Defensive line makes night difficult for offense
Steve Spurrier took a moment Monday to brag on his team for its performance not on the field, but in the classroom and around Columbia.
Visibly proud, Spurrier announced after practice that his team recorded its highest-ever combined GPA in the Spring 2011 semester (2.721) and graduated 27 players or former players, also the program's highest total in history.
Additionally, 30 current team members had a 3.0 or higher GPA, which led the Southeastern Conference, and the football team logged the most community service hours of any USC athletic team.
"That's the type of football program our guys are doing here," Spurrier said. "I'm proud of our coaches, our support staff, our academic advisors and proud of our players."
As for USC's session, a closed practice, Spurrier said it was one dominated by the defense, in particular the defensive line, which gave the offensive line troubles and made life "tough" for the quarterbacks.
However, Spurrier did note tailback Bruce Ellington threw a touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery, presumably out of the wildcat formation.
When asked about the continuing conference expansion rumors involving Texas A&M, Spurrier said he would "wait and see," joking the SEC "doesn't listen" to football coaches and any questions would be better directed at the league's member institution presidents and chancellors.
Defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles told the media he has begun to work at defensive end as well. He said he is comfortable doing both, and that it will only increase his in-game workload once the season starts.
Defensive end Melvin Ingram, who led USC in sacks last season, said he has not been offended by the attention toward heralded freshman Jadeveon Clowney, and that he enjoys having Clowney as a teammate.
USC will hold its second scrimmage Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. It is closed to the public, as is every remaining practice in the preseason.