MacKenzie Sharp in Scrimmage

Freshman Malaefou MacKenzie ran for 56 yards in eight carries in USC’s second scrimmage Friday and looks as if he might be the Trojans’ No. 2 tailback behind Delon Washington.

“He’s definitely got some speed and power, things you need to be a great running back,” said assistant coach Charles White, the 1979 Heisman Trophy winner.

MacKenzie’s longest run was for 21 yards.

Washington, a senior, ran for 49 yards and two touchdowns in 12 carries during the 65-play closed scrimmage at the Coliseum.

*

John Fox, named the starting quarterback after last week’s scrimmage, completed 11 of 15 passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns, including a 40-yard pass play to fullback Rodney Sermons. . . . Coach John Robinson was concerned about his team’s execution after a “sloppy” penalty-marred scrimmage. “Yes, I am [concerned],” Robinson said. “We kind of showed up and went through the motions.” . . . Sermons landed headfirst after one run and left the field, but Robinson said he was all right. . . . Among the defensive standouts were freshman linebacker/safety Antuan Simmons, who had two sacks, redshirt freshman defensive end Sultan Abdul-Malik, who knocked down a pass, and junior cornerback Daylon McCutcheon, who intercepted a pass in the end zone.