One cornerback spot is up for grabs at USC

USC scrimmages for the second time Saturday, and much of the attention will be focused on the competition at one of the cornerback spots.

Coach Lane Kiffin described it Friday as “probably the scariest position.”

Senior Shareece Wright is set on one side, but redshirt freshman Torin Harris, third-year sophomore Brian Baucham and freshman Nickell Robey are in a close race for the other spot.

All three intercepted passes during Friday night’s practice, which was dominated by the defense. Robey also forced a fumble.

“They’re all doing a good job,” Wright said. “But we need somebody to really step up.”

The position is of particular concern because Kiffin, fearing injuries that could deplete the roster, has decreed that the Trojans would limit tackling to today and to next week’s scrimmage. They will not tackle in their final scrimmage before the Sept. 2 opener at Hawaii.

“We’re going to need to have it figured out after [next week’s scrimmage] because there’s nothing we’re going to see after that point that’s going to tell us how they’re going to play like in game-like situations,” Kiffin said.

On the run

After practice ended, offensive players ran to an auxiliary field and ran 100-yard sprints as punishment for losing the ball four times in the final six possessions.

“We’re going to understand that we better take care of the ball, all of us on offense, or it’s going to be a long year,” Kiffin said.

Eager to return

Defensive lineman Armond Armstead sat out the Trojans’ first scrimmage because he had not practiced the required number of days to don full pads.

So Armstead said he could not wait to play today.

“We’re only going to get a certain amount of chances to go full speed and see how our defense looks, so this is a good chance for me and everyone else to see where we are,” he said.

Quick hits

Redshirt freshman linebacker Marquis Simmons was not at practice because he was having his appendix removed, Kiffin said. …. K.C. Pola, a 6-foot, 210-pound fullback who is the son of offensive coordinator Kennedy Pola, has joined the team as a walk-on….Fullback Stanley Havili suffered a separated shoulder Thursday and Friday wore a yellow jersey indicating that he should not be hit…. Tailback Marc Tyler suffered a groin strain, offensive lineman Kevin Graf a shoulder sprain. … Dillon Baxter, Ronald Johnson, Curtis McNeal and Robert Woods are competing to return punts…. Kiffin, asked if Reggie Bush had reached out to him: “I’m going to avoid that subject. I think you guys already know my feelings for Reggie as a player and what he did here, and I’m moving on.”

gary.klein@latimes.com