Special Teams Get Attention

USC began remedial work on special teams by focusing on extra points and punting.

The snapper’s position is up for grabs on both squads. Bernard Riley could replace Joe Boskovich on short snaps; Zeke Moreno and Norm Katnik are in the mix for the long snapper’s spot.

If nothing else, the Trojans will devote more attention to special teams after a series of blocked punts, wayward kicks and other blunders in recent games.

“A little extra meeting time, a little extra practice time,” Coach Paul Hackett said. “This is not the early season anymore. We’ve got to clean this up.”

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Kareem Kelly sat out much of practice because of tightness in his right quadriceps.

The sophomore receiver said the injury was not related to the calf problems that kept him out of the final minutes against San Jose State, a game in which he had seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Kelly expects to play Saturday at Oregon State.