Headlinin’: Trojan-on-Trojan violence sidelines USC starter

Making the morning rounds.

• That’s the Trojan spirit. USC cornerback T.J. Bryant, a projected starter, underwent surgery on his left cheekbone Thursday, apparently the result of a fistfight with teammate Stanley Havili during the Trojans’ final preseason conditioning drill last Friday. Bryant expects to miss about three weeks of practice; coach Lane Kiffin wasn’t on hand, per NCAA rules, but said he plans to "get more information." A contrite Havili (right) attributed the scuffle to being "all fired up" for a "high-intensity relay drill" supervised by team trainers: "It was the last workout of the (summer). Emotions were high. When emotions are high, intelligence is down. I let it get the best of me, and I feel bad about it." You should be able to purchase your commemorative "Intelligence Down" T-shirts at Bruins Nation by the end of the day. [Associated Press, L.A. Daily News, Orange County Register]

• You’re not thinking of getting rid of the dank, are you? Elsewhere in L.A. facelifts, the 87-year-old Rose Bowl will be undergoing a series of renovations over the next three years, including upgrades to video and scoreboards, remodeled bathrooms, a new foundation for the press box, an escalator tower for reporters coming to and from the press box, more field-level entrances and exits, waterproofing and (of course) installation of new advertising panels. The work isn’t expected to interrupt any games or events. [ESPN Los Angeles]

• Nutty, with a slight hint of relief. SEC commissioner Mike Slive still refuses to mention Lane Kiffin by name, but he’s not above admitting to a little celebrating when he heard the league’s most powerful controversy magnet was bailing on Tennessee for USC in January: "I uncorked a bottle of very fine wine and enjoyed it." [AOL FanHouse]

• Everybody wants to rule the Dawgs. Georgia has received 49 applications to replace disgraced athletic director Damon Evans, but only two make the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s lede: Former San Diego Chargers vice president Jim Steeg and Florida assistant AD Greg McGarity, an Athens native and UGA grad who quickly emerged as the odds-on favorite after Evans’ departure in the wake an embarrassing DUI arrest last month. McGarity’s personal pitch to the university was accompanied by an "enthusiastic" endorsement from U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston. (If you think you’ve got what it takes, you can apply for the job here.) [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

• Graig Cooper, trooper. Miami running back Graig Cooper insists he’s "ready for Game 1" in September, despite suffering what initially looked like a career-ending knee injury on atrocious field conditions in last December’s Champs Sports Bowl. Cooper participated in non-contact drills during the ‘Canes’ first practice on Wednesday, but coach Randy Shannon said he doesn’t plan to play his top back until at least the fourth game. [Miami Herald]

• You’re nobody in this world until somebody wants you dead. West Virginia coach and amateur folklorist Bill Stewart said he received death threats from a disgruntled "fan" after the Mountaineers’ closer-than-expected 17-9 win over Louisville last November: "I got death threats, a guy e-mailed me death threats. And I know it was because we didn’t beat [the point spread]. I turned it over to the authorities, but that bothered me. I mean, you have to be kidding me. That’s not what this is supposed to be about." Actually, making a few bucks off unpaid college kids kind of is what it’s all about. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

• Get back to where you once belonged. Former Oregon great turned NFL bust Joey Harrington will be back in Eugene this fall as a commentator for television broadcasts on the Oregon Sports Network. He’s also "enjoying retirement" and "doesn’t seem to miss the rigors of NFL training camp," which Brett Favre just cannot understand. [KVAL TV]

Quickly… Urban Meyer closes Florida practices to keep out "scumbags" and "Internet people." (Aw, thanks for drawing a distinction, coach.) … Greg McElroy dons the helmet cam, courtesy ESPN. … The status of Tennessee defensive end Ben Martin is uncertain after he went down with an apparent Achilles injury during Thursday’s practice. … Steve Sarkisian assesses Washington’s entire roster. … The Detroit Free Press returns to its favorite subject: Detailed breakdowns of NCAA allegations against Michigan ahead of the Wolverines’ appearance before the Infractions Committee. … Is it a good thing that Northwestern’s most impressive "workout warrior" is its new starting quarterback? … Colorado players will have to earn their Buffaloes all over again. … Like I told you, dawg, Garcia is just going with the flow, bro. … And for your own sake, please, don’t let SEC fans read this column, Ohio.

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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.