Here are today’s practice rankings for the reserves:

Cody Kessler
Max Wittek
Jesse Scroggins DNP

Sort of an anti-climatic practice today as the promised scrimmage never materialized, officially because of depth issues. Marqise Lee, won the long jump at the Trojan Invitational, was not allowed to practice because of an NCAA rule that limits athletes to 4 hours of competiton per day. The track meet counted as three so football would place him over. For that reason Nickell Robey only participated in football.
Tre Madden, who will permanently play tailback according to Lane Kiffin, enjoyed a strong scrimmage despite a fumble. So did wide receiver De’von Flournoy. Max Wittek threw an early interception but looked strong after that.

Tre Madden will stay at tailback based on his play this week so that raises an issue: who gets to wear No. 13 next season? Madden or reserve QB Max Wittek.

USC baseball opens a big three-game series at No. 2-ranked Stanford tomorrow at 1 p.m. The Cardinal are 13-2 this season while the Trojans are 13-6 and looking to rebound after dropping two of three to Utah last weekend.

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USC coach Kevin O’Neill on last month’s arrest of Wake Forest transfer Ari Stewart last month for possession of marijuana and drug paraphenalia.
“We’re dealing with it internally,” O’Neill said.
Stewart went on his own to USC’s road trip to Arizona last month when he was arrested.

When USC scrimmages tomorrow at the Coliseum, tailback Ty Isaac of Joliet, Ill., will be in attendance.

USC is ranked in the top two and picked to play in the BCS title game in most spring polls but linebacker Dion Bailey said the Trojans still lack respect, at least defensively.
“Honestly, I think our team is looked at as being so good because of our offense,” Bailey said. “The defense hasn’t gotten any respect. Nobody paid attention to our defense.
“They all see our highlight reels with Matt (Barkley), Marqise (Lee) and Robert (Woods).”

We hear USC women’s basketball associate head coach Laura Beeman will be named the head coach at Hawaii as soon as tomorrow.

As USC heads toward Saturday’s spring scrimmage, depth is an issue again with several tight ends out Thursday (Randall Telfer, Xavier Grimble, Junior Pomee). And new tailback Tre Madden looks ready to assume the role permanently with a strong performance.
Lane Kiffin moved the scrimmage-portion of Thursday’s practice up because Madden needed to leave early for class.
“Coach Kiffin looks like a brilliant guy so far,” linebacker Dion Bailey said of the switch.
With Madden on offense, Marquis Simmons is now the backup to Bailey at strongside linebacker.