WE ARE SC!!!! USC TROJAN FOOTBALL

USC Washington 2007 recapp courtesy of ESPN

2007-09-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow, Johnny Morton

2007-05-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

I am pulling myself out of hiatus for some crazy news. Former USC reciever Johnnie Morton is now entering the Octogon!!!!

Or maybe its some other league like that. Anyway. Crazy stuff.

LAKE FOREST, Calif., May 16 — When Johnnie Morton finished playing wide receiver in the National Football League, he carefully reviewed his retirement options: be host of a talk show, expand his real estate profile, maybe work on his golf game.

Related
Mixed Martial Arts: Marine Is Used to Fighting for His Life (May 22, 2007)

Duane Burleson/Associated Press
Morton played 12 professional seasons, including 8 with the Detroit Lions. He caught 43 touchdown passes in his career.
After much consideration, Morton decided that it would be best to spend his free time being body slammed into a chain-link fence by two men named Joker and Gun.

“Crazy, huh?” Joker said.

Joker’s real name is Mike Guymon. Gun’s real name is Tony Bonello. Together, they are teaching Morton how to compete in mixed martial arts, one of the few sports that may be more violent and more dangerous than professional football.

“I’ve gotten hit a lot in my life,” said Morton, who spent 12 seasons going over the middle against N.F.L. safeties. “But I’ve never gotten hit like this.”

Morton will walk into a ring for the first time June 2 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, beginning his second career. He expects to ask himself the same question that friends, family members and former teammates have been asking him for months: What in the world are you thinking?

Mixed martial arts combines wrestling, boxing and kick boxing with jujitsu, tae kwon do and Muay Thai. Punches to the head and knees to the gut are encouraged. Even the most accomplished fighters get their faces rearranged into cubist paintings.

Two months ago, Morton’s only experience with mixed martial arts was watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship on television. He admired the fighters, mainly because they were the only athletes who seemed more fearless than football players. Morton memorized their names as if they were N.F.L. superstars.

“Some people want to bungee jump,” Morton said. “Others want to jump out of planes. I would never do that. But I want to do this.”

Morton, 35, does not have to fight for a living. He went to the University of Southern California, had a cameo playing himself in the movie “Jerry Maguire,” and was named one of People magazine’s most eligible bachelors. He is rich, handsome, and almost as marketable as Tiki Barber, the former Giants running back who is now a news correspondent for NBC’s “Today” show.

Morton, meanwhile, goes to work at a gym in an Orange County office park. The gym — Joker’s Wild Fighting Academy — includes a ring with a chain-link fence. Japanese and American flags hang from the ceiling, reminding Morton of his mixed heritage.

In Detroit, where Morton spent eight seasons, he was the kind of player who did not get tired even during two-a-days. He can bench press 400 pounds. His body fat is less than 5 percent. But during a sparring session Wednesday, he could not summon the energy to get off his hands and knees. Joker and Gun had to drag him to his feet.

“Let me die in peace,” Morton moaned.

Then he remembered that he was a former professional football player, that his girlfriend was watching, and that Joker and Gun do not believe in peace.

Morton charged at his sparring partner, battering him with a combination of punches and dropping him to the mat with a sweep of his leg. Morton used one hand to grab the man’s neck and the other to pound the side of his face.

If Morton were in the N.F.L., he would have drawn a 15-yard penalty, an automatic ejection, a fine and a possible suspension. But here, he prompted Joker and Gun to do their version of a touchdown dance.

“Look at this guy,” Gun said. “He’s beautiful. He has tons of money. He has an incredibly happy lifestyle. And he’s putting his brain on the line. He’s putting his manhood on the line. It’s hard to say what would make him do it.”

Morton is not the first N.F.L. player to enter the ring, only the most celebrated. Michael Westbrook, a former receiver for the Washington Redskins, won a fight two years ago over Jarrod Bunch, a former running back for the Giants. Bob Sapp, a washout as a N.F.L. lineman, became a formidable competitor in mixed martial arts.

One afternoon last winter, Morton was eating lunch at the Health Emporium when a man named Joey Sakoda approached him. Sakoda first asked Morton if he wanted to go to a mixed martial arts fight. Then Sakoda asked Morton if he wanted to participate.

Sakoda works for Superagent Athletes, a Japanese agency that represents Joker and Gun, both title holders. Sakoda acted quickly, placing Morton on the Dynamite!! U.S.A. fight card, which includes a mixed martial arts star (Royce Gracie) as well as a novelty act (Hong Man Choi, a 7-foot-2 South Korean.)

Morton was afraid to tell his parents. His mother, Katsuko, is Japanese-American. His father, Johnnie Sr., is African-American. Johnnie Sr. was once shot eight times while in his car. Katsuko and Johnnie Sr. did not want their son taking any more risks with his body.

Mark Avery for The New York Times
Johnnie Morton, left, with the trainer Mike Guymon, known as Joker, who urged Morton to “take chances.”
Related
Mixed Martial Arts: Marine Is Used to Fighting for His Life (May 22, 2007)

Morton is getting no tuneups. He is fighting in less than two weeks, on Showtime pay-per-view, in the same stadium where he played college football. He will be paid about as much money as he used to earn for a single N.F.L. game.

One of the broadcasters will be Jay Glazer, who has a unique perspective on the bout. Glazer is best known as an N.F.L. analyst, but he also competes in mixed martial arts. When he visits N.F.L. training camps in the summer, players ask him more about fighting than about football.

“Football players are looked at as the biggest and baddest guys on the planet,” Glazer said. “People see them as superheroes. But football players also need someone to look up to. They view mixed martial arts as something even they are unwilling or unable to do. All the guys love Johnnie. But they think he’s nuts.”

N.F.L. players may not want to get into the ring, but they are willing to get in a gym. For years, many players have used boxing as part of their off-season workout regimen. Recently, they have started to turn to mixed martial arts.

According to Glazer, Philadelphia’s Brian Dawkins and Jacksonville’s Donovin Darius have trained at a mixed martial arts gym. So has Barber. This winter, Kansas City’s Jared Allen worked out at Arizona Combat Sports in Tempe.

“Football used to be our only real gladiator sport,” said Trevor Lally, the owner of Arizona Combat Sports gym. “Now, players have M.M.A. to give them a taste of that one-on-one combat. The combat is what they love.”

Morton was never a fighter. Like many receivers, he would try to hit linebackers when they were looking the other way. But Morton said there was only one person in the N.F.L. he would really like to see in the ring — Matt Millen, the Lions’ president. Millen directed a homosexual epithet at Morton after a game between Detroit and Kansas City in 2003, when Morton was playing for the Chiefs.

Morton is not ready to give up football just yet. He was released by the San Francisco 49ers two years ago but said that his agent was talking to a couple of teams. Ideally, he would fight in June and go to a training camp in July.

Morton is trying to shift back and forth, from the mainstream of sports to the fringes, from Tom Brady and Peyton Manning to Joker and Gun. When Morton finished his workout Wednesday, Joker shouted out one more piece of advice, for the road home and the road to retirement.

“Drive fast,” he said. “Take chances.”

Mustain is IN

2007-04-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

Quarterback Mitch Mustain, who started eight games for Arkansas last season, will transfer to USC, a source said Wednesday.

Mustain, 6 feet 3 and 205 pounds, had been contemplating transferring to either USC or Tulsa. He visited USC in February and also watched the Trojans scrimmage at the Coliseum this month.

Mustain could not be reached for comment. Coach Pete Carroll declined to comment.

Mustain passed for nearly 900 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2006. He will not be eligible until the 2008 season, when he is expected to compete with Mark Sanchez and Aaron Corp for playing time. Former Razorback receiver Damian Williams, who transferred to USC in January, also will be eligible in 2008.

Foxnews predicts USC to win out in 2007

2007-03-06T03:06:00.000-08:00

Fox Sports (who have actually beefed up their college football mindshare) went with wildcard USC to be in the BCS championship series this year. While not really a surprise, its good to see the major media companies lining up behind the Trojans.

Hopefully they will get the proper national and international airtime they deserve - especially with not one, but two, top five All American Freshman tailbacks. Is anybody else out there thinking Reggie and LenDale?

Wow looking at that, we have half of the top 6 recruits in the country and four of the top twelve. Great videos too...

My god, we still have 6 months :(

Rule Changes on the way in College Football

2007-02-28T03:32:00.000-08:00

The latest round of rule changes is on the way for College football. It repeals most of the clock changes (not stopping the clock after a kick and moving the clock on a change of posession/kickoff. These rules were meant to speed up the game. However there was no mention of shortening the TV timeouts or Commercial breaks.

Its funny how that works. Go College football.

For Those USC Expats...

2007-02-13T15:32:00.000-08:00

This hits home in a big way...except I'd never hang with the Irish...

Welcome Joe McKnight to the USC Trojan Football Family

2007-02-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

IF this video is any indication of his talents, I think we are in great shape.

Joe McKnight to pick USC?

2007-02-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Of course he is!

From SI
McKnight to USC?

Rivals.com's Greg Ladky is on-site covering Marvin Austin's decision later today. Austin just received a text message from the USC staff stating that Rivals.com No. 2 prospect Joe McKnight will be a Trojan.

The formalization is on Wednesday morning. And in other news another off season sportswriter picks Pete Carroll as the focus of his undying lust.

Danelo Drunk?

2007-02-05T14:16:00.000-08:00

Yeah .28 is pretty wasted. However not too drunk to walk. Too drunk to drive, yes, too drunk to walk, no. The article says 3 times the legal limit....to DRIVE!

So what am I getting at here? He was barely 1/2 to drinking himself to death. Suicide? I don't think so. After that loss to FUCLA we were all pretty sad but I don't think anyone thought this drastically. Plus he had another great season.

Perhaps he was pissed off about Buehler? eh...let's hear some more news from somewhere someone!

South Carolina please stop using "USC"

2007-01-29T09:57:00.000-08:00

Its over. Drop it. Stop using USC. Everytime I see USC loses to blank or USC is total crap in this I think they are talking about Southern Cal. Usually though, they are talking about South Carolina..the poor man's USC. Well, I am here to say Stop.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/16562037.htm

LET ME BE THE FIRST TO RECCOMEND "SCAROLINA"

Quarterbacks have to be smart

2007-01-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

Really?

Sorry - SC content kinda low and this is kinda funny

Lane Kiffin to the Raiders?! WTF

2007-01-23T17:31:00.000-08:00

Man, I didn't see that coming...I can't imagine many people did actually...so what's that mean for SC? That means the better 1/2 of last years play calling is still here...I will give Sarkisian that much.

Don't fuck it up

I heard that if Kiffin didn't take the job, Al Davis was interviewing a song girl who doesn't wear underwear...

Sarkisian staying. Shit. Lucky Raiders

2007-01-19T21:14:00.000-08:00

Well it looks like we have another year of crappy playcalling and "We'll look like we'll run and then we'll ....run on 1st down...all day long...

This is bad news my friends, bad bad news.

Sarkisian informed the Raiders that he wasn't going to leave SC.

I kinda want to die a little bit. Go basketball team!

USC Preseason #1 in SI Power Rankings

2007-01-18T03:41:00.000-08:00

Well, what have we here? The 1st of the 2007 season's rankings. Looks who is at the top...USC

Not too shabby. A few things to consider: At the end of the season we had 0 running game and our 2 starting receivers are now getting paid in the NFL. Will Patrick, Vidal and company step up? Will we get a running game? Stewart Mandel certainly thinks so.

Way to start the year off right Stewart!

Go Sarkisian!

2007-01-18T03:39:00.000-08:00

I mean it. Go.

USC to share the Coliseum with an NFL team?

2007-01-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

This LA Daily News story tells of how a plan to put a 800 million dollar stadium inside the LA Memorial Coliseum fell through. I remember when the Raiders played in the coliseum which was kinda fun and exciting however, all of those new luxury boxes and TGIFridays and such would have been a major downer.

Anyway - long story short, it ain't gonna happen. LA already has a football team as far as most people are concerned.

Yada

Linebacker Keith Rivers coming back

2007-01-14T10:50:00.000-08:00

Oh my stars are we gonna have a good defense next year. Keith Rivers just announced he is on his way back for another season.

That leaves Duane Jarrett as the only USC underclassmen to check out. A very good sign of things to come next year!

Coaching News..

2007-01-14T10:24:00.000-08:00

Two great signs in one article.

Firstly, Sarkisian is a gonner. No more "Let's try running the ball for the 15th straight loss in a row"from the offensive coordinator. He's going to the Raiders. Bye, don't let the door hit you on the way out big guy.

and Second, Miami is giving second interviews to a number of their headcoach candidates and Pete Carroll isn't one of them. JOY! Also mentions that Arizona has a final candidate that isn't Pete Carroll.

Its a good day to be a Trojan!

Dolphins, Pete Carroll..hahah

2007-01-11T10:52:00.000-08:00

The onion always finds a way to put the lighter side of an incredibly scary scenario. This is just such an occasion

Jarrett Gone, Carroll Staying

2007-01-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

IT ain't over til its over but it looks like the predictable happened. Duane Jarrett is a gonner but Pete has reiterated (?! yesterday's statement was anything but definitive!) that he's staying. I can live ith that although, itn a perfect World Duane Jarrett stays another year.

Please, someone feel the Miami job so that I can put it out of mind. Please.

USC Michigan Rose Bowl 2007 Torrent

2007-01-11T05:31:00.000-08:00

Click here to download the torrent of this great game as well as some great pictures. Go trojans!

Uh Oh..Pete Carroll setting himself up for departure from USC

2007-01-10T01:47:00.000-08:00

Well, the news confirmed this week that Pete Carroll did meet with Dolphins Owner Wayne Huizenga for 4 hours and said,
"This was the one instance I've come in contact with that has all the elements I have talked about," Carroll said at a news conference on campus. "[Huizenga] has structured a program where the head coach has the entire say, from top to bottom.

"It's a one-voice program. I don't think there are any other situations like that in the NFL."

Carroll said he was not offered the Miami coaching job, and stressed that he has never thought about leaving USC since arriving after the 2000 season.

"I'm thrilled to be here," he said. "As I've been the whole time, I haven't wavered. I know that being curious about it has helped me appreciate what we have here.

"I absolutely expect to be here."

Umm. Sorry. But you don't.

To Mike Garrett: Call Norm Chow ASAP. Pete, its been great. I wish you'd stay...but jockeying for more NFL $ is all you are doing now. Its over. congrats and all of that.

Man. This has put a damper on my offseason...next thing you know Jarrett will go pro....

Rankings

2007-01-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

USC #4. I don't think so! LSU beat a weak ass ND team, and Florida destroyed Ohio. My POV = USC #2 at the worst. Maybe a split Championship. Besides Tommy could kill at least 10 Gators before one dragged him down into the death roll, and even then he'd come back from the dead and kill more Gators.

Pete Carroll going to Dolphins?!?!

2007-01-08T12:04:00.000-08:00

Noooooooo!

The article states that Wayne Huizenga, the Miami Dolphins owner flew to the same country that Pete Carroll is vacationing in.

Two things to consider/help you sleep at night:

1. The Dolphins are fresh off of getting burned by a college coach that returned to college because he hated the pros so much. Carroll is in the same boat. Bad NFL experience, great college. He'd want to return seconds after having to deal/smoke a blunt with Ricky Williams and his contract.

2. Pete has had an equally bad experience in the NFL and probably doesn't want to repeat it. Plus SC is a pretty good place to be. Pete's recruits are all coming up nicely and USC - with Pete Carroll at the helm - would probably be ranked #1 going into 2007

Pat Forde is an ass. Nick Saban is human

2007-01-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

Pat forde Wrote a scathing article about Nick Saban's decision to leave the Miami Dolphins for Alabama - re-entering the SEC. Pat Forde takes the opportunity to dis all college coaches - the profession and their integrity.

Well, guess what. Not everything is so cut and dry. 1st of all, who is to say that Saban wasn't telling the truth when he said there was no deal to go to Alabama - it might have only been reached at a late hour.

Also - who's business is it of Pat Forde to bully coaches about their career choices. Saban told everyone to F off but kept getting pestered until he gave an answer.

It's not like Miami gave Saban the deal he expected. His star running back kept getting suspended for smoking weed. The fans never really embraced him and he hasn't really had anyone step up. Somehow he managed a .500 record through all of that. F'em. ITs Pro - Buisiness. Go back to college where its a bit less about the money and more about the game.

Oh, and Pat Forde, I wonder if you'd tell ESPN or the press if CNNSI was in the process of offering you a job. Not that a job offer is likely to ever happen. Hack

Best way to pull out a player during a fumble

2007-01-03T17:06:00.000-08:00

Little seen play during Rose Bowl

I hate me

2007-01-02T11:49:00.000-08:00

Cushing for MVP

2007-01-02T11:35:00.000-08:00

As a diehard, its hard to remember a single defensive player having a better season than Brian Cushing has had this year. Additionally, I would say that the Defense is our better 1/2.

And then there has been some exceptional special teams play by the sophmore.

Therefore I officially cast my ballot for Brian Cushing.

Who would have thought John David Booty would be the second best #10 on the USC squad.

Rose Bowl to Remember

2007-01-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a game. USC finally showed what it can do - especially on defense. Dwayne Jarrett is gone - No doubt - but had the kind of game he should have been having all season.

And of course the questions...why couldn't we bring this game all season? What would have happened if we hadn't lost to Oregon or UCLA and played Ohio State...what are we gonna be like next year...etc. etc etc.

Well. Let's say goodbye to 2006 and look forward to 2007!

Dynasty done?

2006-12-30T20:30:00.000-08:00

NOT

in "Trojans focused on return to winning" Bruce Feldman waxes poetic about USC and their current dynasty ending...much like the Miami Hurricanes of 5 years ago.

I think Pete Carroll is much better of a planner than Larry Coker but its something to be careful of.

History Lesson for Trojans

2006-12-25T21:01:00.000-08:00

LA Times has an interesting article that compares the 2006 team with the 1995 team (which I saw win the rose Bowl over Gary Barnett's Northwestern.

I'll spare you the suspense. USC wins. Any other year it would be a dream to be playing the second biggest BCS bowl game. Our expectations are way too high.

USC makes no money compared to ND

2006-12-25T20:37:00.000-08:00

This is a great article on how shitty it is to play in the Pac 10. Although I am sure there is a lot omitted by the scientific analysis.

Some stuff from Scott Wolf

2006-12-25T20:34:00.000-08:00

BY SCOTT WOLF, Staff Writer
Inside SOCAL
Article Launched:12/24/2006 12:33:07 AM PST
USC coach Pete Carroll said fullback Brandon Hancock is expected to apply for a sixth year of eligibility after missing his senior season with torn knee ligaments.
"I'd love to have him back," Carroll said. "He's a leader and a great player to have on our team."

Hancock met with the USC coaching staff this week to discuss the idea.

Carroll said USC's compliance official told him Hancock could likely be granted an extra year by the NCAA.

Players are not allowed to apply until after the season. The compliance office previously said fullback Ryan Powdrell could not apply for a sixth year.

Under NCAA rules, if a player misses two seasons because of an injury, he can apply for a sixth year.

Game speed: USC's top priority when it returns from its Christmas break will be to regain its tempo. Carroll said the game plan has basically already been installed, but will need to be perfected.

"We have to get the game plan nailed," Carroll said. "Next week, we'll install maybe two percent of what we'll do.

"We'll want to come out really fast and hard."

Carroll said he liked the tempo before the break.

Perfect prospect? It's always dangerous to make too much out of a recruit, but a college coach who lost out on defensive Everson Griffen of Avondale, Ariz., raved about the prospect today.

"He's perfect," the coach said. "He could be a first-round draft pick right now."

Even though Griffen is 6-foot-4 and 266 pounds, he could also play running back because of his athleticism, according to the coach.

Since losing to UCLA, USC received two commitments from players heavily recruited by the Bruins: Griffen and offensive lineman Kristofer O'Dowd of Tucson, Ariz.

Unusual outfit: David Buehler, the new kickoff specialist after Troy Van Blarcom was dismissed from school Thursday, said he will continue to wear a neck roll because he might participate on the kick return team, a role he held before getting promoted.

Buehler also wore the neck roll when he kicked a 49-yard field goal against California.

"I've worn my neck roll all through high school and college," Buehler said.

Feeling better: Safety Taylor Mays, who went home to Seattle for the break, removed the cast from his sore hand and is expected to play in the Rose Bowl without it.

Beef Bowl: Michigan will attend the Beef Bowl at Lawry's The Prime Rib restaurant in Beverly Hills on Wednesday. USC will attend on Thursday.

Everson Griffen picks USC!

2006-12-23T19:56:00.000-08:00

This guy is hot. Kinda like #1 pick Mario Williams. Krazy speed 4.5 40, 6'4 270 lbs

Watchout!

Chow rightfully talks shit about UCLA game play calling

2006-12-23T19:48:00.000-08:00

Former USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow took a shot at the current play-calling tandem of Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian in an appearance on a Southern California radio show Tuesday.
"I know DeWayne Walker may be better than both of those guys," Chow said on KLAC/570. "DeWayne Walker is a heck of a football coach, which is why I wasn't too surprised he did what he did at UCLA."
Chow worked with both Kiffin and Walker at USC in 2001. Walker's UCLA defense largely dismantled the USC offense in a 13-9 Trojans loss early this month.
Kiffin said Chow's words didn't bother him much.
"Obviously, I worked with the guy for four years and DeWayne for a year, but what someone says about you really has nothing to do with how you go about your work every day," Kiffin said.
USC's play-calling was criticized at times this year, never more than after the UCLA loss. Kiffin points out that the Trojans averaged 30.3 points per game after losing Heisman Trophy winners Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, plus LenDale White, an NFL tight end and three starting offensive linemen.
USC was third in the conference in scoring behind Cal and Oregon. The Trojans had the same number of turnovers as in 2005 and two fewer sacks.
"I feel very proud of these players," Kiffin said.

2 USC Players out for Rose Bowl

2006-12-23T19:31:00.000-08:00

Academic ineligibility.

Man. How could you blow school with all of those tutors and stuff?

Troy Van Blarcom and Matt Spanos

Oh well no huge loss - plus now we get to see more Buehler.

Interview with USC Song Girls

2006-12-23T17:03:00.000-08:00

Take it for what its worth.

http://video.nbcsports.com/player/?id=52676

Cool Graphic

2006-12-15T04:46:00.000-08:00

USA today does cool things sometimes

UCLA - USC 2006 Torrent

2006-12-13T05:44:00.000-08:00

For those of you who like to torture yourselves, have at it.

Next Year

2006-12-12T11:04:00.000-08:00

OK, so blogger is starting to suck - next year I am going to have a more hardcore site....what should I call it?
(yes I know wearesc.com is taken by scout.com)

leave any suggestions in the comments...also - btw - I know there are some visitors - 100-200 day during the season - about 50 a day now...screenshot of google anayltics below.

What else do you miss out on on SC fanblogs? Polls?, statshots? Videos? Torrents?
feed me

FUCLA

2006-12-12T09:38:00.000-08:00

Glad I didn't go to this school

Lane Kiffin going to Arizona State?!

2006-12-08T01:57:00.000-08:00

Oh man. Please. After some of the worst play calling I've ever seen against UCLA, I am always happy to see news like this. I hope Pete gives him a good reccomendation. :D

Bye

Norm Chow going to ASU?

2006-12-08T01:52:00.000-08:00

Is Norm Chow going to Arizona State University? Sounds like the rumor mill believes it to be the case, especially after he took his name out of the hat for the NC State job (who would want that job anyways?)

Officially, he's one of 6 contenders for the position but if I am AZ state, its a no brainer. Who has better Pac-10 experience and know-how? Also, what contender is likely to give them a shot against USC - something they need if they hope to get a Pac-10 title....But I am not AZ state.

So good luck getting the gig Norm or not.

Only 1 all american?

2006-12-08T01:42:00.000-08:00

For a team that last week was going to be in the BCS title game and is playing for a #2 end of season ranking in the Rose bowl, you'd think that we'd have more than 1 all american.

Not so.

Only Dwayne Jarrett this year. Cal has 2. Sucks

Lawrence Jackson to return to Trojans next year

2006-12-08T01:33:00.000-08:00

Good news Trojan fans, it seems that LJ has decided to return for his senior season. Considering the redshirt Junior expects to get his degree in June, this is a blessing. Also - LJ has only 4 sacks this year, something I think he'd like to improve upon before entering the NFL draft. Here's to hoping that is the case.

USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson told Trojans coach Pete Carroll on Thursday he would return for his senior season.

"I came back to be a part of a great program and great university. With the guys we have returning on defense, I couldn't pass up being a part of it," Jackson said.

The decision was a mild surprise because Jackson was a pre-season All-American and will get his undergraduate degree next semester. But the redshirt junior recorded just four sacks this season and will likely improve his draft status by returning for another year.

"I have a chance to be a senior leader on one of the best teams in the country," Jackson said.

He currently has 42 tackles, foursacks and two blocked kicks. Late in the season, Carroll gave Jackson a copy of the book, "The Inner Game of Tennis," to get the defensive end to relax and stop trying too hard during games.

"It helped out because I was being critical and judgmental," Jackson said.

"I just gave in to those feelings. I would be disappointed in myself. It hindered me physically.

"After wins, I wouldn't be excited about the win, I would be disappointed with no sacks. Coach Carroll said that was a natural feeling."

"He took the pressure off last week and settled down," Carroll said. "He didn't worry about expectations. Sometimes high expectations change the way you prepare and perform."
Jackson said Carroll was pleased to hear he was returning for next season. It's a rare victory for Carroll with underclassmen, following last year's departures of Reggie Bush, LenDale White, Fred Matua, Darnell Bing and Winston Justice.

All-American honors: Wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett was named to the Walter Camp All-American team, which means he is USC's first-ever two-time All-American first-team wide receiver.

Steve Smith was named to the CBS Sportsline All-American first team, which means it's the first time USC's had two wide receivers become All-Americans. Offensive tackle Sam Baker was also a first-team selection.

Jarrett was a Sports Illustrated first-team All-American while Smith, Baker and center Ryan Kalil were honorable mention selections.

Leinart Facing Tatupu

2006-12-08T00:55:00.000-08:00

This is a conundrum for me usually...Which USC player to support in a pro game? Before it was Carson facing Troy in the Bengals/Steelers games..and now that Willie McGinnist is a Brownie - oh boy!

here's another one...almost makes pro football worth watching..almost

KIRKLAND — They're friends and former college teammates exchanging some friendly fire this week.

Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart are two of the top players on their respective teams, and each played big roles in the USC football team's recent success.

Now Leinart, a rookie, will face Tatupu, a second-year player, for the first time in the NFL on Sunday. And they want to make a play against each other.

Tatupu seeks an interception, Leinart a touchdown.

"I'm due for one," Tatupu snapped. "How long has it been, since Week 5? So let's hope that it finally comes. All joking aside, he's a great quarterback and we have to be on our game. All the 4-3 defenses that are being ran up here [in the NFL], he's seen from going against them every day with Pete's defense."

That would be USC coach Pete Carroll.

Leinart had yet to give Tatupu a call as of Wednesday, a fact not lost on Tatupu.

"I've talked to him throughout the season here and there. It's going to be fun," Leinart said. "He's always said he's going to pick me off, so I told him, 'This week, man.' I told him I'm going to throw a touchdown on him, hopefully."

Leinart also complimented Tatupu.

"He was always talking and always starting stuff, but he can back it up now," Leinart said. "He's a great player."

UCLA USC timeout showdown

2006-12-06T16:44:00.000-08:00

During the TV timeout there was a bit of a fireup between the 2 teams. Hindsight being 20/20 we shoulda just went apeshit on them

Ray's hit on QB Cowan

2006-12-06T15:52:00.000-08:00

For some reason, watching this over and over makes me feel better.
No bruins were hurt making this video (unfotunately)

the interception was a trap - 4th and 3 from the 18

2006-12-03T05:49:00.000-08:00

Am I the only one who noticed this?!?!?

Shame on everyone - especially the refs for not reviewing this.

I will post video as soon as I can

OK, I am not the only one:
from Digg:
Am I the only one (I didn't read the entire thread, so excuse me if someone else commented on this) that noticed that the UCLA player didn't catch/intercept the ball (at the end of the game)?

I replayed it frame by frame and the ball CLEARLY touched the ground.
In such an important game why was there NO review?

I don't have any bias whatsoever. I have no connection to either school and I'm not a fan of either team other than enjoying watching good football.

I sat there, sort of staring in disbelief (no, my arms were NOT outstretched, and I'm not a Fur Trapper) and yelling at the TV when nothing was
mentioned by the announcers and there was no [correct] call on the field.

After that, I felt sure the replay booth officials would "automatically" review the play seeing as it was within the last 2:00 of the game (that IS the rule in college football, right?).

Either way, the bottom line is (or SHOULD be) that if you look at the play from the correct angle (from behind the USC line of scrimmage) in slow motion/freeze-frame the player's hands did NOT cradle the ball. The ball DID touch the ground, and the play should have been ruled an incomplete pass.

Unfortunately the correct call wasn't made, and true bottom line is that the game is over and we'll never know what the outcome of the game would have been if the CORRECT call was made...

It's a shame that this missed call happened with so much at stake.

I wish that I was able to have recorded the game so that I could show a picture of the freeze-frame on my blog, but I'm sure others did record it and they can replay it and see for themselves.

I watched a couple sports-news shows but I haven't seen anyone say a word about the missed call....

Unbelievable!

Ouch

2006-12-03T03:43:00.000-08:00

Last night was tough. I knew from the way the teams came out that this wasn't going to be like last year. That Bruin defense was the fastest and hungriest we've played all year.

As the pain subsides, a few tings to remember:
1. This was a rebuilding year
2. We are going to the Rosebowl (Ouch - that still hurts)
3. Our D played a great game - nothing to ashamed of
4. Next year we are going to be really solid
5. Sarkisian is getting coaching offers and hopefully will take one

There is no denying this really hurts though. I really thought we could take it to Ohio State.

So who are we playing in th Rose Bowl? Hopefully Michigan

Rivalry Week Reason 1029457639 Why College Football is better than pro.

2006-12-02T04:38:00.000-08:00

We are planning our wedding around our families' different allegiances to their alma matters and what Bowl game they might end up going to. It occurred to me that College Football is a beautiful thing. Here's the great Never Graduate campaign by ESPN that illustrates this a bit.

Auburn-Alabama

Michigan-Ohio State

Texas - Texas Tech

USC - UCLA

Another Pete Carroll Quote

2006-12-02T04:35:00.000-08:00

Pete Carroll:

"We have proven the value about focusing on the very thing that's right in front of you and maximizing every drop of the opportunity to have a great time today," Carroll said at his news conference Tuesday. "If we do that, we are a little closer to where we like to be. Our ability and our mastery of focusing in that manner is what our challenge is all about. … The truth is there is some voting college out there and when they tell us what to do, we will go out and do it. If I had control over that, I would talk about it … but I don't. What we do have control over is this day we are dealing with and our upcoming opportunity this weekend."

Read more

"FUCK ME - Throw the Ball!!

2006-11-29T03:31:00.000-08:00

Its weird coz usually the fuck me talk doesn't start until they get into the showers

USC Notre Dame after game celebration

2006-11-29T03:23:00.000-08:00

fight on
F the bruins

Foxsports' good rundown of USC Season

2006-11-29T03:13:00.000-08:00

I know their news is Rush Limbeauish but their Sports is ok right? Anyway - here is a good rundown of the (big) Ups and Downs of USC's Season.

Mean Gene Wojo...idiot

2006-11-27T13:18:00.000-08:00

Permission to talk frankly sir? Gene Wojo.. is a f'ing idiot. His argument that USC shouldn't be number 2? Not that the computers are wrong, not that the AP/Harris/USA Today and every other outlet outside of ann arbor and gainsville are saying USC is #2.

How about being a sportswriter for a few minutes and not being a jealous bitch for like 5 minutes. Everyone from 2 on is flawed. Frankly Ohio State's schedule wsn't even good enough to call them unflawed. So Gen spills the kind of bile that is usually reserved for a bitter whiney coach or some stupid fanboys. Good one...maybe time to go the way of the Coker yo

We are #2!

2006-11-26T06:45:00.000-08:00

So as everyone in Trojan Nation awaits the BCS standings this week, a look around the press seems to indicate that USC will finish #2. I know we are probably going to play Ohio State but can we please focus on UCLA? I mean not just need to beat them, we need to still impress. Florida will be coming off a possible win with Arkansas...and most people rightly or wrongly think that the SEC is the toughest league in the nation...

Anyway. Fight on Beat the BRUINS!

Refresher

2006-11-24T17:46:00.000-08:00

OSU-Michigan Game of the Century Essentially Meaningless

2006-11-23T07:19:00.000-08:00

This is hilarious because it is essentially true!

"I mean, come on—we could have lined up in alphabetical order in the end zone dressed in nothing but helmets and socks and whacked off for 60 minutes, and the BCS would still send us to the Tostitos Championship Game," Tressel told the assembled reporters. "Hell, you'd all still vote for [Buckeyes quarterback] Troy Smith to win the Heisman. And you know it.

And also..go USC!

2006 USC - Oregon Torrent

2006-11-23T06:03:00.000-08:00

I love me a good torrent and this one has some speed behind it - thank you whoevery you are
Click 2006-USC-Oregon Football Torrent to get 'er done

OK. That's it, I want your job Mandel

2006-11-21T13:00:00.000-08:00

OK, I am a little pissed. Stuart Mandel keeps talking shit all year about how USC isn't USC yada yada yada. I haven't been 100% right this whole time but I never flip flop like this!?!:

But beyond that, I'll also admit I changed course in my thinking about the USC/Arkansas situation. While I do still recognize that the Razorbacks are an entirely different team now and that a second game between the two could easily go either way, now that they're both in contention for a national-title spot, I just no longer felt comfortable having the Trojans behind a team they beat 50-14. If that seems a little John Kerry-esque of me ... well it is.

And then dissing John Kerry. Shame ^2

Why isn't USC-Notre Dame getting OSU-Michigan hype?!

2006-11-21T10:54:00.000-08:00

I mean all of the big news sites are still putting Ohio State Michigan on the cover. Hello - its over.

And even more importantly, the 2nd biggest game of the year is going on this weekend between Notre Dame and USC. Not that you'd know it by looking at the big sports websites...

Fight On to Pete Carroll

2006-11-20T03:34:00.000-08:00

It's hard not to take Pete Carroll for granted. He is literally everything to USC football. After the game on Saturday, he took a well deserved break to "smell the roses"

He also said:
"It's a statement of what we're all about, who we are, and it really makes you feel good," Carroll said after the Trojans rallied to beat No. 17 California 23-9 Saturday night to clinch a berth in the Rose Bowl.

"I'm just proud of this moment. Just that thought is really strong in my heart about what we've done here," Carroll said. "I'm filled with that thought.

"We really had a lot of issues in this game. The second half, the defense shut 'em out, shut 'em down. The offense finds a way to make some timely plays. You work so hard to be good in these moments -- the guys did it."

Classy

2006-11-19T17:29:00.000-08:00

Who is David Buehler?

2006-11-19T17:17:00.000-08:00

I f'ing love it. I was just talking the other day with a friend about why there are no big kickers out there. I mean why do kickers have to be so small - why not train a reciever or linebacker or QB to kick. (spare me the George Blanda/Danny White/ Randall Cunningham bs. I know)

So anyway..kinda under the radar, Carroll offers a scholarship to a JC transfer from Santa Ana who is a good fullback/linebacker type who also happens to have a rocket leg. Nice one Pete! Any more surprises?

6'3" 230 pounds with full linebacker/fullback pads gets the call to kick a field goal at a pivotal time in the most important game thus far this year. Mario Danelo, who has been very solid, doesn't have that range.

Buehler (love the name) knocks it straight through the uprights with 15 yards to spare. USC goes on to win.

I fully expect him to drop kick a field goal in the BCS championship game. He'll then play rugby for 5 years and return to the NFL as a kicker

FU and your replays

2006-11-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

Needless to say, I don't think Pete Carroll like replays.

BCS #3?!?!

2006-11-19T16:54:00.000-08:00

After beating the 2nd best team west of the Mississippi and having Michigan fall, I think we all expected to be # 2 this week.

NO

Fear not Trojans. We are so close to Michigan point-wise that 2 computers switching to us or a few voters putting us at #2 will have us in the BC championship game.

Some style points vs. Notre Dame do not hurt.

What kind of school Tasers its own students?!?!

2006-11-17T02:21:00.000-08:00

I would like to take this moment to note that USC does not taser its own students. As a matter of fact each and every Trojan is treated with an equal amount of respect. I believe USC has the highest amount of foreign students of any university in the country. Shame on you fUCLA. that was ugla.

USC Haters....why?

2006-11-17T01:33:00.000-08:00

Great Article from Ted Miller at ESPN. I think it explains all the USC hatred around the country. I like us as comeback- underdogs this year. I think its hard for the rest of the country to understand that our team is almost entirely new so its not like we are being greedy :P

OSU-Mich

2006-11-16T02:46:00.000-08:00

As someone who grew up in "O!", "H!"....."I!","O!" and who obviously loves college football, this is about as exciting as it gets. It also goes without saying that I want what's best for USC in this game. Therefore, it is my hope that Ohio blows the shit out of Michigan and sends them spiralling towards #10 in the country.

Optimistic prediction:
Ohio State 42
Michigan 9

Also, it would be awesome to see USC in the BCS championship as an underdog (for once) against a mighty mighty Buckeye team.

FU Stewart Mandel!

2006-11-15T15:46:00.001-08:00

This drivel is going to bite you in the ass. Putting 2 SEC teams with mediocre performances ahead of USC will make you look bad next week.
Watch!

In all seriousness, Sportswriters are supposed to be able to figure out who is a better team because, a lot of times, college teams don't have the opportunity to play each other. However, in this particular case - Arkansas vs. USC - you DO have that luxury. And you still blow the call - your AP poll card is revoked just like the guy who forgot to watch the Oklahoma Texas Tech game.

"If I were to win a heisman..."

2006-11-15T04:44:00.000-08:00

OJ. Got to love him. Or I gues you could also despise and hate him. It is a tough call for any true Trojan fan. I mean you have to weigh the circumstances.

He DID kill 2 people out of jealousy (near Westwood...)
..but
He did also carry USC to victory against in that crazy game against UCLA in the late 60s.

He did get away with murder
...but
He is one of USC's Heisman Trophy winners

he's got a big head. but a cool nickname...

The back and forth could go on and on.

The reason this is coming up? Well Fox - the New York Post/National Enquirer of television networks and bringer of all things inflammatory, is having an interview with Simpson on how "he would have committed the murders - if he had done it - which he didn't - but if I had - and that glove I planted...which I didn't - there would be a lot of blood - which I don't know about."

anyway go Trojans. OJ why'd you have to do it? And how about staying out of the news for awhile?

2003 - > 2006

2006-11-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

Aresh Markazi, my favorite USC alum-sportswriter (how many are there?) pulls some knowledge from his school days in this article...I quoth:

"Carroll has often compared this year's team to the 2003 squad -- breaking in a new backfield that had lost the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and dealing with loss of more than 10 starters from the previous season -- and judging from the Trojans' recent surge in the BCS standings, the similarities don't stop with the players on the field. Consider this: When USC lost to unranked Cal on Sept. 27, 2003, the Trojans were ranked No. 3 in the polls and subsequently dropped to No. 10 behind seven undefeated teams. Within two weeks of the Trojans' loss to Cal, six teams above them lost, returning USC right back to where it was in the polls. During the course of the next nine weeks after the Trojans' loss, every team above them lost at least once, giving USC the No. 1 ranking by season's end."

By the way. I wonder if it is hard for someone to remain neutral after attending school in the news. I asked Kirk Herbstreet and his reply was "go Buckeys!"

Fox Sports Predicts USC in the BCS Championship with 3 games left!

2006-11-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

...remember they called bush in 2000...
OK - sorry. I hate The republicans/Bush/Foxnews as much as the next person (within 50 miles of an ocean) but fox does seem to pretty good with their predictions and today, Peter Fiutak predicts USC goes to the BCS Championship

to quote:

"Last Week's BCS Ranking: 7
USC made the most significant jump in the rankings leap-frogging Florida into the coveted number three spot. The ranking will only get better by winning out with Cal, Notre Dame and UCLA ahead, so even after the loss to Oregon State a few weeks ago, it appears to be a three-game season for a shot at the national title. While fourth in the Coaches' poll, the No. 3 ranking in the Harris Poll helps. Depending on how the Michigan — Ohio State game plays out, the Trojans might be a lock for the second spot in all the polls next week.
Predicted wins: California, Notre Dame, at UCLA
Predicted losses: None
Predicted record: 11-1
Predicted bowl: BCS Championship"

oh man oh man oh man....

Little video of pre-game Oregon..

2006-11-13T08:09:00.000-08:00

...USC is #3 Baby! Number 2 Monday morning!

Seriously tho - focus on Cal focus on Cal.

Oh man, what a weekend!

2006-11-13T01:06:00.000-08:00

So, wow! What a weekend. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that Auburn, Texas and Louisville would all get hit this weekend?! USC, also showed its true form runing over the ranked Ducks. With a number 3 BCS ranking and Florida playing 2 shit teams to close out the year - Western Carolina - I thought there was only north and south! and Florida State -which just got shut out by WAKE FORREST!

My concern now lies with Rudgers - who would have thought that! This cindarella team has captured the hearts and minds of New York and I am worried that if they beat WVa, they are going to be put in the title game. Most Pundits seem rational about it now tho and say they should be happy with their BCS birth...we'll see in a few weeks.

The other outside chance between USC's straight shot at the BCS title game is if the Ohio - Michigan game is so close and the pollsters want a rematch. I think this is highly unlikely - especially with a strong USC waiting in the wings.

Oh, I guess USC could lose one of hteir last 3 games....but I don't see it, I just don't!

Replay officials were wrong at the Rose bowl

2006-11-11T02:33:00.000-08:00

OK, I said earlier I said that Boob Stoops should stop his bitching about the replay officials in the Oregon game. Well, as Karma usually does, I've been thrown for a loop. Apparantly, Yahoo Sports (the same people who broke open the Reggie Bush scandal, have brought us the news that The replay officials in the Rose Bowl were fed the wrong feeds and would have ruled Vince Young down and perhaps wouldn't have called Reggies a lateral... And perhaps, just perhaps USC would have won the national championship?

Nah, not gonna jump on this one, although why not just feed the replay offiicials the Network news feed where we can see 20 different angles at home? Eh, whatever.

-Thanks for the heads up Travis

Gene Woja...

2006-11-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

OK. Glad to know the pundits are on the same page as me. There are about 7 teams still in the running for the BCS title game. Louiseville ain't one of em.

OK. now go beat Oregon (4am Paris time - who makes these schedules?!)

Terrell Thomas lights fire

2006-11-06T02:56:00.000-08:00

11 asses burned. Well done.

Out of what seems like no where, cornerback Terrell Thomas has made a huge statement and has emerged as USC defense's much-needed leader. After a speech on Friday, Thomas delivered one of the great performances of the season on special teams and defense with an interception, a huge sack and blocked field goal kick for a 71 yard touchdown. Well done and keep an eye on him.

I feel much better about SC's chances now and look forward to seeing Thomas' performance against the Ducks.

Step one, get rid of Teneessee

2006-11-06T02:21:00.000-08:00

USC Began their assention back into the BCS title game this weekend by beating Stanford soundly - which should've been a forgone conclusion.

Additionally, Tennessee, one of the teams ahead of SC got beat. So did Boston College but they'd never get put into the title game anyway - even undefeated. Now there are just a few SEC teams, Texas, and Louisville. Here's why we still have a good shot:

SEC Teams: only 1 SEC team will be in the championship game. Who is the best SEC team? Ask CNNSI and they will tell you its Arkansas - the very same team USC killed to start the season. If they win out and capture the SEC title game, no SEC team can be ranked ahead of them. NONE. However, USC will be ranked ahead of them if they win out based on their head to head drubbing of the mightiest SEC team. Therefore, you can stop worrying about the SEC. Go Mustain!

Louiseville. 2 things here:
1. Rutgers. Thursday is going to be the biggest game in Rudgers history since the #2 (out of 2) Scarlet Knights played #1 Princeton in the 1st college football game. ITs been a long way baby! Anyway hopefully Rudgers beat them. Most of my friends from Rudgers (who can even believe they are ranked) are quick to point out that they've sucked since that fateful Princeton game). If Rudgers wins, I give my heisman vote to Ray Rice.
2. Louisville plays an incredibly weak schedule. They looked good against the Mountaineers but their defense would get killed by a top 10 team. Most pundits agree. But we'll see - if they win out, itsw hard to put a one loss team ahead of them.
did I say go Rudgers yet?

Texas, man I hate them... Guess what. They will play Nebraska in the Big 12 title game. Payback is a bitch. Great game...if Texas gets back to the BCS title game, I will kill.

Video of Marc Tyler

2006-11-06T02:18:00.000-08:00

USC's highly touted RB prospect - a small glipse of things to come

1st Touchdown of Stanford game

2006-11-06T02:12:00.000-08:00

On 4th and one...from some dude in the stands with a camera phone

I wish we could have won by more....

USC Loses to Oregon State. OK so what next?

2006-10-29T02:05:00.000-08:00

Alright time to pick yourself off of the pavement. This was tough. But I think there are some very good things to look forward to. And our BCS chances are not gone...as a matter of fact, I think if we win out we have as good a chance as anyone. Let's go down the top 12 Ranked teams and disect why each one could be overcome:

1. Ohio State/ 2. Michigan - one goes down in the final game of the season. Even if its super close, one will fall to #3 or worse if there is a solid team waiting to take over the #3 spot.

3. USC 11-1 - imagine us here if we beat Cal, Notre Dame, Oregon in succesive weeks

4. West Virginia (Losses to either Loisville or Rutgers knock them out for the count

5. Texas - Big 12 Title game (vs. Nebraska?) or sooner. Can't keep getting lucky against conference midlevels. Why does that sound familiar?

6. Louisville losses to either WV or Rutgers. Not unheard of this year. Their computer ranking is going to suck no matter what.

7. Auburn - They keep barely beating SEC shit teams (OLE MISS?!?!) the pollsters will finally put them where they belong - behind Arkansas.

8. Tennessee - They are a solid team. But not that solid. They can lose any of their final games pretty easily.

9. Florida Loss SEC title game (vs. Arkansas hopeully) if not sooner

10. Clemson- Already Dead

11. Notre Dame - All wins except USC from Here on out
12. California - All wins except USC from Here on out
13. Arkansas - All wins except USC from Here on out

None of these things is very unlikely, however all of them happeneing AND USC winning out isn't. But its still there. So we have something to look forward to. And this season is just starting to get good!

A must read for all ND haters...(like me):

2006-10-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

An explanation for Weis on why ND got passed in polls

BCS - and the bad news..

2006-10-23T01:15:00.000-07:00

So the news is out that Michigan jumped USC in the polls this week. USC must have done something wrong in the bye week to deserve this. Most of you are saying who the f@#k cares, OSU and Mich play each other and the loser will drop out.

The streak man, the streak. USC has been ranked in the top 2 of the BCS for over 2 years. OK. I'm petty.

Also, for the record, I don't think West virginia is going to win out....

Leinart picked (way) below where he should have gone?

2006-10-21T03:12:00.000-07:00

Tim Laydon in CNNSI questions why Leinart went so low in the draft. An obvious mistake if you look how he's playing for St. Louis.

"If only the pundits and at least nine NFL teams only understood last April that Matt Leinart didn't win all those games at USC with a weak arm or a weak stomach. Leinart, cool five o'clock shadow and cool entourage in waiting, was allowed to drift embarrassingly close to the middle of the first round because it had been determined by the draft machinery that he lacked arm strength, foot speed and some other intangibles (toughness, intelligence ... which of these things had Leinart not proven over and over again at USC?) of some sort.

Two recollections: First time I talked to Leinart. He was a couple weeks shy of his first start as a sophomore at USC. Taking over for Carson Palmer, Leinart was walking into the plains of Auburn, untested, thrown to the Tigers. I talked to him and he was as cool and confident as he is today. Didn't seem to mean much at the time, but you look back and there you go. It was no act.

Right after Leinart's senior year, I spent time with USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow. We watched some of USC's dismantling of Oklahoma in the national championship game and Chow, who would soon leave for the NFL, raved about Leinart's progress as a quarterback. Still, nine teams saw a weak-armed Cali-boy.

If only we in the media -- and that's all media -- were a little more patient and not so quick to build and then jump on bandwagons, we might see the flaws in early-season flashes."

Displaced Trojan....great blogpost

2006-10-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to check the picture at the bottom. :D

Interview with Jarrett on record touchdown

2006-10-20T08:06:00.001-07:00

His heart is in the right place.

2006-10-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Good to see some campus shots as well.

Fight on the bye week.

Matt Leinart's 1st Pro Touchdown

2006-10-19T06:02:00.000-07:00

I gave it to Reggie so I got to give it to Matt (Reggie's was more exciting)

Stewey! You are so Bi

2006-10-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

..Polar

from the article:
Why do you write an inordinate amount about USC? I don't read your column (gotta be honest, I don't have much respect for sportswriters), but every other time I notice your column it's about USC -- they're the greatest ever, they're terrible, they're not cheating, etc. Did you go there or something?
-- Jason Deegan, Marietta, Ga.

OK, since you asked so nicely and since you showed such admiration for me and my profession, I'll let you in on a little secret: I'm a maniacal USC fan.

Stewy, you just can't stand it that a California team continues to rule college football, can you? USC is 6-0. They've won two national titles in the last four years and finished No. 2 and No. 3 in the other two years. Deal with it, Mandel. Deal with it.
-- Larry the Big Man, Gary, Ind.

I'm sorry, Larry, I can't. I just hate USC so much.

Some good footage and interview...well..no judgement here

2006-10-18T05:43:00.000-07:00

Homework time kids...

2006-10-18T05:22:00.000-07:00

For those of you looking forward to the games ahead, please to be enjoying a relatively small download of the Cal vs. Oregon State game torrent played a few weeks back. Yes Cal looks great and Oregon State looks bad.

"This was like [Fuckin'] Mortal Kombat, Its fatality time [, bitches]"

2006-10-18T01:04:00.000-07:00

CNNSI's (and USC Alumni)Arash Markazi, delves deep into the interworkings of USC's huddle on their final drive of their game against Arizona St. Apparantly C-Wash and Ryan Kalil made a pact in Blood that they were gonna take it down the field.

Sounds plausible.

Markazi goes on to drop a bunch of celebrity names and devolve the article into how he hangs out near cool people. Who knew?

But make no mistake: Leinart's still aces.

2006-10-18T00:30:00.000-07:00

Justin Doom over at CNNSI has plenty of good things to say about Matt Leinart

If anyone saw the Monday Night Football game they understand that the Cardinals are chokers in the biggest way but obviously have a bright future ahead of them. Matt's game was superb against the best defense in the league and if it weren't for stupid mistakes would have won the game. As SC fans, we know he's got skills. I am glad to see him doing well in the NFL.

2005 Notre Dame Game Torrent

2006-10-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

Get Some

BCS, BCS, BCS

2006-10-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

Unless you've been hiding out under a rock (or internetless in Paris) you know that this years 1st BCS rankings came out on Sunday and yes USC is #2. Ohio State and Michigan who play each other the final week of the season are # 1 and 3 respectively so that means USC, if they can win out, have a direct shot at the National Chamionship.

Now you MAY recall that USC has had some somewhat lackluster performances over poor teams over the past few weeks. The pollsters have really come down hard on them. But not the Computers (I love technology). Thanks to USC's "toughest schedule in the nation" we ranked #1 in 4 of the Computer polls and 2nd in the other. As long as USC wins out, nothing can change that. No matter if the game is a blowout or a cliffhanger.

So will USC win out? A resounding no from the pollsters.

For me, if the team that played the 1st quarter vs. Arizona St. shows up, I'll see you at the BCS championship!

And one more thing!

IF USC loses to Cal...the computers would still have USC #2...who would have to lose for us to still not make the BCS finals?
Cal probably. Auburn? no. We kicked Ark. they got kicked by them. Florida? Nope - strength of schedule. W. Virginia - they are gonna have trouble with Rutgers and Louisville....who are shit teams. Wouldn't hurt for Ark. to win the SEC title - go HOGS!

You heard it hear 1st. USC goes into the national title with one loss vs. M...no I won't say it!

Stuart Mandel's "What's wrong with USC"

2006-10-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

Oh Stuey! You did your homework. Yes there are plenty of things not going right with USC and you've looked at them all here.

If I may, however, I would like to point out some big picture items:
1. USC has the toughest schedule in the country
2. Every team that plays against USC is playing their game of the year
3. USC is 5-0 after losing more talent than most College football teams see in 10 years.
4. Pete Carroll always has his teams prepared to win.
5. Even though they are young the team knows how to win and what is on the line.

So will it be surprising to see Ohio State/Michigan vs. USC for the national championship?
Answer:No

Reggie Bush's 1st Pro touchdown

2006-10-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

Reggie! Reggie!

I think the Onion put it best but yes Reggie scored his 1st NFL Touchdown in grand fashioned winning the game for the Saints.

Memories :')

Washington - USC Game Torrent

2006-10-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

As promised, I have discovered last weeks Washinton-USC Game on Bittorrent. I know it ain't pretty, but its less stressful when you know how its going to come out. Now, anyone able to find the Trojan Rewinds?