EUGENE -- The Oregon Ducks held their normal closed walk-through practice Thursday morning in misty, 40-degree temperatures. Oregon coach Chip Kelly said the Ducks got the necessary work done in the kicking game, which is one reason to be outside. "It was good to get out," Kelly said. "It's supposed to be like this on Saturday." The No. 4 Ducks (9-1, 7-0) play No. 18 USC (8-2, 5-2) at 5 p.m. Saturday in Autzen Stadium -- ABC/KATU (2) -- on what is predicted to be a frosty evening. Some forecasts even have mentioned the possibility of snow. "Snow?" Kelly said. "Awesome. I love snow." Kelly, remember, grew up in New Hampshire, played his college football there and coached much of his career at the University of New Hampshire. But many of Oregon's key players -- LaMichael James, Darron Thomas, Kenjon Barner, De'Anthony Thomas come to mind -- hail from warmer climes. "The Idaho guys will be excited," Kelly said. "I don't know about Alejandro Maldonado." Maldonado, Oregon's kicker, is from Colton, California. USC has a salty run defense that is eighth nationally, giving up an average of 100.40 yards per game. The Trojans haven't faced anybody that will attack them on the ground exactly the way that Oregon will. "Not totally," Kelly said. "But they've done a good job. They've chased people out of it. Notre Dame just resorted to trying to throw the ball because they couldn't run on them." De'Anthony Thomas has been of the week's story lines. The Register-Guard and the Los Angeles Times have done major profiles on Thomas, a Los Angeles product who originally committed to Notre Dame. The Oregonian's Lindsay Schnell has one coming for tomorrow's print edition. It should be online at some point today. Kelly said he never considered restricting DAT's media availability this week. "Nah, I'm media friendly ... ," Kelly said. "For our kids, that's part of their experience going to college." Kelly lauded the play of his secondary this season, and singled out sophomore Avery Patterson, who has played as the nickelback, at safety and at cornerback this season. He also has contributed on special teams. "It's a credit to Avery," Kelly said. "It just seems like each game he keeps getting better. Our coaches are trying to find more places where they can plug Avery in because he is really pushing for a lot more significant playing time." Kelly said the Ducks are preparing as if game-breaking USC receiver Robert Woods will play, despite reports out of Los Angeles that Woods could miss the game with ankle and shoulder issues. "If he doesn't play, than he's really banged up," Kelly said. "I know (USC coach) Lane (Kiffin) isn't going to put a guy out there if it's going to really hurt him. ... We're still preparing for him because the kid is an unbelievable competitor, and a talent. If he doesn't play it won't be because he doesn't want to play." On the Oregon injury from, linebacker Kiko Alonso was wearing an icepack on his right ankle when he left the Casanova Center after practice. http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2011/11/ducks_brave_the_elements_durin.html
