Morning USC Links: Cody Kessler at Quarterback, Misty May-Treanor Arrives and Other Links

Lane Kiffin: Nothing “Certain” on USC QBs and Other Pac-12 Teleconference Notes(Kyle Kensing | Bleacher Report )

"The quarterback competition between Max Wittek and Cody Kessler is still ongoing—at least, according to Lane Kiffin’s statement during Tuesday’s Pac-12 coaches teleconference. “I don’t think anything is certain,” Kiffin said. “We’ll go out there [Saturday against Washington State] and see what happens.” Kessler started the Trojans’ 30-13 Week 1 win over Hawaii, and Wittek appeared throughout the second half. Kiffin reiterated his stance that the two are much closer in ability than some might think. “They’ve become more similar over time, [because] they’ve worked on weaknesses in game,” Kiffin said. “There’s not much difference when the guys are in there.”"

Cody Kessler Reportedly Set To Start At Quarterback For USC Vs. Washington State(Michael Castillo | Saturday Blitz )

"USC Trojans redshirt-sophomore quarterback Cody Kessler is about to get his second start under his belt at the collegiate level, as FOX is reporting that Lane Kiffin will start him in Week 2 vs. the Washington State Cougars, to open Pac-12 play."

Play Calling Breakdown: USC vs. Hawaii(Calum Hayes| Conquest Chronicles)

"Looking at these numbers, the repetitive rhetoric that blaming the Trojans offense merely on the head coach may be a tad bit off base. In situations with less than five yards to the goal line or first down marker, Coach Kiffin called run plays 57% of the time, in situations with more than five yards to go Coach Kiffin called for passes 54% of the time and as a whole passed the ball on over half the Trojans offensive snaps. Compare this to last year when USC threw the ball 461 times and ran 391, which works out to throwing the ball 54% of the time."

The Perception of USC Head Coach Lane Kiffin Is Not Always Reality(Trenise Ferreira | Bleacher Report )

"Kiffin is in many ways the exact opposite of Carroll, and that is exactly why the former USC AD Mike Garrett (and the board of trustees, including current AD Pat Haden) brought him on board. He’s no nonsense, he’s more reserved and—save for a few incidences—he has run a ship that has seen USC’s players do well in the classroom (no players are academically ineligible this season) as well as stay out of trouble. He’s been a top-notch recruiter, reloading talent and bringing in some of the best athletes in the country to play for a sanctioned team. But he gets no credit for any of this. Why? Because people have selective memory, that’s why."

Olympic Champion Misty May-Treanor Joins USC Sand Volleyball(Evan Budrovich | Conquest Chronicles )

"Three-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor will join the USC women’s sand volleyball program as a volunteer assistant head coach under current head coach Anna Collier. Coming to USC following an Olympic Gold Medal in 2012, the talented May-Treanor brings an outstanding lineage of success to the sand of Merle Norman Stadium."

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