Making the morning rounds.

• Man, Dillon’s just chillin’. Hyped freshman running back Dillon Baxter, an instant practice-field star in the spring, has been suspended for USC’s first game, at Hawaii on Sept. 2. Coach Lane Kiffin was mum on the offense, but a little digging by beat writer Scott Wolf turned up a public safety report that cites an unnamed student for “violating team curfew and being under the influence of a controlled substance,” i.e. marijuana. (Wolf had noted earlier in the week that Baxter was “forced to roll along the grass” at both Tuesday practices for missing a bed check on Monday night.) Even in announcing the suspension, Kiffin called Baxter “potentially the most talented player on the team,” and veterans accustomed to a lighter touch under Pete Carroll seem to be getting the message. [L.A. Times, L.A. Daily News]

Sophomore defensive end Nick Perry’s status for the opener is in question, too, after the Trojans’ ’09 sack leader left practice with an injured right knee and ankle suffered in a goal line drill. [Orange County Register]

• Bruins’ bad breaks. Across town, the latest in a long, long line of non-contact foot injuries – this one to junior defensive end Datone Jones, a returning starter who’ll likely be out until at least midseason –