09/02/10 - Phillip Tanner, rSr/2011, Middle Tennessee State, 5-11, 208 (DS#57 RB) THIS WEEK'S GAME: Minnesota at Middle Tennessee, Sept. 2 - It's a chance for the Blue Raiders to seize the moment. This is the first time a Big Ten school has made a trip to Murfreesboro. And while there won't be any Brutus Buckeye or Joe Pa on the opposing sidelines, a win over a BCS school on national television in front of your home crowd would be the ideal way to start the season. KEYS TO THE GAME: The Blue Raiders must shake off the loss of quarterback Dwight Dasher and concentrate on the matter at hand. The offense has to hang on to the ball. The defense has to hold its own and create turnovers. PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Phillip Tanner - He's back for a fifth year after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the second game of 2009. Tanner is one of 49 candidates for the Doak Walker Award.
09/02/10 - Jurrell Casey, Jr/2012, Southern Cal, 6-1, 295 (DS#1 DT) MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: DT Jurrell Casey - It would be easier to say QB Matt Barkley, but at least USC has some depth there with senior Mitch Mustain. Casey had a big spring and looks like another in the line of standouts at the position for USC. And he'll be needed more than ever in the interior, as Christian Tupou suffered a torn ACL in the spring game. Casey had 59 tackles last season, including nine for loss.
09/02/10 - Logan Kilgore, So/2013, Middle Tennessee State, 6-3, 182 (DS#999 QB) PLAYERS TO WATCH: QBs Logan Kilgore and Jeff Murphy - They will be called on to replace the suspended Dwight Dasher. Kilgore, a sophomore, passed for 2,512 yards and 22 touchdowns at Bakersfield College last year. Murphy, a junior, played at Laney College, a junior college in California, last season. He threw for 1,845 yards as a freshman and 1,749 yards and 16 TDs as a sophomore.
09/02/10 - Devon Kennard, So/2013, Southern Cal, 6-3, 255 (DS#6 ILB) PLAYERS TO WATCH: LB Devon Kennard - The sophomore beat out incumbent Chris Galippo for the starting spot in fall camp. He will play in the middle, flanked by returning starters Malcolm Smith and Michael Morgan.
09/02/10 - Jamari Lattimore, rSr/2011, Middle Tennessee State, 6-2, 225 (DS#41 OLB) SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Perhaps this is one reason why coach Rick Stockstill seems so grumpy when assessing his team. The Blue Raiders lost five starters and replacing them won't be easy. The front seven was hit particularly hard, losing four starters. Stopping the run will be one issue. Putting pressure on the quarterback will be another. There will be some growing pains along the way, especially early in the season. And don't forget the offense likely won't be as potent without quarterback Dwight Dasher so it will be even more important for the defense to play well. PLAYERS TO WATCH: DE Jamari Lattimore - One of the few returning players on the front seven, he made second-team all-conference last season. He started every game, recorded 5.5 sacks and recovered three fumbles.
09/02/10 - Robert Woods, Fr/2014, Southern Cal, 6-1, 182 (DS#9 WR) True freshman Robert Woods had a strong camp, and he'll likely be a starting wide receiver and one of USC's main kick returners when the season opens at Hawaii. Woods was rated as California's second-best prospect last season by Rivals.com.
09/02/10 - Matt Barkley, So/2013, Southern Cal, 6-2, 230 (DS#2 QB) KEYS TO SUCCESS: There is still ample talent at the skill positions, and the new coaches need to take the reins off sophomore QB Matt Barkley and let him find those talented players in the passing game. Barkley is slimmer and fitter than last season, when he completed 211 of 352 passes for 2,735 yards, with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. QUOTE TO NOTE: "One of the greatest things Kiffin could have done is open up the competition between Mitch (Mustain) and I. I've noticed a change in Mitch this offseason. It made me a better quarterback and kept me on my toes. Taking nothing for granted made me improve this season." - QB Matt Barkley, on new coach Lane Kiffin.
09/02/10 - Nickell Robey, Fr/2014, Southern Cal, 5-08, 168 (DS#22 CB) SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: USC's strength is up front, starting with DT Jurrell Casey, a junior who seems poised for an All-American season. It's USC's secondary that could be under attack by Hawaii, though. The Warriors don't exactly have the scoreboard-breaking units they had under coach June Jones, but returning starting quarterback Bryant Moniz has a pair of talented receivers in Greg Salas and Kealoha Pilares. The Trojans will be breaking in true freshman Nickell Robey at one cornerback spot; Robey moved ahead of redshirt freshman Torin Harris in fall camp.
09/02/10 - Marc Tyler, rJr/2012, Southern Cal, 6-0, 225 (DS#9 RB) SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Trojans don't have the crazy depth they had a few years ago, but the offense's front-line players still rank among the best in the Pac-10. The biggest news might be the surprising emergence this fall of RB Marc Tyler, an oft-injured junior who sprinted up the depth chart and wrested the starting assignment away from Allen Bradford. True freshman RB Dillon Baxter is suspended for the opener, but look for a pair of classmates to make an impact right away -- WR Robert Woods and WR Kyle Prater.
09/02/10 - Chris Galippo, rJr/2012, Southern Cal, 6-2, 250 (DS#2 ILB) In one of USC's highest-profile position battles, sophomore Devon Kennard won the starting middle linebacker spot over Chris Galippo. Kennard has previously played defensive end and outside linebacker. Galippo will back up all three linebacker spots in a thin linebacker corps.
09/02/10 - Dillon Baxter, Fr/2014, Southern Cal, 6-0, 205 (DS#1 RB) Freshman RB Dillon Baxter, who became a YouTube sensation in spring, is suspended for the season-opener at Hawaii for an unspecified violation of team rules. He won't be on the traveling squad.
09/02/10 - Matt Barkley, So/2013, Southern Cal, 6-2, 230 (DS#2 QB) There are so many major storylines swirling around the USC program. New coach Lane Kiffin. A 2010 postseason ban. A future loss of scholarships. A new athletic director. Being stripped of national titles because of violations centered on former Trojan Reggie Bush. That's some of what is going on. The thing this group of Trojans needs most of all is a game. That's the relief they'll get when they open the season Thursday night against Hawaii. "There's a lot of motivation for these guys," Kiffin told the Orange County Register. "They've been through a lot. I've said it before; the wrong people are being punished. You've got all these players getting on a plane to Hawaii that can't play in a bowl game that had nothing to do with this, that weren't even here..."What they can control is having the same goal we always have - win every game that they allow us to play." As far as winning goes, much will depend on sophomore quarterback Matt Barkley. The previous coaching staff treated him with kid gloves last season, not wanting to put too much of the offense's load on the true freshman. He ended up being OK - he completed 211 of 352 passes for 2,735 yards, with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions - but the offense sputtered down the stretch, averaging 20.7 points in the final six games. This season, Kiffin is going to open up the playbook for Barkley, whose first task is to take aim at a Hawaii defense that has an experienced secondary but questions up front and at linebacker. Senior center Kris O'Dowd said he has seen a difference in Barkley. "For a pup, for a freshman, he did the best he could do," O'Dowd told the L.A. Times. "Now, in the huddle he's confident. He brings energy."
09/02/10 - Dillon Baxter, Fr/2014, Southern Cal, 6-0, 205 (DS#1 RB) NEWCOMER TO WATCH: RB Dillon Baxter - The true freshman enrolled early, became a YouTube sensation for some of his runs in spring drills and quickly earned the title of "the next Reggie Bush" ... hopefully, without the violations. USC can use Baxter as a wildcard, lining up as tailback as a receiver or taking snaps from the Wildcat formation. Other newcomers to watch are receivers Kyle Prater, Robert Woods and Markeith Ambles.
09/02/10 - Devon Kennard, So/2013, Southern Cal, 6-3, 255 (DS#6 ILB) BREAKOUT STAR: LB Devon Kennard - The sophomore showed talent at defensive end and outside linebacker last season, including having eight tackles against Arizona in only his third game at linebacker. Kennard, who was moved to middle linebacker in the spring, will continue to wage a fierce position battle with junior Chris Galippo. Kennard's skills and versatility ensure key playing time, even if he's not the starter.
09/02/10 - Bryant Moniz, Jr/2012, Hawaii, 6-0, 190 (DS#52 QB) THIS WEEK'S GAME: USC at Hawaii, Sept. 2 - These are two schools that have been involved in a lot of news away from the football field in recent months, so focus will be key. USC, in particular, is in an interesting spot because the program was made ineligible for the postseason and has lost several transfers. Still, the Trojans should have too much talent for the Warriors. KEYS TO THE GAME: Hawaii needs to build some confidence early and force turnovers on defense. The Warriors aren't likely to stop the Trojans from moving the ball, but if they can take advantage of some season-opening sloppiness they might have a chance. PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Bryant Moniz went on personal leave in the spring but returned in fall camp to win the job. He was impressive at times last year but needs to take a big step to be mentioned alongside quarterbacks like Colt Brennan and Timmy Chang.
09/02/10 - Kealoha Pilares, Sr/2011, Hawaii, 5-10, 205 (DS#156 WR) Hawaii's football team boarded buses for a scrimmage off-campus at Aloha Stadium last week, the Warriors' first appearance at the stadium since last year's season finale. For some of the Warriors, just walking into the stadium was enough to get the butterflies fluttering. That feeling should be enhanced Thursday night when they open the season against USC. "I can't wait for the season to start," receiver Kealoha Pilares told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. "We've been looking forward to that day since spring ball. Every day we've been coming out and working hard. Everybody is hungry for that." The Warriors are coming off a losing season. They should be better this year, mostly because of the offense. Quarterback Bryant Moniz and three standout receivers return. "Our offense is looking crisp," Moniz told the Star-Advertiser. "We're going to put up some numbers this year. It's going to be good."
09/02/10 - Alan Gendreau, Jr/2012, Middle Tennessee State, 5-10, 175 (DS#24 K) Junior PK Alan Gendreau is one of 30 players on the 2010 Lou Groza Award Pre-Season Watch List. He was a semifinalist for the award last season when he was also a first team All-Sun Belt Conference selection. Gendreau was successful on 18-of-22 on field goals and missed only one extra point in 51 tries.
09/02/10 - D.D. Kyles, rJr/2012, Middle Tennessee State, 6-1, 198 (DS#63 RB) RB D.D. Kyles lost ground in the tailback competition, and it's unclear how much he'll play. Kyles didn't impress the coaches in spring ball and has been battling a hamstring injury.
09/02/10 - Logan Kilgore, So/2013, Middle Tennessee State, 6-3, 182 (DS#999 QB) SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Someone will have to replace Dwight Dasher at quarterback. Good luck with that one. It will be up to two junior college transfers, sophomore Logan Kilgore and junior Jeff Murphy, to run the offense. Both put up outstanding numbers at their previous stops, but neither has taken a snap at the Division I level so the inexperience factor will be there, especially in the opening game of the season. Blue Raiders coaches may have to trim the playbook and try to avoid putting their quarterbacks in high-risk situations.
09/02/10 - Stephen Roberts, rFr/2014, Middle Tennessee State, 6-3, 229 (DS#33 ILB) NEWCOMER TO WATCH: LB Stephen Roberts - Taking a redshirt season as a freshman has worked out well for Roberts. Even though he didn't play last season, he was moved to No. 1 on the depth chart at middle linebacker for spring ball. Roberts impressed the coaches so much he ended spring drills being named the "most improved" linebacker.
09/02/10 - Sancho McDonald, Jr/2012, Middle Tennessee State, 6-3, 202 (DS#113 WR) BREAKOUT STAR: WR Sancho McDonald - This could be the season the junior breaks from the pack and becomes a key part of the offense. McDonald had a good spring and is in position to start alongside Garret Andrews. Look for him to improve on last season's numbers when he had 24 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
09/02/10 - Aaron Brown, rJr/2012, Hawaii, 6-1, 208 (DS#55 OLB) Linebacker Aaron Brown missed nearly all of the preseason practices with a sprained ankle but returned about a week before the opener.
09/02/10 - Matagisila Lefiti, Jr/2012, Hawaii, 6-0, 280 (DS#53 C) Center Matagisila Lefiti will miss the first three games because of foot surgery. Brett Leonard was expected to replace him, but he'll miss three games with a knee injury. That leaves Bronson Tiwanak as the starter. The other offensive line starters are left tackle Austin Hansen, right guard Adrian Thomas, left guard Brysen Ginlack and right tackle Laupepa Letuli.
09/02/10 - Soma Vainuku, Fr/2014, Southern Cal, 6-1, 250 (DS#999 FB) Freshman FB Soma Vainuku did not initially report with the newcomers as he was still trying to qualify academically.
09/02/10 - T.J. Bryant, Jr/2012, Southern Cal, 6-0, 180 (DS#13 CB) Cornerback T.J. Bryant needed surgery to fix his cheekbone as a result of a fight with starting fullback Stanley Havili at the end of a workout at which coaches weren't present. Bryant was competing for a starting spot, but recovery is expected to take at least three weeks, casting doubt on his availability for the Sept. 2 opener at Hawaii. Havili, a fifth-year senior, reportedly sparked the fight by urging players to finish a sprint relay. Shouting turned to shoving and led to punches being thrown, coach Lane Kiffin said. "When emotions are high," Havili said, "intelligence is down."
.gif){kind=spacer}
.gif){kind=spacer}
.gif){kind=spacer}
