i n s i d e u s c . c o m

Trojans Moving on to the NFL

2006-04-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to USC's two most recent Heisman Trophy winners, Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, who were selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Bush was picked by New Orleans, while Leinart was chosen by Arizona.

In the second round, Winston Justice (Philadelphia), Deuce Lutui (Arizona) and LenDale White (Tennessee) were selected.

In the third round, Frostee Rucker (Cincinnati) and Dominique Byrd (St. Louis) were drafted.

The Oakland Raiders selected Darnell Bing in the fourth round and announced that they plan to convert him to linebacker. In the fifth round, the Seattle Seahawks picked David Kirtman.

LaJaun Ramsey was drafted by the Eagles in the sixth round and Fred Matua was selected by the Lions in the seventh.

For CSTV: Jordan Farmar and Nick Young

2006-02-18T01:40:00.000-08:00

We just finished a video report on two of the best college basketball players in Los Angeles, UCLA's Jordan Farmar and USC's Nick Young. (The Trojans host UCLA at the Sports Arena on Sunday.)

The piece was done for CSTV, a cable network owned by CBS that covers college sports.

Watch the video

Another Trojan to Leave?

2006-01-18T22:53:00.000-08:00

With the deadline for players to declare themselves eligible for the NFL Draft having just passed, it would appear that the Trojans are done suffering defections for a while.

But InsideUSC has learned that the UCLA football program is trying to entice USC linebackers coach Ken Norton to return to his alma mater and coach the Bruins.

On Tuesday, UCLA head coach Karl Dorrell fired defensive coordinator Larry Kerr, who also served as the team's linebackers coach.

A source close to the program said that four former Bruins have contacted Norton to lobby him to move across town. Were Norton to return to UCLA, it would likely be as linebackers coach and not defensive coordinator.

But first, Dorrell would have to mend some fences. In recent years, he and Norton haven't even been on speaking terms.

The two played together at UCLA from 1984-86, and Norton pushed the athletic department to hire his former teammate and showed up at the press conference where Dorrell was announced as the new head coach to show his support.

After the hire, Norton approached Dorrell several times about joining the UCLA coaching staff. Each time, he was turned down.

Norton then contacted USC coach Pete Carroll, whom he played for with the San Francisco 49ers. Carroll offered him a position as a graduate assistant. When Dorrell found out, he tried to counter by offering the same at UCLA. But it was too late.

"I gave them every opportunity to let them know what I felt and let them know what I wanted to do, and they weren't receptive," Norton told the Pasadena Star News in a 2004 interview. "It was up to them. I let them know that I was available, and it was up to them to make a decision. It didn't work out."

"I let [Dorrell] know that I was interested in coaching, and it was up to him to decide what was available for me," Norton said. "He knew that I was available."

Houston is on the Clock

2006-01-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

Click to watch Reggie Bush's press conference

No Surprise: Bush to go Pro

2006-01-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

At a 10:30 am news conference tomorrow in USC's Heritage Hall, Reggie Bush will announce that he's foregoing his senior season to make himself eligible for the 2006 NFL Draft.

Post Game Radio Interview

2006-01-05T13:15:00.000-08:00

Reaction to the Rose Bowl:

Nathan Gotsch on AOL's Sports Bloggers Live

Bush Knows Texas Tax Code

2006-01-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

Click to watch Reggie Bush discuss the Houston Texans

On Sunday night the USC Trojans took part in their half of the annual Beef Bowl at Lawry's the Prime Rib restaurant in Beverly Hills. Each year, Lawry's separately hosts the teams in the Rose Bowl for a complimentary prime rib dinner, a tradition going back 50 years.

Before the event, Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush spoke to the media about the results of the so-called "Bush Bowl," the game between the two worst teams in the NFL. The loser of that game, the Houston Texans, got the first pick in April's NFL Draft, which many predict they'll use on Bush if he declares himself eligible after the Rose Bowl.

Bush said the fact that the Texans have the top pick won't influence his decision whether to turn pro, but he did say he was familiar with the team. "I do know a lot about the Houston Texans."

When pressed to elaborate, Bush spoke of his familiarity with the state's financial regulations. "I know Texas doesn't have [personal] state [income] tax."

Bush reiterated that he's still undecided about turning pro. "I haven't made my decision yet," he said. "I've talked to people. As of right now, I'm focused on [the Rose Bowl] and helping us with this game. It's a big game. We've got our work cut out for us."

Bush did say that the outcome of the Rose Bowl would not affect his decision. "No, not at all."

VIDEO: Watch Reggie Bush discuss the Houston Texans (QuickTime)

Trojans Ring in New Year Together

2005-12-31T18:15:00.000-08:00

Much like last year in Miami, the USC Trojan football team will welcome the new year together in the team hotel, which this year is the Park Hyatt in Century City.

The gathering will be limited to team members only, but each has been allowed to invite one guest.

The festivities begin at 9 pm and go until 1 am, which is also the team curfew.

Alcohol will not be served at the party.

Fun in the Mud

2005-12-31T17:06:00.000-08:00

On Saturday afternoon the USC Trojans got a chance to practice in the kind of wet, muddy conditions they might see if the rain some have forecasted for January 4th comes to pass.

Rather than fret about the very un-Southern California playing conditions, the Trojans reveled in what turned into an afternoon of playing in the mud.

The rain kept many family, friends and fans at home, thinning out what was becoming quite a crowd at practice each day. Still, several braved the elements, including relatives of offensive linemen Sam Baker, Fred Matua and Ryan Kalil. After practice the players met with them before boarding charter buses to head back to the team hotel in Century City.

Trojan Pep Rally

2005-12-31T16:44:00.000-08:00

"It was electrifying."

That's how one Trojan fan described the pep rally held for the USC football team Friday night at the Grove in front of a stage assembled especially for the event. The festivities began at 6:30 in the middle of the open-air shopping mall located at the corner of Third and Fairfax Streets just a few blocks south of Hollywood.

The Spirit of Troy, USC's marching band, opened the festivities with several of their signature songs, starting out with "Tusk," the Fleetwood Mac song they were featured in back in 1979.

One of the speakers, City Councilman Tom LaBonge, said after his speech that though he thought the Trojans would win, he wasn't going to guess the final score. "I don't predict scores, I only pick winners." The fourth district representative did note that he thought that "the Trojans are the best coached team in America."

The pep rally virtually shut down movement within the Grove, making many shoppers who were uninterested in USC football more than a little upset.

Those trying to make their way through the packed sidewalks were visibly frustrated, pushing and shoving to try to get past the glut of fans. One family with two small boys was forced to make a hand-holding train in order to navigate the sea of people, and at one point the father sternly told another woman, "Stop pushing," after he noticed her shoving his sons.

But while shoppers were trying to navigate through all the Trojan fans, the football team was nowhere to be found. Instead, they were bowling at the Lucky Strike Lanes in Hollywood, an official event that is part of the lead-up to the Rose Bowl.

An Update

2005-12-31T16:40:00.000-08:00

We took some time off for the holidays, but we're back and looking forward to posting lots of information about the USC Trojans as they prepare for the Rose Bowl.

Thanks for your patience. We look forward to continuing to bring you coverage of the team you can't find anywhere else.

Volume 103, Issue 25

2005-12-22T01:37:00.000-08:00

"Skulking Around Longhorn Country"

2005-12-22T01:20:00.000-08:00

From Tuesday's Austin American-Statesman:

Is she a spy? A double-agent? A burgeoning Trojan fan site, Inside USC, is co-authored by - get this - an Austinite. Alexis Jones, a communications grad student at USC, is a 2001 Westlake High graduate with a father, a mother and two grandparents who graduated from UT. But she's also buddies with USC quarterback Matt Leinert [sic] and was among the small group partying with him after the Heisman festivities 10 days ago. Home for the holidays, she's been skulking around Longhorn Country, feeding the Web site. Look out.

The Nominations Are In

2005-12-21T10:40:00.000-08:00

We've been nominated for a Sports Blog Award as one of the best college football blogs of 2005. Here are a list of the nominees:

Every Day Should Be Saturday

MGoBlog

The Wizard of Odds

Fan Blogs

Sexy Results!

Inside USC

Bevo Sports

Trojan Wire

We encourage you to check out all these blogs and go vote for the one you think is the best.

Reporting from Austin: Getting the Longhorns to LA

2005-12-20T17:48:00.000-08:00

Before second-ranked Texas can take on USC in the Rose Bowl on January 4th, they have to get everyone to Pasadena.

On December 28th, the team will fly from Austin to Los Angeles. "We'll take a party of about 400 people, including players, coaches, support staff and family and members of the Longhorn Foundation," said Ed Goble, the university's associate athletic director for business affairs who is supervising the trip.

Another 430 band members will also be flown out for the Rose Bowl festivities, putting the University in charge of making travel arrangements for nearly 900 people.

Communication is the key to making it all happen. "It's hard when you have that many people you are in charge of," said Goble, who added that he's got a lot of support and, "doesn't have to get caught up in all the details."

This year, the UT players will be staying in the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. The band members will be hosted at a separate, less expensive facility.

"The travel budget for UT this year comes to approximately $2.5 million," said Goble. The majority of that money comes from a travel allowance and the remaining from ticket sales.

But Goble doesn't just have to get the people associated with the football program out to LA. "We move our whole operation out there on an 18-wheeler," he said. The truck carries football and office equipment. "We basically set up football practices and an entire operations office in Pasadena."

Goble said the fact that this is the Longhorns' second consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl makes things easier. "It's virtually an identical process to last year, only we don't have to go through the same learning curve," he said. "It's easier because of the familiarity for both the coaches and the players."

But last year's Rose Bowl didn't double as the National Championship game, and Goble said he expects a different attitude from everyone this time around. "I think they will be more business-like because they know what they stand to lose with a championship game."

Because the game is on January 4th, the team will be able to ring in the New Year -- with limits. "The players do have some liberty at night," said Goble, "but there are two types of control the coaches are using. They have curfews and early morning practices on New Year's Day." Goble said he didn't expect any problems. "The kids are pretty business-like," he reiterated.

Still, Goble said the Longhorns will be enjoying their time in Southern California.

"Austin doesn't have the same star power of Los Angeles, so this is a big deal for us."

College Football Fans Doing Good

2005-12-19T11:35:00.000-08:00

Late last week, we received an email from former USC All-American tennis player Eric Amend pointing us to the following story on ESPN.com:

Twelve-year-old Nikolette Harris' favorite sport is soccer. Her favorite college is Oregon State. But as the little girl lays in a Portland, Ore., intensive care unit, fighting leukemia for a third time, her likes and dislikes are quickly starting to change.

That's because of the swell of support she's receiving from college football fans across the country.

Nikolette suffers from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common cancer found in children. According to the National Cancer Institute, 80 percent of children afflicted with ALL will recover from the disease. But Nikolette has already done this. Twice.

Problem is, Nikolette's body has grown resistant to chemotherapy treatments and she needs a life-saving bone marrow transplant. But the cost to her family -- after insurance -- is expected to top $125,000.

"That's where the fundraising comes into play," said Marc Harris, Nikolette's father. "We have to find some way to pay for this."

Her family has started a Web site. Her middle school has hosted crafts sales, bake sales. And at her former elementary school, the Nickels for Nikolette campaign has brought in more than $2,000.

But that's nothing compared to what's happening on college football message boards across the country. In a place where most fans gather to complain about play calls, gripe about coaches, gossip about recruiting and trash upcoming opponents, fans have gathered to try and help save a little girl's life.

It all started on the Oregon message board, EDuck.com, where Susan Flad, a longtime Ducks fan, posted a message explaining Nikolette's story and asking for donations. Flad's mother, Betty Holden, was an instructional assistant at Nikolette's elementary school, watching up close as the child battled leukemia as a first- and third-grader.

"I still remember my Mom talking to me [about her] trying to keep from crying as this third-grader explained what chemo was, why she was bald and everything else," Flad said. "So I wanted to help. When I originally tried to gather donations in my office I got a total of five dollars. So I thought I'd give this a whirl."

The idea took off, with Oregon fans donating more than $4,000 in less than a week. Another fan saw the posting and, with the Ducks scheduled to face Oklahoma in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl on Dec. 29, challenged Oklahoma fans to beat Oregon's donations. After 14,000 page views and 225 posts on OUInsider.com, Flad said Sooner fans have raised close to $12,000 for Nikolette.
"Their site gets a little more traffic than we do," she explained.

Subsequent requests have been posted on message boards for Auburn, Alabama, Mississippi State, Nebraska and Texas. The word has even spread to Holiday Bowl officials, who have granted the family a 20-second spot during the game to thank the fans of both schools for their donations.

"It's just amazing," Marc Harris said. "Simply amazing. I can't believe all these complete strangers who are helping us out of the kindness of their heart. I can't begin to express my appreciation enough. I never thought something like this could happen."

At a time where most of the conversation surrounding the Holiday Bowl is how 10-1 Oregon got cheated out of a spot in the BCS, few outside of the message board world have any idea how much a core group of Oregon fans are actually grateful that they're going to the Holiday Bowl and playing the Sooners.

"One Sooner fan told me that they remember how generous people were during the Oklahoma City bombing and that this is their turn to give back," Flad said. "It's just heartwarming this time of the year. The family appreciates it."

And a sick little girl in intensive care is starting to gain an appreciation for college football. Especially for Oregon, Oklahoma, Auburn, Mississippi State and the rest of the fan bases that have stepped forward to support her. Each day that Nikolette is up for it, her father prints out the various entries from the guestbook on her Web site, www.curenikolette.org and blows his daughter away with the nationwide support.

Can't wait to see you cheering for the Ducks on the sidelines in a few years. Although, we would gladly take you too. Boomer Sooner

Hi Nikolette!!! We are praying for you and know that God is going to take care of you. War Eagle and Merry Christmas from the Auburn Tigers!!!

Hello Nikolette, I am a Bulldog from Mississippi State and I want you to know that my wife and I are praying for you and your recovery. Please keep the faith!

"She's a ways from college yet," Harris said. "But she's been saying to me now, 'What about Mississippi State? And Alabama? Oklahoma? Oregon?' This has opened her eyes to a whole new world."

Hopefully, it's only the beginning.

Wayne Drehs is a staff writer for ESPN.com. He can be reached at wayne.drehs@espn3.com.

Donations for Cure Nikolette can be made at www.curenikolette.org.

EXCLUSIVE: Two Longhorns Under Investigation

2005-12-16T15:36:00.000-08:00

Earlier today, the Austin (TX) Police Department issued the following statement:

The Austin Police Department is currently investigating two alleged criminal misconducts; an aggravated assault and a robbery by assault that occurred within the Downtown Area Command. These incidents occurred on September 4th and December 10th. Information obtained indicates that the individuals being investigated in these incidents are involved in the UT athletics program. Due to the fact that these cases are still being investigated, APD cannot provide additional information.

InsideUSC.com has learned from sources familiar with the investigation that the unnamed individuals are Cedric Griffin and Ramonce Taylor, both members of the University of Texas football team.

Cedric Griffin

Griffin, a senior cornerback projected by NFL.com's Gil Brandt as a first-day pick in next April's NFL Draft, can also play safety. He tallied 73 tackles, two forced fumbles and 14 passes broken up this season and was selected as a first team All-Big 12 performer. Against Texas A&M he returned a punt for a touchdown.

Ramonce Taylor

Taylor, a sophomore running back who earlier nicknamed himself Reggie Bush Jr., shares time in the backfield with Jamaal Charles, Selvin Young and Henry Melton. His 7.0 yards per carry average and 12 touchdowns this season earned him All-Big 12 honorable mention honors.

According to Austin Police Department incident reports, at 3:06 a.m. on September 4th, officers were dispatched to investigate an assault involving an automatic handgun. Texas defeated Louisiana-Lafayette in Austin earlier that evening.

On December 10th, police responded to a call at 2:59 a.m. regarding an attempted robbery by assault in which a suspect used his hands, fist or feet to assault a victim. The incident occurred at 500 E. Seventh Street, near Austin's popular Sixth Street district.

A News 8 Austin report that doesn't identify the players being investigated describes the incidents in more detail:

Sources tell us that the victims are telling police they were downtown when they were beaten up and robbed of their money.

There have been no arrests and no indictments in the investigations, but the cases have been turned over to the district attorney's office for further review.

UPDATE: Former Travis County district attorney Ken Oden confirmed to ESPN's Joe Schad on Friday night that cornerback Cedric Griffin is one of the players being investigated, as we had reported earlier in the day.

"I have agreed to advise Cedric Griffin although no criminal charges have been filed against him. He is the subject of an investigation -- and I stress it is an investigation," Oden told Schad. "I believe no charges will be filed against him. They're saying this is assault and robbery, and it sounds hideous, but this is a trash-talking incident on the street involving Cedric and that's it. I know this is a big game and they're focused on it. But in fairness to Cedric, this was nothing more than a verbal incident in as much as it involves Cedric."

Schad's story was filed several hours after our initial report naming Griffin and Taylor.

Saturday's edition of the San Antonio Express-News contains an article listing Taylor as the second player being investigated.

MORE: Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds issued the following statement late Friday night:

"We were surprised by the APD release of allegations concerning one or more of our student-athletes. We have followed up on the rumors that we are hearing and spoken with the two student-athletes who are alleged to be under investigation. Within the limited time we had this evening, we have gathered as much information as possible. Based upon what we know at this time we have no reason to believe that the University or the athletic department need to take any action. We will continue to monitor the matter, and we will cooperate fully with those who are conducting the investigation."

UPDATE: From Sunday's Dallas Morning News:

Austin attorney Ken Oden [who is advising the two Texas players] said he believes Griffin and Taylor have been questioned by the Austin Police Department in connection with the alleged Sept. 4 incident simply to elicit information about a separate possible suspect.

"To my knowledge, the suspect in the Sept. 4 matter is not a football player," Oden said. "The people being asked questions with regard to that alleged incident are football players and non-football players who might have information with regard to that incident."

Oden said he is concerned about what has been reported after a statement released Friday by the Austin Police Department.

The release said individuals "in the UT athletics program" were being investigated in connection with an aggravated assault involving an automatic handgun on Sept. 4 and in connection with an assault and robbery in the Sixth Street area on Dec. 10.

No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made. Police are declining further comment until an investigation is complete. UT officials have said they plan to take no action against any student-athlete based on the information they have.

Oden said Griffin and Taylor are in no way connected to the Sept. 4 matter but were both on Sixth Street in the early hours of Dec. 10, after the Texas football banquet. At about 3 a.m. on Dec. 10, according to police, a person was punched, kicked and robbed.

Oden said the alleged incident was nothing more than a "testosterone-charged moment of trash talk." Police are investigating whether Griffin was asking people on the street for $5 for pizza and whether a group of men who came across Griffin took offense to it.

MORE: From the Austin-American Statesman:

Lawyer Ken Oden, who is representing tailback Ramonce Taylor and cornerback Cedric Griffin, said Austin police told him that they have ended their investigation and are planning no arrests.

The case may now be reviewed by the Travis County district attorney's office, Oden said in a statement.

UPDATE: Not so fast, according to the LA Daily News:

Police spokeswoman Toni Chovonetz said Monday the investigation remains open and declined further comment.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

2005-12-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

From Friday's Austin American-Statesman:

It's been widely reported how quarterback Vince Young all but guaranteed a win over USC as he was being interviewed by a reporter from the New York Post. His "gangsta" comments have made the rounds as well.

Meanwhile, defensive tackle Rod Wright's quotes also have made the USC fan site bulletin boards. Wright wasn't bragging when he made the statement that Texas was preparing for the Rose Bowl with the idea of dominating. He said the Longhorns mentally prepare for every game this way, whether it's Rice or Southern Cal.

USC Coach Pete Carroll addressed the Texas quotes this week during the Trojans awards banquet.

According to bloggers for insideusc.com who attended the banquet, Carroll said: "They talk like they ain't been here before."

Former Trojans Killed in Crash

2005-12-15T12:45:00.000-08:00

Darrell Russell

1976 - 2005

Mike Bastianelli

1976 - 2005

Rumored Leinart Incident Never Happened

2005-12-14T20:57:00.000-08:00

Matt Leinart and Billy Hart, a former USC quarterback and third baseman drafted by the Houston Astros earlier this year, mug for the camera at Marquee on Saturday night. (Submitted photo)

Earlier today, many sports websites -- including Sports Illustrated, Deadspin, Ben Maller and several team-specific blogs -- received the same email. It contained two photos of Matt Leinart and a young woman and the following second-hand story:

So [Sunday] morning, my friend calls me and says “Do you know some guy named Matt Line Hart?” I laugh and say yeah and don’t bother to correct her. She says, well he was at Marquee last night, and hit on one of the girls from texas all night, danced with her, and then was so drunk he groped her … she turned around and slapped him, and left.

But that alleged incident never happened.

"She didn't slap me," said Leinart in an exclusive interview. "And I didn't grope her."

We find ourselves in the unique position of being able to corroborate Leinart's statement, as we were with him and his friends all night. So was Sports Illustrated writer Arash Markazi.

"I saw her," said Markazi. "He didn't do anything wrong. And there was no slapping."

Markazi said it would have been impossible for the incident described to occur without everyone knowing something happened. "If Matt Leinart got slapped, there would have been a scene. There would have been a big commotion."

Markazi said that it was actually Leinart who was under assault all night. "Once everyone found out he was there, they all swarmed."

But Leinart was there to enjoy the evening with his friends, not looking to meet girls. "One tried coming on to him," said Markazi, "and he just kind of turned his back on her."

Still, Leinart made an effort to be courteous to those who approached him. "He was just trying to mind his own business and be nice to people," said Markazi. "He was very cordial, shook their hand and took a picture if they asked for one. He didn't 'big time' anyone."

Leinart said that's what happened with the woman in the photos, who wanted a picture with him. "I was just trying to be nice."

Those photos, which were attached to the email sent out to those websites by the third party, hardly confirm the groping claims.

"I just laugh at this," said Leinart, no stranger to the perils of celebrity. "I mean, come on, I have a girlfriend I love."

As for all the commotion that the photos caused? Leinart's not fazed. "If someone's trying to get five minutes of attention, it's just funny to me."

"I have more important things to think about," he said, referencing his preparation for the Rose Bowl.

Behind the Scenes: 2005 Awards Banquet

2005-12-14T00:14:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Gridskipper

"The last couple weeks I've been to about 12 banquets," said Reggie Bush, "and this is by far the best one."

The Heisman Trophy winner was talking about the annual USC football awards banquet, held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on Tuesday night.

Marcus Allen, the last USC running back to win the Heisman prior to Bush, served as master of ceremonies for the event.

Allen told the audience that he called to leave a congratulatory voice mail on Bush's cell phone during his Heisman acceptance speech, but when Bush started to break down, Allen had to stop talking for a moment because he started to do the same. "I didn't want one Heisman winner to hear another Heisman winner [cry]," he said.

After Allen's introduction, coach Pete Carroll strode up to the podium. "Why would we not want to have a great time tonight?" he asked the crowd.

"It has been a most dramatic season. Our team has really been put to the test," said Carroll. "There has to be some magic somewhere to [go undefeated]." He mentioned the last play of the Notre Dame game, where Bush pushed Leinart into the end zone. "Great ad lib, Reg," he said. "Way to go. Beautiful thing."

Carroll also spent much of the evening needling Matt Leinart, complaining that he was throwing the ball "all over the world" against UCLA, and that his star quarterback was "hard to take care of. Very needy. Very needy." Then the coach grinned. "You know I love you, Matt."

Carroll, who has been on the road recruiting nearly non-stop since the UCLA game, laughed at the idea that he and his staff deserved a break. ""Hell no, we ain't gonna take a break. There's too many good football players out there that need our attention so we can recruit 'em."

Later in the evening, Carroll's attention turned to the upcoming Rose Bowl matchup with Texas. "We've got a little bit more business left," he said. As for the Longhorns recent comments in the media about the Trojans? "They talk like they ain't been here before," he said.

Allen was confident enough in his alma mater to predict a USC win. "I have no doubt that when the sun sets on the Rose Bowl on January 4th, the Trojans will be victorious."

At the end of the night, Leinart presented Bush with the team's most valuable player award, as voted on by the players. "I think you're the MVP," he told Bush. "I voted for you. I think you're the greatest player I've ever played with."

Bush thanked Leinart and revealed something everyone in attendance already knew.

"It's been an amazing last week."

2005 USC Football Banquet Awards

2005-12-13T23:50:00.001-08:00

Bob Chandler Award
awarded to an underclassman who exhibits great athletic ability, academic scholarship and character on and off the field
Ryan Kalil

Trojan Football Alumni Award
awarded to the player with the highest cumulative GPA on the team
Brandon Hancock

Harry & Marion Keiper USC Lifter of the Year Award
Deuce Lutui, Reggie Bush, Sam Baker

Chris Carlisle Courage Award
Scott Ware

Marv Goux Award
awarded to to the outstanding player in the USC - UCLA game
Reggie Bush

Theodore Gabrielson Award
awarded to to the outstanding player in the USC - Notre Dame game
Reggie Bush

John Dye Memorial Award
awarded to to the defensive and offensive linemen of the year
Lawrence Jackson, Deuce Lutui

Service Team Player of the Year Award
awarded to to the defensive and offensive service (scout) team players of the year
Mark Sanchez, Kaluka Maiava

Special Teams Player of the Year Award
Mario Danelo, Kaluka Maiava

Jack Oakie "Rise and Shine" Award
awarded to the player with the biggest hit or longest run
Reggie Bush

John McKay Scholarship Award
Rey Maualuga

Davis-Teschke Award
awarded to the most inspirational players
Frostee Rucker, Deuce Lutui

Mike McKeever Memorial Award
awarded to the most valuable player
Reggie Bush

Top Ten Perks of Winning the Heisman

2005-12-13T05:15:00.000-08:00

From last night's Late Show with David Letterman, delivered by Reggie Bush:

10. "Trophy can be used as ID at airports"

9. "Now when coach gives me pointers, I can say, 'And how many Heismans have you won?'"

8. "Lifetime supply of pigskin"

7. "Microchip in the trophy gets me through E-Z Pass"

6. "The trophy holds 10,000 songs"

5. "Now maybe someone on the team'll get a date besides pretty boy Matt Leinhart"

4. "Steinbrenner's trying to get me to sign with the Yankees"

3. "I now have the world's most valuable paperweight"

2. "Secret code for 'Madden NFL 2006' video game that lets me see John Madden naked"

1. "You're the only Bush with an approval rating over 40%"

Young a Sore Loser?

2005-12-12T10:07:00.000-08:00

There was only one person in the country who seemed surprised by Reggie Bush's Heisman win on Saturday: runner-up Vince Young.

"I'm just disappointed for my fans, especially for my teammates and my family for not representing them in the right way," he told reporters after the ceremony. "I feel like I let my guys down, let my family down, let the whole cities of Austin and Houston down."

When another reporter asked about whether his Heisman finish would impact his decision to stay in school or go pro, he refused to answer. "I don't know, man. I'm still upset."

Young's reaction to the results surprised many.

"I just can't see where he's coming from," third place finisher Matt Leinart said. "With all due respect, I think the votes spoke for themselves."

In fact, it appears that Young's comments have let down more people than did his second place finish, and one said that it was in what Young said -- and not his loss to Bush -- that he didn't represent his fans, teammates and family in the right way.

"I just wish [coach] Mack Brown had prepared him better for losing," said one Austin resident, a graduate of UT. "[Young] could have been a lot more graceful after Reggie won."

ALSO: Young guaranteed a Longhorns victory in the Rose Bowl over the weekend. At the Duke - Texas basketball game, a New York Post reporter asked him if he would be making a statement similar to Joe Namath's before Super Bowl III.

"Right now, yeah, I'm very confident about it," he said. "They [the Trojans] come in the game off a high winning streak, and everybody's blowing them up, you know, and they think we're the underdogs and we're not going to come to play. I know that we are. We're going to come to show them the Texas football team."

USC's Seventh Heisman Winner

2005-12-12T08:14:00.000-08:00

Tonight Heisman winner Reggie Bush will appear on Late Night with David Letterman to present the Top Ten list.

Behind the Scenes: Heisman After Party

2005-12-11T12:18:00.000-08:00

Last night the hottest ticket in New York was for the VIP room at Marquee -- in fact, it might have been one of the most difficult nights to get into the club since it opened two years ago.

The line of people waiting to get in was consistently fifty deep. One woman turned away at the door called a friend and complained, "I guess I don't look good enough to get in."

The reason everyone was trying to get in? There were two Heisman Trophy winners partying inside.

At two reserved tables in the VIP section upstairs, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush celebrated Bush's win with a small group of friends. Bush was joined by teammate LenDale White and Leinart partied with professional surfer Bron Heussenstamm, who was celebrating a birthday.

Bush, who won this year's Heisman by the largest margin in history, couldn't stop smiling. Throughout the night he and was bombarded with well-wishers, and made a point to thank each for their congratulations.

Even ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit stopped by to say hello to Bush and Leinart and compliment them on their seasons.

The party was still going strong when we left at 4:30 am, nearly eight hours after Bush was announced as the winner.

MORE: Rumored Leinart incident never happened

After the Heisman

2005-12-11T01:36:00.000-08:00

So Reggie Bush won the Heisman. Big surprise.

More important: where did Reggie go to celebrate his big win?

Only Marquee -- New York's hottest club -- located on 10th Avenue and 26th Street in the Chelsea district of Manhattan.

Also at the club helping Bush celebrate was 2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart.

Quite Frankly: Heisman Edition

2005-12-09T16:22:00.000-08:00

We were in the studio audience for today's "Quite Frankly" with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN. The topic of discussion? The Heisman Trophy, of course.

That's why former winners Desmond Howard (University of Michigan '91) and Eric Crouch (University of Nebraska '01) were on hand to handicap this year's race (Smith called it a "runaway") and discuss how Heisman winners have faired in the NFL.

Howard said it's no surprise that not every Heisman Trophy winner makes it in the National Football League. Some, like Jason White, suffered injuries in college and were "damaged goods" by the time they went pro. Others peaked too soon and still others just weren't good enough.

"The NFL is the crème de la crème," said Howard, who also was selected as the MVP of Super Bowl XXXI in 1997.

Howard backstage after the show

As for the votes he and Crouch have as former winners? Both said they cast their ballots for Bush.

"If he doesn't win," promised Howard, "I'll give him mine."

At Sports Illustrated

2005-12-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

Earlier this afternoon, we stopped by the Time & Life Building on Sixth Avenue to tour the offices of Sports Illustrated.

While there, we had a nice chat about the Heisman Trophy ceremony with Gene Menez, SI.com's resident Heisman pundit. Though he grew up in Texas, Menez, who is a Heisman voter, cast his ballot for USC's Reggie Bush. Additionally, he told us that he was a fan of our item on Luke Walton's ejection from the Coliseum last weekend.

We also met with SI writer Arash Markazi, a USC grad who was a bit jet-lagged, having just flown in from Phoenix after an interview with Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky.

Markazi showed us around the offices and introduced us to his friend and colleague Maggie Haskins, a former contestant on ESPN's Dream Job who now writes for SI.

Markazi and Haskins invited us to join them for lunch, and on the way to Rockefeller Center we bumped into 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard and former USC star Ricky Ervins. Howard was headed downtown to appear on Stephen A. Smith's "Quite Frankly" show on ESPN later that afternoon, and he invited us to stop by for the taping.

After lunch, Markazi and Haskins went back to the office, Markazi to write up his Gretzky story, while we headed downtown to check out Howard on "Quite Frankly."

Markazi shows off a basketball signed by Julius Erving he keeps at his desk

MORE: Whose Heisman is it? (SI.com)

A Lovely Day in NYC

2005-12-09T06:29:00.000-08:00

On the Ground: New York

2005-12-08T14:51:00.000-08:00

It's cold.

It's really cold.

But it's New York, so the excitement of the city trumps the windchill factor -- and that's a good thing, considering how sensitive some Southern Californians are temperatures below 65 degrees.

In addition to this weekend's college football festivities, today is the 25th anniversary of the assasination of John Lennon. We're staying just a few blocks south of the Dakota, the apartment building where he was gunned down in 1980, and fans have been making the trek to that now-hallowed ground to honor his legacy throughout the day.

As for the reason we're in town, most agree that Reggie Bush will be taking home this year's Heisman Trophy. The only question, says Kari Chisholm of handicapping website StiffArmTrophy.com,"is whether he will be the biggest winner of all time."

Glad to know there's still some drama left to salvage.

We've got a big day planned for tomorrow (and Saturday, obviously, as well), so keep checking back as we'll be posting photos and updates throughout the weekend.

USC's Heisman Finalists

2005-12-07T16:12:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, both named finalists for this year's Heisman Trophy.

NOTE: Tomorrow we'll be in New York to begin our Heisman coverage. Keep checking back for updates through the weekend.

UPDATE: We're in New York.

Luke Walton Thrown Out of UCLA Game

2005-12-06T18:30:00.000-08:00

There were plenty of famous faces on the sidelines for Saturday's USC - UCLA game, so it's not surprising that the story of what happened to Los Angeles Laker Luke Walton has yet to be reported.

Unlike the other notables in attendance, the son of UCLA legend Bill Walton did not have a pass to be on the sidelines, yet somehow he managed to watch much of the first half from the field.

Walton might have got away with it, too, if not for a group of USC students led by senior Margaret Ballesteros, who recognized the curly-haired forward from her days growing up in Tuscon, Arizona.

"We had first row tickets at the end zone," said Ballesteros, "and we were calling him but he kept ignoring us. Finally he waved and I guess a security guard noticed him and saw that he didn't have a pass."

The security guard approached Walton and asked to see his field pass. Walton, of course, didn't have one.

"He and the security guard were talking for about five minutes," said Ballesteros, "and Luke kept looking at his phone. I guess he was going to call someone to clear it up."

At that point, Ballesteros and her friends tried to do their part to help Walton's cause.

"We started chanting 'Let Luke stay!' and 'Come on, he's a Laker!'" she said, but it didn't do any good.

"Security called the cops, and the cops escorted him out up the stairs [of the peristyle end of the Coliseum.]"

Ballesteros said people were yelling "Go Clippers!" as Walton left the stadium.

"The police had him by both arms," she reported, "a bit dramatic for not having a pass."

VIEW PHOTOS of the incident

UPDATE: Ross Siler of the LA Daily News emails to tell us that the man in the black sweater talking with security is Alex McKechnie, the Lakers' athletic performance coordinator, who also worked with Matt Leinart this summer after his surgery.

MORE: This story was featured on Wednesday's ESPN Hollywood (ESPN2 at 6 EST, 3 PST)

TRACKBACK: Deadspin, LA Observed, SLAM Online

Luke Walton Thrown Out of UCLA Game (Photos)

2005-12-06T18:29:00.000-08:00

Photos of the incident (courtesy of Ryan Lovelace)

Walton waves at Ballesteros and her friends

Security approaches Walton, drawing the attention of surrounding fans

We've Got a New Address

2005-12-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

Now when you want to tell your friends about From the Sidelines, you don't have to pass along a hard-to-remember address like uscfootballblog.blogspot.com. Instead, just tell them to go to

Time For New Heisman Trophy?

2005-12-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

From the Sidelines reader Tom Hall wonders if it's time to redesign the Heisman Trophy. Here's his submission for a new version.

Our Big Announcement

2005-12-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

First an update: we started From the Sidelines six weeks ago because we wanted to take college football fans behind-the-scenes of America's hottest program.

Unlike most sports blogs, ours is not a place where we give our opinion or prognosticate. Instead, we focus on original reporting, taking fans beyond what they can find out about USC from their local paper or on television.

Through our player profiles and behind-the-scenes accounts, we give readers a chance to get to know the players as people, and our coverage of ESPN College GameDay's visit to the Coliseum and the Trojans' win over UCLA helped capture the excitement that surrounds USC football.

We continue to look for opportunities to expand our coverage and take fans places they've never been before. That's why we're excited to announce that this weekend we'll be in New York to cover the Heisman Trophy ceremony and all the pageantry that surrounds it.

Though we won't technically be the first bloggers to cover the Heisman, we're the first to bring our distinctive behind-the-scenes coverage to what many consider the most prestigious individual award in all of sports.

So check back throughout the weekend for information and updates on all the Heisman festivities. We promise to provide coverage you can't get anywhere else except...

From the Sidelines.

What They're Saying

2005-12-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

From LA Observed:

Here's a pointer to a more ambitious site [than Elisha Cuthbert's LA Kings blog], by Annenberg grad student Alexis Jones and recent USC grad Nathan Gotsch: From the Sidelines. They were literally on the sideline filing reports during Saturday's game. They favor original reporting on the Trojans over blognostication, they get access, they profile players and they do video reports.

This week, the blog will be on hand in New York to cover the Heisman Trophy ceremonies: "We're paying our own way (found cheap tickets online) and staying with friends."

More Photos from the Game

2005-12-05T23:12:00.000-08:00

Matt Leinart and Ryan Kalil

Josh Pinkard follows Joe Cowan in motion

Frostee Rucker, playing his final game in the Coliseum

Sedrick Ellis sacks Drew Olsen

Lawrence Jackson sacks Drew Olsen, forcing a fumble recovered by Brian Cushing

A wide-open LenDale White turns upfield after catching a pass

Matt Leinart receives a congratulatory hug from his backup, John David Booty, upon coming out of the game

USC fans unnecessarily lobby Heisman voters

(Photos by Nathan Gotsch / From the Sidelines)

USC Fans Not Surpised by Rout

2005-12-05T03:36:00.000-08:00

The professional prognosticators might have been surprised by USC's 66-19 win over UCLA Saturday, but several Trojan fans predicted as much to us earlier that day.

Jerry Alvarez

"63-17," said Jerry Alvarez, who had stayed up all night in order to get a prime spot behind the set of ESPN College GameDay.

Harold Mann

"49-17," said Harold Mann, who had been in front of the Coliseum since 5:00 a.m. Saturday.

Harlan Sharp

"59-17," guessed Harlan Sharp, who showed up fifteen minutes after Mann.

Benny Castro

Benny Castro, whose prediction initially appeared to be the most plausible, actually ended up being the furthest from the final result. "50-30," said Casto, who arrived at 4:00 a.m.

Game Day Report

2005-12-03T22:12:00.000-08:00

We're proud to say we had quite possibly the most extensive coverage of the festivities surrounding Saturday's crosstown rivalry game as anyone in the country.

From a sunrise edition of ESPN College GameDay to the standing ovation Matt Leinart received as he left the field at sundown, we were all over the Coliseum, updating throughout the day and providing our unique insider access to Trojan football you can't get anywhere else except...

From the Sidelines.

A recap of our coverage:

GameDay at Dawn

True Trojan Fans

Signs of the Times

The GameDay Atmosphere

GameDay: Behind the Scenes

Trojans Take "The Walk"

Star Spectators

White Breaks Record

Heisman Finalists?

Leinart Walks Off the Field

NOTE: All photos from yesterday's postings were taken by Nathan Gotsch and are property of From the Sidelines. They may be used by other bloggers as long as credit is given.

Looking Back

2005-12-03T19:13:00.000-08:00

10,328 yards passing

108 total touchdowns

37 wins

2 national titles

1 Heisman Trophy

0 regrets

...and one last game to rewrite the record books

Record-Setter

2005-12-03T19:11:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to LenDale White, who scored his record 54th touchdown as a Trojan against UCLA at the Coliseum on Saturday

On the Sidelines

2005-12-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

Marcus Allen, the last USC running back to win a Heisman Trophy

Pete Carroll: "A couple of years ago I was walking down the tunnel with Ronnie Lott, prior to a game. I asked him if this was still a big deal to him. 'Still a big deal? The biggest deal of my life in football [was] walking down this tunnel here and playing at the Coliseum.'"

Stanford alum John Elway

Actress Kirsten Dunst poses with a fan

Rapper The Game approached Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart to congratulate them during the fourth quarter. "Thanks for coming out, man," said Leinart.

The Walk

2005-12-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

The Trojans just made their ceremonial walk to the Coliseum, a tradition Pete Carroll started in 2001. For the seniors, it's the last time they'll take "The Walk."

Pete Carroll

Reggie Bush

LenDale White

Darnell Bing

Matt Leinart and Frostee Rucker

Behind the Scenes: ESPN's College GameDay

2005-12-03T10:33:00.000-08:00

There might not be a more exciting place to be on a Saturday morning than the set of ESPN's College GameDay. The team of Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit are more than just network stars -- they're rock stars. In Los Angeles, where people don't get up before 10 am, a crowd of rabid fans showed up for today's show at the crack of dawn.

Sure, they were excited about today's USC-UCLA game, but they were more excited to see the GameDay crew. Each time Corso or Herbstreit made a gesture toward the crowd or referenced the Trojans, the crowd went wild. And they kept growing, filling the area around the peristyle-end of the historic stadium by the time the show ended at 9 am.

But it was after the show that Fowler, Corso and Herbstreit showed the type of people they are, thanking the crowd for showing up so early in the morning and patiently posing for photos on the GameDay set with a few lucky fans.

Then it was to the Home Depot Bus to catch the start of the Big 12 Championship game. These guys might be rock stars, but they're also big college football fans too.

In the Field

2005-12-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

Alexis interviews fans holding signs during ESPN College GameDay

The GameDay Atmosphere

2005-12-03T10:18:00.000-08:00

Best GameDay Sign

2005-12-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the best signs at GameDay so far. Leave a comment on this post and vote for the sign you think is the best! (Keep checking back; we'll be adding more photos throughout the day.)

UPDATE: More photos added (scroll to the bottom of this post)

The GameDay Crew

2005-12-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

The Sun Rises on GameDay

2005-12-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

GameDay

2005-12-02T23:08:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is GameDay -- will you be at the Coliseum at 7:00 am?

We will. And yes, we'll be blogging.

More Publicity

2005-12-01T20:39:00.000-08:00

Alexis is on the cover of this month's issue of Swoop, an online magazine.

Radio Interview Alert

2005-12-01T03:41:00.000-08:00

Alexis was on Fred Roggin's radio show (1540 AM) today to talk about InsideUSC.com (formerly From the Sidelines) and our unique coverage of the USC football team.

"If you are a USC Trojan fan, this is a must," said Roggin. "It is one of the most well-read blogs on the Internet. Information updated daily. Very entertaining."

Trojan Profile: Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui

2005-12-01T02:46:00.000-08:00

Name: Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui

Number: 71
Class: senior
Position: guard
Hometown: Mesa, AZ

Siblings: two brothers, two sisters
Roommates: wife and son [born the day after 2005 Orange Bowl]
Best friend on team: Alatini Malu

Girlfriend: married
Dream girl: my wife
Best thing about her: the way that she loves me

Non-football idol: my parents
Non-football highlight: the day my son was born
Best sport other than football: rugby
Career other than football: history teacher or coach

Formerly slept with a stuffed animal: Yes, but I can't remember what it was
Scares you: spiders because they just have too many legs
Pet peeve: not-so-nice people
Proudest of: my family, my wife and my son

Surprising fact: I'm a momma's boy...but I think all o-linemen are momma's boys

Specialty in the kitchen: ramen noodles or Easy Mac

Favorite professional football team: Arizona Cardinals
Favorite professional football player: Hines Ward

Opponent you dislike the most: UCLA

Funniest teammate: Ryan Kalil
Prettiest: Fred Matua
Most athletic: Reggie Bush
Most humble: Matt Leinart

Funniest team moment: The Halloween prank with LenDale White

Pete Carroll in one word: Player's coach [ed. - compound word?]

--

Lutui is the only Trojan who has to balance life as a husband and father with football and academics.

"It's a battle to share my time with my wife and son," he said. "Football takes up so much of my time. I see my teammates more than my wife."

Lutui says that separation is difficult.

"It can be hard, really hard sometimes, especially when we're on the road and I have to leave them behind."

"But I don't regret it at all."

UPDATE: Congratulations to Deuce for being named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America team

Leinart Wins Unitas Award

2005-12-01T02:39:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to USC quarterback Matt Leinart, who today was awarded the 2005 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for being college football's top senior quarterback.

Leinart is the third Trojan to receive the award. Carson Palmer won it in 2002, and Rodney Peete won it in 1988.

Trojan Profile: Josh Pinkard

2005-11-30T14:39:00.000-08:00

Name: Josh Pinkard

Number: 36
Class: sophomore
Position: cornerback (formerly safety)
Hometown: Oxnard, CA

Siblings: one brother, two sisters
Roommates: Desmond Reed and Mozique McCurtis

Girlfriend: yes, from home
Most attractive characteristic in a girl: sense of humor
Least attractive characteristic in a girl: being too sensitive, like when you can't joke with them

Non-football highlight: Just being in college
Best sport other than football: Basketball
Career other than football: own my own company

Scares you: snakes and alligators
Pet peeve: When people don't clean up after themselves
Formerly slept with a stuffed animal: No, but I slept with a little blankie

Specialty in the kitchen: enchiladas

Favorite professional football team: Philadelphia Eagles
Favorite professional football player: Brian Dawkins

Opponent you dislike the most: I hate Cal the most

Funniest teammate: Clay Matthews
Prettiest: Thomas Williams
Most athletic: Reggie Bush
Most humble: Steve Smith

Funniest team moment: The Halloween prank. I totally believed it when LenDale [White] was yelling at the coaches and walked out.

Pete Carroll in one word: Awesome

Quote of the Week

2005-11-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

Brandon Hancock on UCLA:

"We respect Notre Dame and at the end of the day it's a pretty healthy rivalry. But all bets are off with these pansies."

Trojan Profile: John Walker

2005-11-29T17:38:00.000-08:00

Name: John Walker

Number: 18
Class: redshirt senior
Position: cornerback
Hometown: North Hills, CA

Siblings: one brother, one sister
Roommate: William Buchanon

Girlfriend: Yes
Dream girl: Adriana Lima (Victoria's Secret model)
Most attractive characteristic in a girl: faithful in support
Least attractive characteristic in a girl: insecurity

Non-football role model: Jesus
Non-football highlight: returning to Hawaii for the first time for this year's game against the Warriors [Walker was born in Hawaii but moved away several months later]

Best sport other than football: track (hurdles) [was ninth at the 2001 California State meet in the high hurdles]

Career other than football: television actor [from usctrojans.com: As a youngster, Walker was a television actor who appeared in such shows as "E.R." and "7th Heaven"]

Formerly slept with a stuffed animal: My Buddy doll

Specialty in the kitchen: anything to do with meat

Surprising fact: I have genuine love for everyone; I'm the most approachable person

Scares you: birds like ducks and geese...anything that scampers...squirrels are horrifying

Pet Peeve: dirty fingernails

Proud of: my work ethic

Favorite professional football player: Troy Polamalu

Opponent you dislike the most: I hate, hate, hate Notre Dame because that's where I'm from [Walker used to live in Chicago]

Funniest teammate: Chilo Rachal
Prettiest: Thomas Williams Most athletic: Josh Pinkard
Most humble: Patrick Turner

Funniest team moment: A group of us players were at a dinner in Malibu. There were two comedians there doing stand up and some of the players started booing them because they didn't think they were funny. So the comedians started making fun of the football team. They just roasted us.

Pete Carroll in one word: Competitive

--

MORE on Walker, from an article in Sunday's LA Times on UCLA and USC's pro prospects:

[NFL scouts] favored John Walker — a fifth-year senior who became a starter after Eric Wright transferred and Terrell Thomas was injured — over two-year starter Justin Wyatt, also a senior. Walker was hurt this season and has yet to reclaim his job opposite Wyatt from sophomore Josh Pinkard[...]

Scout 1: "Wyatt is small but a very good football player. He'll be drafted in one of the middle rounds. Walker is prototypical everything: size, speed, and he looks like a Greek god.

"He's somebody who's under the radar as far as the NFL, but a lot of scouts like him."

Scout 2: "[Walker] is very raw and not sound technique-wise. But he's got great upside. He's a player that NFL teams will work and try to develop."

Scout 3: "There's a lineage of Pete Carroll corners. They come out of there and know how to play. Pete's really a good secondary coach. Walker showed enough in the time he was healthy that this is a guy who has some tools."

A Call for Help

2005-11-28T23:38:00.000-08:00

The producer of ESPN's College Gameday just emailed to ask if we would post the following:

ESPN's College GameDay invites the entire USC student body to a live broadcast of the premier college football pregame show in the country. Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will be broadcasting LIVE beginning at 7:00 am on Saturday outside the main entrance of the Coliseum. The show is hoping to set the record for most people to view the show live on Saturday. We have already received a strong reception from UCLA and are hoping that the Trojan faithful will show up to outnumber the Bruins fans.

Come show your support and have the chance for your face to be LIVE on College GameDay -- 7AM on Saturday!

We promised to do all we can to encourage the Trojan family to come out and help set that record -- and outnumber UCLA's fans, of course.

UPDATE: We're blogging live from the Coliseum!

USC Takes Home Most Conference Awards

2005-11-28T14:37:00.000-08:00

Today the Pac 10 handed out its postseason awards, as selected by the coaches in the conference. Not surprisingly, plenty of Trojans were recognized. From the Pac 10 website:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

REGGIE BUSH, TB, USC
Bush, a junior from Spring Valley, Calif., is an electrifying, multi-purpose player who excels as a running back and receiver, as well as a kickoff and punt returner. A leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy, Bush becomes just the fifth player in Conference history to be named Offensive Player of the Year two years in a row. With one regular-season game still remaining, Bust leads the nation in all-purpose yards with an average of 212.5 yards per game and is the only player to average more than 200 yards per game. He also ranks fourth in the nation in rushing with an average of 127.1 yards per game. In his most recent outing in USC win against Fresno State, Bush set a Pac-10 single-game record with 513 all-purpose yards. To date this season, Bush has rushed for 1,398 yards and 13 touchdowns and has averaged 8.6 yards per carry. He has added 31 receptions for 373 yards and two scores and leads the Trojans in punt and kickoff returns. He is averaging 10.0 yards on his 233 touches in 2005 and has scored a total of 16 touchdowns. Bush was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week three times this season.

CO-COACH OF THE YEAR

PETE CARROLL, USC:
Carroll earns Coach of the Year honors for the second time for keeping the Trojans on track in their quest for an unprecedented third consecutive National Championship. With one regular-season game to play, USC is 11-0 and has extended its winning streak to 33 games, the longest in the nation and a Pac-10 record. In addition, the Trojans have tied the Pac-10 record for consecutive Conference wins (22) and consecutive home wins (26). Carroll has had USC ranked No. 1 in the AP poll dating back to 2003. The Trojans are know this season for their prolific offense, leading the nation in total offense at 571.3 yards per game and ranked second at scoring offense at 48.6 points per game. Overlooked is the fact that USC leads the Pac-10 in total defense and ranks second in scoring defense.

First Team Offense:

QB Matt Leinart, Sr., USC
RB Reggie Bush, Jr., USC
WR Dwayne Jarrett, So., USC
OL Ryan Kalil, Jr., USC
OL Taitusi Lutui, Sr., USC
OL Sam Baker, So., USC

Second Team Offense:

RB LenDale White, Jr., USC
OL Fred Matua, Jr., USC

First Team Defense:

DL Frostee Rucker, Sr., USC
DL Lawrence Jackson, So., USC
S Darnell Bing, Jr., USC

Second Team Defense:

S Scott Ware, Sr., USC

Second Team Specialists:

PR Reggie Bush, Jr., USC

Inaugural Video Report

2005-11-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

We're excited to announce a new feature on this blog: video reports.

Below is the first effort, a video version of a story we reported last week on the Trojan whose jersey is in highest demand.

(Future video reports will contain original content not previously reported on the blog.)

NOTE: You'll need QuickTime installed on your computer to watch this video.

Watch the video

Inside USC Media Day

2005-11-27T21:19:00.000-08:00

Tuesdays are especially hectic for the USC football team. That's because it's been designated by the sports information department as media day.

Last week, while children crowded the sidelines aiming to get autographs from their favorite players, camera crews and reporters like Shelley Smith (ESPN) and Lindsay Soto (Fox Sports Net) stood by to interview players and coaches.

The man of the hour was Reggie Bush, who had turned in a breathtaking performance against Fresno State just a few days earlier. ESPN and Fox's Best Damn Sports Show had requested interviews with the Heisman contender, and ESPN also wanted to talk to Carroll -- though they would have to wait until he finished a conference call with other reporters.

Despite just having completed an exhausting practice, Carroll and Bush patiently sat through hours of questions from reporters. Bush's fifteen minute interview with ESPN stretched to 45 minutes, but he never complained, politely answering all of Smith's questions. When she quizzed him about comparisons to the legendary Gale Sayers, Bush demurred. "It's flattering just to be compared to him."

Carroll was equally unassuming, taking the time to formulate his responses to each question and doing a poor job of hiding how excited he was to talk about his team and his players.

All this was expertly choreographed by veteran USC sports information director Tim Tessalone. At one point, Bush was talking to a reporter from Best Damn Sports Show and Carroll was on the conference call. In the blink of an eye, Carroll was downstairs talking to Smith while Bush sneaked out of Heritage Hall to grab some food at the Galen Center for ten minutes before being called back to his next interview.

At any other school, this would have been the busiest media day of the year. For the Trojans, it was business as usual.

Mystery of Bush Messages Revealed

2005-11-26T23:50:00.000-08:00

Many college football fans have noticed that Reggie Bush has been writing special messages on the tiny black strips he's been wearing under his eyes this season. Those strips, designed to mimic traditional eye black but without the smeary side effects, are worn to reduce glare from the sun or other bright lights.

Bush has been adding his own personal touch to the eye black strips, writing 619 or SE on them with a marker. The 619 is easy enough to figure out; it's the area code of his home city of San Diego. But what about the SE?

"It stands for South East [San Diego]," said Bush.

He says both messages are his way of saying hello to friends back home.

"I don't ever want to forget where I come from."

Senior Bowl CEO Scouts Trojans

2005-11-26T23:15:00.000-08:00

There was an unfamiliar face at USC practice last week, but he had a good reason for being there. Steve Hale, CEO of the Senior Bowl, was in Los Angeles to get a good look at the Trojans' senior class.

Part all-star game, part pre-draft showcase, the Senior Bowl features many of college football's top players. They're split into two teams, each coached by an entire NFL coaching staff and put through a week's worth of workouts. At the end of the week, they face off in Mobile, Alabama's Ladd-Peebles Stadium. This year, that game will be held on January 28th, 2006.

"We only take players who have completely exhausted their eligibility," said Hale in an exclusive interview. "There doesn't need to be any more incentive for players to leave college early than there already are."

But first, those players need to be selected, which is why Hale is visiting college campuses across the country.

"A certain cap is made for each position and from there we choose the best players, until the cap is reached," he said. "Unfortunately this method creates inconsistency, since each year the number of seniors varies per school. For example, this year there will be a disproportionate amount of players from the Deep South just because there are a great deal more talented seniors graduating."

Trojans eligible for the Senior Bowl include Frostee Rucker, Justin Wyatt, Taitusi Lutui, Dominique Byrd, Scott Ware, John Walker and David Kirtman. Matt Leinart is also eligible but not likely to accept an invitation; he is already projected as a top pick and not expected to risk injury by playing in the game.

Even with plenty of players to scout, Hale said he tried to fly under the radar and keep his presence at practice from becoming a distraction.

"I know that Pete [Carroll] doesn't want to focus on anything except his next game, so I'm not going to put any pressure on him about the [Senior Bowl]. He had other things on his mind."

Bush or Leinart: Who Sells More?

2005-11-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: Watch a video version of this story

There's an epic battle being waged between USC teammates Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, but it's not over the Heisman Trophy. In fact, this competition can't even be settled on a football field.

Instead, you'll have to head to the USC bookstore, where number 5 and number 11 jerseys have been flying off the shelves.

Who sells more? That depends on the week, according to Gretchen Margolis, who supervises the jersey department.

"For instance, this week it's just going to be more Reggie Bush," said Margolis. "It just depends on which one does the most in the games."

Still, Bush's record breaking performance wasn't enough to sway one USC student considering making a purchase.

"I think I'd get Matt Leinart's jersey [if I bought one]," said Shelby Moore. "He's my favorite player."

Fans wanting a Bush or Leinart jersey have several options to choose from -- none of them cheap.

"The authentic jersey, which is the jersey the players wear, that's $150," said Margolis. "We have a replica jersey with the tackle twill numbers sewn on to it, and that's $70, and then we have a replica jersey, which is a screen print, and that's $50."

The bookstore also stock special jerseys just for girls, but only in Bush's number. "We never had Matt jerseys for girls," said Margolis, "but in the children's [sizes], we have both Reggie Bush and Matt and the girls will come in and buy the Matt Leinart jerseys."

But girls aren't the only ones buying number 11 jerseys.

"Matt Leinart's come in and bought a jersey," said Margolis. "He bought his own."

So were Leinart's personal purchases enough to push him past Bush when it comes to the all-important question of who has sold the most jerseys? Margolis was tight-lipped, but after some prodding, she revealed the answer.

"Reggie Bush."

Trojan Profile: Dwayne Jarrett

2005-11-23T10:35:00.000-08:00

Name: Dwayne Jarrett

Number: 8
Class: sophomore
Position: wide receiver
Hometown: New Brunswick, NJ

Siblings: none
Roommates: Matt Leinart

Girlfriend: No
Dream girl: Halle Berry
Most attractive characteristic in a girl: personality
Least attractive characteristic in a girl: insecurity or jealousy

Non-football role model: grandfather
Non-football highlight: making it to college
Best sport other than football: basketball
Career other than football: music producer

Formerly slept with a stuffed animal: Seriously, I never slept with one

Specialty in the kitchen: lasagna

Surprising fact: I sing R&B and church/gospel music

Scares you: having a close family friend pass away

Proud of: how I present myself

Favorite professional football player: Randy Moss

Opponent you dislike the most: Notre Dame

Funniest teammate: Fred Matua
Prettiest: Thomas Williams
Most athletic: Reggie Bush
Most humble: Matt Leinart

Funniest team moment: Whenever someone asks Pete Carroll to do "The Trojan" and he starts to dance

Pete Carroll in one word: Fun

NOTE: Congratulations to Dwayne for being named a Biletnikoff Award finalist

Trojan Profile: Frostee Rucker

2005-11-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

Name: Frostee Rucker

Number: 90
Class: redshirt senior
Position: defensive end
Hometown: Tustin, CA

Siblings: two sisters
Roommate: Ryan Powdrell

Girlfriend: No
Dream girl: Just someone good-looking; I don't care about celebrities
Most attractive characteristic in a girl: great listener
Least attractive characteristic in a girl: being into me because I play football

Formerly slept with a stuffed animal: Yes, a panda

Specialty in the kitchen: spaghetti or lasagna

Surprising fact: Outside of football, I'm not aggressive and I'm a fun guy

Scares you: Being lonely at the age of 35 [Rucker is currently 22]

Non-football highlight: Getting my USC acceptance letter
Best sport other than football: Madden Football...along with every other football player!
Career other than football: sports broadcaster

Proud of: The fact that I'm a hard worker and tough

Favorite professional football team: None
Favorite professional athlete: Shaquille O'Neal

Opponent you dislike the most: I hate Cal

Funniest teammate: Chilo Rachal
Prettiest: Reggie Bush
Most athletic: Dwayne Jarrett
Most humble: Matt Leinart

Funniest team moment: Watching Matt going into the shower and slipping and falling right in front of me. And it was a huge fall.

Pete Carroll in one word: Leader

Offensive Line Photo Gallery

2005-11-17T13:34:00.000-08:00

Winston Justice, Ryan Kalil, Sam Baker and Deuce Lutui on the sidelines during the Cal game last Saturday.

In The Inbox

2005-11-17T13:00:00.000-08:00

An email from Pete Carroll:

Trojan Fans,

With the Holiday Season fast approaching, the Trojans, in conjunction with Chance for Children, will be hosting a toy drive for the homeless children living in shelters in the Los Angeles community.

Toys will be accepted three hours prior to kick-off, through the first quarter. Collection bins will be located at the peristyle end of the Coliseum.

We sincerely appreciate your kindness in this charitable endeavor!

Kalil Happy To Be a Trojan

2005-11-17T04:33:00.000-08:00

Coach Pete Carroll, right, hugs Ryan Kalil following USC's win over Notre Dame. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

When Fresno State coach Pat Hill discussed USC's prolific offense during his weekly press conference Tuesday, he didn't single out usual suspects Reggie Bush or Matt Leinart.

"I am a big Ryan Kalil fan," said Hill, turning more than a few heads. "I think it starts with him. He is the leader of that [offensive line]. He is an outstanding, outstanding offensive center."

In fact, Hill tried to get Kalil to come play for the Bulldogs.

"I really liked him out of high school. We recruited him out of Servite. I thought we had a chance."

But in an exclusive interview, Kalil said Hill's staff was less than frank during his recruitment. "Fresno State told me that my good friend Sam Baker had committed to them, and they told Sam the same about me," said Kalil, "just because they wanted the two of us to play for them."

Instead, Kalil chose the Trojans.

"The first love I got was from 'SC," he said. "In high school I was in this phase where I didn't know what I wanted to do and it really stressed me out. Recruiting seemed like a forever process."

But a good showing at a USC football camp cleared things up. Kalil was attracted to "the energy, the love, the guys. And Coach Carroll was the icing on the cake."

"When Pete took me upstairs and offered me a scholarship, he was probably waiting for me to talk about my other options and ask for time to think about it," said Kalil, "but I was ready and said, 'I want to be a Trojan.'"

Now a USC veteran, Kalil is clearly happy with that decision.

"Coach Carroll knows how to do a good balance between fun and work. Attention all the time is tiring, mentally and physically," he said, "but Coach Carroll uses jokes, team outings and competition drills to get guys excited and in high spirits."

Kalil says that is especially helpful toward the end of a season, when the effects of big-time college football start to take their toll.

"Coach Carroll helps with the team's endurance for the long season by mentally refreshing us," he said, "making it fun. Otherwise people start to think of it as a job."

But that's not to say football isn't taken seriously at USC.

"We prepare every week as though it's our last," said Kalil. "It's so hard mentally and physically in practice each week, so for games all we have to do is bring our heart and the rest will follow."

Even so, Kalil admits that USC has underestimated teams in the past.

"Two years ago we did with Cal, and even last year with Stanford it happened."

"It's hard to do what we do, to win college football games," said Kalil, "and it's harder the higher up the totem pole you are. It's our opponent's championship game every week because everyone wants to beat us, so it has to be a championship game for us, too."

"But it's fun to see where we have come from since Cal two years ago and even the Stanford game," he said. "We are learning from our mistakes."

As the USC winning streak grows, the pressure on the program increases as well, but Kalil said it doesn't get to the players.

"Coach Carroll does a great job of keeping the pressure away from us," he said, "setting us up to do what we need to do to win."

"Every team has talented players. It's just how you utilize them. And Coach Carroll does a great job of doing that."

Trojan Profile: Ryan Kalil

2005-11-17T01:27:00.000-08:00

Name: Ryan Kalil

Number: 67
Class: junior
Position: center
Hometown: Corona, CA

Siblings: one brother, one sister
Roommates: Sam Baker and Kyle Williams

Girlfriend: No
Dream girl: Jessica Alba
Most attractive characteristic in a girl: humble, possess a spark
Least attractive characteristic in a girl: needing attention

Non-football role model: Frank Kalil (father)
Non-football highlight: Coming to USC
Best sport other than football: Golf
Career other than football: movie director
Favorite movie: Swingers

Scares you: not knowing where I'm going in life
Formerly slept with a stuffed animal: Yes, Leonardo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Surprising fact: I'm a Frank Sinatra fan and although I'm not as talented as my little sister [who just signed with Sony and we can report is an amazing singer], I love to sing

Specialty in the kitchen: lamb

Pet peeve: People who exaggerate stories

Proud of: The relationship with my mom because she's my best friend and I love her to death

Favorite professional football team: San Diego Chargers
Favorite professional football player: Frank Kalil (who played center for Arizona after transferring from Arkansas and then professionally with the Buffalo Bills)

Opponent you dislike the most: Oregon State

Funniest teammate: Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui
Prettiest: Thomas Williams
Most athletic: Reggie Bush
Most humble: Sam Baker

Pete Carroll in one word: Real

Highlights From This Week's Press Conferences

2005-11-15T23:31:00.000-08:00

Pete Carroll:

Linebacker coaches Rocky (Seto) and Kenny (Norton) have really taken [the freshman linebackers] under their wings and have done a marvelous job preparing them, mentally and tactically and technically on how to get this done. It is a lot to ask of these guys.

Early on you would ask me if it was possible for one of these linebackers to start, and I really doubted the fact that they could do that, just because there is so much stuff going on. The outside backs spot is a little easier, in [the Mike] spot, possibly.

But now that we can see these guys play, and it has taken some time, they are ready to play. They can play (on a) full time basis. That is a great asset to us. We didn't realize it would be this necessary. They have turned out all right and now we are ready to go.

[...]

We have grown to this point where we need these match-ups (with teams like Fresno State), we need these kinds of challenges. It keeps us strong and directed. We don't need to have a varying degree of opponents. We need everybody to be tough, every step of the way.

How much more difficult can it be to finish off this season? Two 9-1 teams coming at us. We have earned everything that we get this year. We are going to have to earn it this week and [in two] weeks as well.

[...]

[Fresno State has] really good players. They do a really good job; Pat [Hill] is a really good evaluator of talent. He is able to find guys that other teams don't take and make them really good players.

Their football is at the highest level, as far as offense and defense and scheme-wise. Their coaching staff has been really solid, with good continuity.

Look at the end result of their players over there. They have a lot of NFL players. You don't just make those kinds of players. You recruit those guys and then you help them become that. You find the right kinds of guys that can play up to that talent level.

I don't know what their numbers are but I am sure there are just as many NFL guys [from there] as [from] anywhere else on the West Coast, maybe more. What difference does it make where they are from if they have the right stuff to play at this level?"

Pat Hill:

I have made it really clear that I am a really big USC fan. I am from southern California; I grew up going to games at the Coliseum. In this country when you have lived in Baltimore, you have lived in Cleveland -- a lot like Pete has when he was with the Jets -- there is always something about the West. That we don't play as good of football out here.

USC has picked up the flag for the west United States, especially California, in bringing us national championships and greatness with USC football. I think that is important.

I like their attitude of playing all comers. Their schedule is not like the other schools in the country. They will play everybody. I admire their attitude and they will back it up every week.

I have a lot of respect for them as a team and their philosophy. I have a lot of respect for the way they coach them.

I talk to pro scouts all the time; I am always interested in how other teams practice. I am not interested in what they do -- just how they practice. I know how USC practices: they practice very hard, they are very aggressive in their 9 on 7 drills, they go one-on-ones. There is a reason they are as tough as they are and they play as hard as they do.

I have respect for them; I like to see tough hard nose football teams, and they are definitely a tough team.

I don't need to go through and rehash their personnel. Everybody already understands offensively their personnel. I could go through them all if you want me to; I have studied them pretty hard.

It all starts with their offensive line. I am a big Ryan Kalil fan. I really liked him out of high school. We recruited him out of Servite; I thought we had a chance. He isn't as big as people are looking for in this day and age. I think it starts with him. He is the leader of that unit. He is an outstanding, outstanding offensive center.

Number 58

2005-11-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

Sports Illustrated's Peter King:

Lofa Tatupu rocks. Learn about him. There aren't five middle linebackers playing any better right now.

More Trojans in Sports Illustrated

2005-11-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

There's another former USC Trojan in this week's Sports Illustrated, Mike Williams, who talks about about what he misses now that he's in the NFL:

"When I watch SC play, Matt [Leinart], Reggie [Bush] and those guys, that's the thing I regret," says the USC star who had to miss a year of football when he unsuccessfully challenged the NFL's minimum-age rule after his sophomore year. Williams, who says he enjoys the NFL, and who has 19 catches, goes on: "Sometimes I feel stupid that I left that part of my life too soon.... Here, nobody sees us until Sunday. In college, kids see you when you leave practice, see you in school. The same guy [who] cheers for you sees you Monday through Friday."

Lofa Tatupa also talked about his first season in the NFL:

Tatupu, a 5'11", 238-pound second-rounder from USC leads Seattle in tackles with 52, but it is a humbling experience that has stuck with him: facing the Cowboys' 6'3", 325-pound, nine-time Pro Bowl guard Larry Allen, who in an SI Players poll of his peers last year was voted the NFL's strongest man. "He is not playing around," says Tatupu, who experienced Allen's wrath in a Week 7 win over Dallas. "The man is a beast. He laid me out a couple times. Once he got me good. I was on my back, [and] he turned me over like ... I don't even want to know what it was like. I've never seen anybody get handled like [I was]."

New USC Blog

2005-11-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Orange County Register has a new USC football blog called Talking Trojans. In their first post, they link to TrojanWire's post on my post on Troy Polamalu's Sports Illustrated cover.

BCS Still Causing Controversy

2005-11-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

With two more undefeated teams going down last week, only three -- USC, Texas and Alabama -- enter this weekend without a loss. If all three win out, an unbeaten team will be excluded from the BCS championship game for the second year in a row.

Last season, USC, Oklahoma and Auburn all finished the regular season undefeated. USC and Oklahoma met in the national championship game, the Orange Bowl. Auburn beat Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl. USC finished at the top of both polls, effectively winning a consensus national championship.

"I felt bad for Auburn last year," said USC fullback Brandon Hancock.

A year earlier, it was the Trojans who were squeezed out of the BCS title game, even though they the top spot in both human polls. Oklahoma played LSU in the Sugar Bowl; USC defeated Michigan in the Rose Bowl and won the AP national championship. The coaches, contractually obligated to vote for the winner of the Sugar Bowl, chose LSU.

The BCS continues to spark fervent debate among college football fans. Earlier this season, USC briefly dropped behind Texas even though they far outdistanced the Longhorns in both human polls, thanks Texas' strong showing in the computer ranking component of the BCS formula. Those computer rankings are the product of complicated formulas devised by mathematicians with no practical football experience.

"It's like having a dentist operate on a foot," said Hancock, who has been asked to be part of a debate on the BCS system.

Seeing as how mathematicians get to select the best team in football, one wonders what would happen if the shoe was on the other foot and football players were relied on to devise mathematical formulas.

"It just wouldn't be right," said USC tailback Desmond Reed. "I mean, we're just football players." When asked to name his favorite equation, Reed replied, "a² + b² = c²."

If he had to suggest a teammate to devise a formula, Reed said he would pick Hancock, who is generally considered the best student on the team.

Hancock would rather not focus on formulas at all. "A computer doesn't know the intangibles," he said. "The AP and coaches poll are more credible."

Markazi: Bush is Sportsman of the Year

2005-11-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

Recent USC graduate Arash Markazi, who currently writes for Sports Illustrated, SI on Campus and SI.com, says Trojan tailback Reggie Bush is his pick for 2005 Sportsman of the Year.

Look at the faces of the helpless defenders who try to tackle Bush, and watch them fall over themselves like villains trying to take on Bruce Lee in a Kung Fu movie. Look at the people in the crowd hold their breaths with anticipation every time Bush touches the ball. Look at his teammates as they whoop and holler and hit each other like fans at a slam dunk contest every time he reverses field and makes players miss.

Ask any player on the USC football team who their most valuable player is and they will all -- even Matt Leinart, the team's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback -- say Bush. Despite being unbeatable for the past two years, the Trojans know that they would probably have a handful of losses if it hadn't been for the man they call The President. Says USC coach Pete Carroll, "I told him you're the most valuable guy on the field for what you're creating by your presence."

To every father who has sat down with his child and tried to describe the greatness of Gale Sayers or the elusiveness of Barry Sanders, breathe easy. The next generation has arrived. In Bush, who averages more than 200 all-purpose yards per game and scores a touchdown nearly every 10 times he touches the ball, college football fans are treated to the most exciting player in the sport every Saturday.

Post-Op Report

2005-11-09T18:56:00.000-08:00

"Desmond Reed," USC quarterback Matt Leinart once remarked, "is the best kept secret in college football."

Unfortunately for Leinart and the rest of his teammates, Reed will remain under wraps a little while longer, thanks to an injury he suffered several weeks ago at Notre Dame.

Yesterday morning, Reed had surgery to repair the torn ACL he suffered against the Irish. It was performed in San Francisco by Dr. Arthur Ting, an orthopedic surgeon who is the team physician for the NHL's San Jose Sharks and also happens to be the father of Trojans Ryan and Brandon Ting.

After the surgery, Reed confessed to being in significant pain, but said he was heartened by the news that the damage was not as bad as initally feared. "Normally when [the ligament] snaps it curls up," said Reed, "but mine was just chillin' so that was good."

Reed will be on crutches for three weeks and then begin his rehabilitation. "I'm going to try my hardest and hit rehab every day."

Reed will stay in the Bay Area through the weekend, giving him a chance to join his teammates on the sidelines when the Trojans take on Cal.

As for the pain, "I'll be fine by Thursday or Friday," he said.

Just in time for the game.

PREVIOUSLY: Weis Game Plan Leaves Reed Hobbling

Trojan Profile: Brandon Hancock

2005-11-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Name: Brandon Hancock

Number: 40
Class: redshirt junior
Position: fullback
Hometown: Fresno, CA

Siblings: one sister
Roommates: I live by myself in a studio

Girlfriend: No
Dream girl: Kelly Monaco
Most attractive characteristic in a girl: sense of humor
Least attractive characteristic in a girl: arrogance

Non-football role model: Lance Armstrong
Non-football highlight: Graduating with the team-high GPA
Best sport other than football: Cycling (after injuring my knee it was my main form of exercise)
Career other than football: entertainment law or a sports attorney

Scares you: spiders
Formerly slept with a stuffed animal: Yes, Michelangelo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Surprising fact: I have a 3.89 GPA, I eat 7,000 calories a day

Specialty in the kitchen: the bare essentials, steak and egg whites

Favorite professional football team: Cincinnati Bengals
Favorite professional football player: Mike Alstott (that's why I wear #40)

Opponent you dislike the most: Cal because a good friend of mine plays for them

Funniest teammate: Formerly Matt Cassel...now Clay Matthews
Prettiest: Thomas Williams
Most athletic: Reggie Bush
Most humble: Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui

Funniest Trojan moment: When linebackers coach Nick Holt gave a long-winded Kentucky Derby analogy and impersonated a horse (Holt is now head coach at the University of Idaho)

Pete Carroll in one word: Competitor

Trojan Profile: Desmond Reed

2005-11-08T22:44:00.000-08:00

Name: Desmond Reed

Number: 22
Class: redshirt sophomore
Position: tailback/special teams
Hometown: San Gabriel, CA

Siblings: one brother, three sisters
Roommates: Josh Pinkard and Mozique McCurtis

Girlfriend: No
Dream girl: Beyoncé Knowles
Most attractive characteristic in a girl: sense of humor
Least attractive characteristic in a girl: a "nagger"

Non-football role model: My grandmother
Non-football highlight: Graduating from high school and my whole family flying in town for it
Best sport other than football: Basketball
Career other than football: professional basketball player

Scares you: Snakes
Last time you cried: At Notre Dame

Surprising fact: I'm a neat freak
Formerly slept with a stuffed animal: Yes

Specialty in the kitchen: peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a Caesar salad

Favorite professional football team: Dallas Cowboys
Favorite professional football player: Emmitt Smith

Opponent you dislike the most: Cal because one of my good friends plays for them

Funniest teammate: Josh Pinkard
Prettiest: Thomas Williams or Hershel Dennis
Most athletic: Dwayne Jarrett
Most humble: Darnell Bing

Pete Carroll in one word: Business

Trojans in the NFL

2005-11-08T16:00:00.000-08:00

Former Trojan standout Troy Polamalu is on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated, sporting the trademark mane that should be familiar to USC fans.

Polamalu is the subject of Nunyo Demasio's cover story, titled, "The Mane Man."

What distinguishes Polamalu -- aside from the hair -- is the multitude of roles he plays in the Steelers' defense. At times he ambles to the line of scrimmage, then sprints back before the snap to become a third cornerback. Other times he'll jog up from his safety spot to become a fifth linebacker. But his most exotic role is as a pass-rushing end, in essence giving Pittsburgh a 4-4 formation; he'll even occasionally execute a stunt with a defensive lineman. In a Sept. 18 victory over the Houston Texans, Polamalu came at quarterback David Carr from all angles, tying an NFL record for a safety with three sacks. Only linebackers Porter and Clark Haggans have more for the Steelers this season.

The 2004 Pro Bowler's play at the line compels opposing coaches to pay special attention to him in their game plan, often using motion and shifts to force him to stay deep, where he has a tendency to bite on play-action. "If you don't know where he is, he'll kill you," says Patriots coach Bill Belichick. "He's all over the field." The Packers got a firsthand look on Sunday, when Polamalu made six tackles and recovered two fumbles, returning one for a 77-yard touchdown in a 20-10 Steelers victory.

Polamalu so effectively masks his intentions that keeping track of him is a challenge. The quirkiest disguise is when he moves up, faking a blitz, then turns his back to the offense as if he's about to return to the secondary. At the snap Polamalu will suddenly whirl back around and rush the quarterback. "The thing that puts teeth into those moves is the fact that he can [do so many things]," says Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. "So when he's at the line of scrimmage, the offense has to say, 'He may be coming.' If he turns his back to go deep, they're saying, 'Oh, no, he's going deep.' And then he wheels from that and blitzes. So you're dealing with the element of surprise."

Polamalu's frantic movement and ravenous appetite for ballcarriers earned him the nickname Tasmanian Devil from fellow starting safety Chris Hope last season. "It goes with the way his hair goes all over the place and the way he runs," Hope says. "He's always into something. If you look at our film, he's always diving, scratching, clawing under a pile. He's always full speed, going 125 mile per hour."

Once the whistle blows, though, Polamalu appears to be the most serene person on the field. He often helps up an opponent he just walloped, then saunters back to the huddle, head down, saying a silent prayer. He hardly chats with teammates and never talks trash. Porter has heard the safety curse on the field only twice, both times shocking his teammates.

Defensive end Kimo Von Oelhoffen noticed Polamalu's idiosyncrasies during the safety's first NFL preseason game, in 2003. "I love to watch him," says Von Oelhoffen, a 12-year veteran. "He [just] smiles between plays. Then it's Bing! Bing! Bing! He's all over the place."

[...]

Polamalu grew up in Santa Ana, Calif., the youngest of five children (he has a brother and three older sisters) in a household headed by his divorced mother, Suila. During the summer of 1989, when Troy was eight, the family took a trip to tiny Tenmile, Ore., where his Uncle Salu and Aunt Shelley lived with their three sons, one of whom, Joe Polamalu, played football at Oregon State. Troy was struck by the pastoral setting. "This was a complete contrast to my life in L.A.," Polamalu says. "I saw horses in the field, sheep, cows, beautiful green trees. I'm thinking: Dang, this is awesome."

After a week Suila was ready to drive back to California, but Troy asked to stay behind for a while. His mother agreed, and when she called a few days later, Troy cried and pleaded for more time. Realizing that rural Oregon was a better environment for her child, Suila allowed him to remain with his aunt, uncle and cousins. Troy grew into a star running back and defensive back at nearby Douglas High in Winston, and didn't return to Southern California until 1999, as a highly prized freshman for the USC Trojans. At USC, Polamalu embraced his Samoan heritage, joining Polynesian dance clubs and learning the Samoan language from friends. After his freshman year he took his first trip to American Samoa to visit his mother, who had moved there in 1996 after remarrying.

Success in football was also part of his heritage. His brother, Kaio Aumua, played at Texas-El Paso; his cousin Nicky Sualua was a tailback for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys; and Troy's uncle Kennedy Pola played fullback at USC from 1982 to '85 and is now the running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Polamalu maintained the family tradition at USC, where he was a two-time All-America and one of three finalists for the 2002 Thorpe Award.

It was at USC, too, that he had his last haircut -- in 2000, when as a sophomore he was told to do so by a coach. Polamalu's mane is now so long that it obscures the name on the back of his jersey, revealing only the first and last letters, but he has no plans to cut it again unless his wife, Theodora, insists. "It's a part of you," he says. "It just feels like an appendage. I guess I'd save a lot of money on shampoo and conditioner, rubber bands.... "

In the same issue, Peter King has a related story on the number of young defensive players making a big impact this season:

The Jets followed middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma's young leadership to the playoffs last year, and now two contenders -- Cincinnati (with Odell Thurman) and Seattle (Lofa Tatupu) -- have rookie middle 'backers calling defensive signals.

[...]The most accomplished of the young bunch, and certainly the most recognizable, may be Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, who in just three seasons has become a force in the league, ranging all over the field, hair flowing as he delivers game-changing plays.

RELATED: Polamalu and his wife, Theodora

Homecoming: Not Just Any Game

2005-10-31T14:25:00.000-08:00

"It's not just any game day for us," said one USC fan at Saturday's game against Washington State. "It's Homecoming."

USC president Steven Sample seconded those thoughts. "It's a reunion, a sense of the Trojan Family coming together for the first time each year," he said, standing on the sidelines. Sample couldn't help but talk a little football, too, gushing over the "excitement" of USC football and the respect he had for the players.

Prominent alum George Lucas was also on hand for the festivities, accompanied by his son. What did Lucas think of this year's Trojan football team? "Exciting." He also hinted that he might be making more appearances on campus in the near future. "My daughter will be attending USC next year," he reported.

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Another well-known USC fan, Snoop Dogg, was also in attendance. He said running back LenDale White had invited him to the game, and he was wearing White's 21 jersey on the sidelines. In typical Snoop style, he made his presence known, guest-conducting the USC band and appearing on the stadium JumboTron when White scored a touchdown and then tossed the rapper the football.

After the game, players like Keith Rivers took extra time to sign autographs for fans outside the tunnel, then headed off to a special barbecue for players and their friends and family. Away from the spotlight, the players enjoyed a spread that included home-cooked steaks and grilled shrimp.

The rest of the evening included fathers recounting glory days and mothers rushing around to make sure all the players had gotten enough to eat. Laughter filled the air as players recounted the highlights and blunders of the game. Several others joked about whose mom was the best cook.

Said one parent, summing up the day, "Homecoming really is a reunion, an excuse for people to come together, watch a hell of a football game and remember what it means to be a Trojan."

Weis Game Plan Leaves Reed Hobbling

2005-10-31T11:44:00.000-08:00

Notre Dame's D.J. Fitzpatrick and USC's Oscar Lua on the Notre Dame Stadium field during the game, after Fitzpatrick missed a field goal. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

In their walk-through at Notre Dame Stadium the day before what turned out to be a game for the ages, the USC football team was greeted with a very unpleasant surprise: ankle-deep grass, courtesy of Charlie Weis and the Notre Dame Stadium grounds crew.

"It looks like my front yard," middle linebacker Oscar Lua told the LA Times after the walk-through.

A few days after the game, a reporter asked Weis if the grass was grown long on purpose. "No," said Weis. "It was a little long, but that's the way it is around here. It was long at the Michigan State game, too. I don't cut the grass."

But several USC players were convinced otherwise. "It seemed obvious to us, at least to me, that they left the grass long on purpose," said tailback Desmond Reed.

Running back LenDale White suggested to a reporter from the Daily Breeze that it was a ploy to negate the Trojans' speed advantage. "All that money [Notre Dame has], you would think they could do something about [the grass], but I guess they thought it was going to slow us down." Added the former Colorado state high school player of the year, "That was the worst field I've ever played on in my life."

USC players weren't the only ones who thought the Notre Dame Stadium grass was unreasonably long. "I stood on it," wrote Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel, "and I can tell you, if it was your backyard, the Homeowners Association would send you a citation.

In fact, in a press conference back in January, a reporter asked Weis to assess Notre Dame's team speed, in light of how fast USC was in its Orange Bowl victory against Oklahoma. "I think the grass needs to be longer," said Weis, prompting laughter from the press corps.

But in trying to slow down the Trojans, Weis and company also created dangerous playing conditions. Just ask Reed.

While backpedalling to receive a Notre Dame kickoff, he tore his ACL and sustained other damage to his right knee. But unlike most football injuries, Reed's were caused not by contact on the field, but contact with the field.

"My cleat got stuck in the grass," said Reed, "and when I turned to run, I hyperextended my knee."

Desmond Reed during practice for the 2005 Orange Bowl

White said he wasn't surprised Notre Dame's "home field advantage" caused Reed's season-ending injury. "Honestly, when the grass is that thick, your feet can't get out of the grass that well," White told the Daily Breeze. "Your plant is kind of like (artificial) turf. Your foot gets stuck and [you] can't really get it out."

Though Reed was behind White and Heisman finalist Reggie Bush on the depth chart, he played an important role in USC's quest for an unprecedented third straight national title. "He's had a fantastic impact on our special teams and whenever he gets in the games he's done tremendous things," Coach Pete Carroll told the LA Times. "We're going to miss him a lot."

While his teammates focus on closing out the season with a string of victories, the normally lightning-quick Reed walks methodically around campus in leg brace. After his upcoming surgery, he'll have to endure three months of being unable to walk under his own power, and another three to six months of rehabilitation before he can rejoin his teammates out on the football field.

Reed has long been known among those teammates as one of the Trojans' most optimistic players, a trait that will serve him well in the coming months. He's looking forward to getting the surgery over with, he says.

"And getting back on the field."

Don't Believe Everything You See on ESPN

2005-10-25T23:23:00.000-07:00

ESPN screen capture

On Tuesday night's SportsCenter, an unidentified female was shown at USC football practice sporting a “Don’t Mess with Texas” tote bag, prompting ESPN's Shelley Smith to wonder if she was acting as a spy for the Longhorns.

"Coincidence...or conspiracy?" wondered Smith. "The day Texas passed USC in the BCS rankings, someone showed up at the Trojans' practice with this bag."

After a thorough investigation, I can now exclusively report that girl in question is indeed a native Texan, but she denied reports that she was sent by Texas coach Mack Brown to Los Angeles on a reconnaissance mission.

The bag, she explained, “was a gift from my papa. He bought it in Austin.” As for the message on the bag, she said it was originally a slogan for a statewide anti-littering campaign in the Lone Star State.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love Texas, but I don’t root for the Longhorns, let alone go on secret missions on their behalf,” said the tote-carrying Texan.

Others have commented that this mystery woman bears a striking resemblance to the author of this blog. In fact, according to at least one reliable source, the two were one and the same.

So next time I’m reporting from USC football practice, I’ll remember to leave my Texas paraphernalia at home.

And if I were to start spying for UT, I'd be sure not to get caught doing so on camera...

WATCH: The ESPN story in question (USC Report)

A Winning Philosophy

2005-10-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

As the USC football team scratches another challenger off the list of teams standing in the way of an unprecedented third straight national title, it's worth taking a moment to look at the winning philosphy of head coach Pete Carroll that has been integral to the Trojans' current win streak.

Last spring, Carroll spoke to students in USC president Steven Sample’s leadership class about that philosophy. He described himself as a competitor, both on and off the field, and stressed the importance and responsibility of being a motivator for the team.

“You have to hone a formula that works," he said, adding with a smirk, "Looks like we did." Once you find a method that works, said Carroll, "then you just keep using it over and over.”

Even in a lecture hall, Carroll's energy and charisma were infectious, proving that his unique ability to inspire works on more than just football players.

Setting the Record Straight

2005-10-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, former USC running back Petros Papadakis sent tongues wagging when he "reported" on his radio show that Matt Leinart's good friend Nick Lachey had moved out of the house he shares with wife Jessica Simpson and was crashing on Leinart's couch.

The story, Papadakis later admitted, was a fabrication, but on Friday he was back to spreading rumors about Leinart's personal life.

Papadakis told his listeners that, while at a Victoria's Secret party at Mood on Wednesday night, Leinart was hitting on Shannen Doherty (formerly of 90210) and Paris Hilton. Papadakis went on to say he was glad Leinart was playing the field and enjoying his final season as the crown prince of Los Angeles, not allowing himself to be tied down by girlfriend Brynn Cameron.

Here's the problem: like the story about Lachey sleeping over, what Papadakis reported is far from the truth.

How do we know? Alexis was at the party.

Yes, Leinart spoke with Doherty for a few minutes, who was accompanied by her boyfriend, and Paris Hilton did saunter over to talk with the Heisman Trophy winner, but the sparks were not flying, at least on Leinart's part. Far from putting out the vibe, Matt was more comfortable sitting on the sidelines.

As for his relationship with Cameron? Still going strong, despite all the rumors of Leinart's supposed unfaithfulness that the two of them are forced to deal with on what's becoming a daily basis.

For the record.