COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : USC : Robinson Readies for First Game

USC Coach John Robinson on the difference between an NFL preseason opener and a college opener:

“In an NFL preseason opener, you don’t need all your (offensive) stuff in. You can phase it in over several games. But when we open with North Carolina (Aug. 29 at Anaheim Stadium), we have to have everything in. Not only the trick plays, but defenses for trick plays.”

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Robinson, on Trojan field goal kicker, Cole Ford: “In terms of leg strength, I think he’s an NFL kicker. I think he’s a real talent. But he’s been inconsistent and that means he’s just got to learn to concentrate better.”

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Willie McGinest, an All-American defensive end candidate, was held out of practice Tuesday because of a sore lower back. He’s expected back in pads soon.

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USC officials are delighted with early ticket sales for the Aug. 29 Trojan opener with North Carolina at Anaheim Stadium, and they attribute it to the return of Robinson as head coach. “We’ve sold 12,000 tickets and we should hit 15,000,” said athletic director Mike Garrett. “We only had 6,000 at the Freedom Bowl last December.”