain is something special. No doubt about it, he is the real deal. Everything coming out about him is how he is just phenomenal. Everything coming out about Sanchez is how he is out of his depth at the college level, constantly doing one stupid thing after another. Heck, even Pete Carroll said Sanchez does “bonehead” things in practice and it was beneficial for him to be injured, so he could spend time away from football. Sanchez is finished. 2008 will be the year of Mustain.
so says Allen, September 22nd, 2007 at 11:39am