USC's Madden to miss season with knee injury

USC's first 10 spring workouts routinely ended with Coach Lane Kiffin providing an optimistic outlook based on the day's events. Not Thursday. Sophomore tailback Tre Madden, who has impressed in his switch from linebacker, fell to the ground without being hit late in the workout as Madden attempted to plant and cut off his left leg. He was assisted off the field because of an apparent left knee injury and was taken to the locker room after practice. On Friday, it was announced that Madden tore a ligament in his left knee during yesterday's practice. The injury will force him to miss the 2012 season after he undergoes surgery. The 6-foot, 226-pound Madden has provided the Trojans with much-needed depth and a big-back presence. He also gave USC another dimension because he is capable of running and passing from the wildcat formation. Returning starter Curtis McNeal is enjoying a solid spring and D.J. Morgan also has performed well. But redshirt freshman Javorious Allen remains sidelined because of a hamstring strain, so the Trojans could go into Saturday's scrimmage with only two sound tailbacks. He played in all 12 games at linebacker and special teams as a true freshman including one start against Colorado.