USC’s Palmer and MacKenzie Are Impressive in Return

Carson Palmer threw for 155 yards and a touchdown and Malaefou MacKenzie had a 71-yard touchdown run to highlight USC’s spring intrasquad game Saturday.

Palmer and MacKenzie led their Cardinal team to a 14-10 victory over the White team, as the Trojans scrimmaged for 102 plays before an estimated 4,000 at the Coliseum. The production was significant since both players are coming off injuries.

Palmer completed 14 of 21 passes in his first action of any kind since sustaining a season-ending broken collarbone last season against Oregon.

“It’s going to take a while to get back into the place I was before I got hurt,” said Palmer, who threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Marcell Allmond. “I still have to get my timing back with the receivers and get into the flow of the offense.”

MacKenzie was slowed last season because of a pulled left hamstring. In 1998 he sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the season opener against Purdue. He is expected to battle Sultan McCullough for the starting tailback spot, and his touchdown at the end of the first quarter demonstrated speed and power. MacKenzie had with 87 yards in 10 carries.

Mike Van Raaphorst completed 11 of 22 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown for the White team. He was also intercepted once. Allmond topped all receivers with four receptions for 93 yards. David Newbury kicked one field goal in four attempts--a 37-yarder in the second quarter.

In defensive highlights, Lonnie Ford had three sacks, Ifeanyi Ohalete had a game-high 13 tackles, Darrell Rideaux had an interception and Matt Childers recovered a fumble.