March 26--USC quarterback Cody Kessler is on the move.
The fifth-year senior is running with the ball more during spring practice as he works to reduce sacks and give the Trojans another offensive weapon.
Kessler, who passed for 39 touchdowns in 2014, said that if he goes through his progressions and does not find an open receiver, he will be more inclined to scramble than throw the ball out of bounds.
"If it's not there and there's a lane, I'm going to take off," he said. "Even if it's only five, six, seven yards, it's better than throwing it away or taking a sack."
USC gave up 32 sacks last season. Kessler gained 100 yards rushing, but his net yardage because of sacks was minus 152 yards.
Coach Steve Sarkisian said he is encouraged by Kessler's scrambling.
"Cody's never going to be a runner where we're calling designed runs for him," Sarkisian said, "but if we can take advantage of some third-and-fours and third-and-six when coverage is really good ... those are winning plays in a ballgame."
