When offensive tackle Kyle Williams briefly quit the team last Monday after being replaced by Matt Spanos, he said it actually took the mind off a poor performance against UCLA.
“It gave me something else to think about, Williams said

USC coach Tim Floyd suspended freshman guard Kevin Galloway for two games after Galloway returned late from Sacramento from the Christmas break and missed practice Monday and Tuesday. Galloway, who averaged 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12 games, will miss Thursdays Pacific-10 Conference opener against Washington at the Galen Center and Saturdays game against Washington State.
Forward Nick Young did not practice on Christmas night because of stomach flu while center Abdoulaye Ndiaye left practice early because of a shin injury.

Some East Coast players, like linebacker Brian Cushing, were late to practice because their Christmas flights came back this morning. Otherwise, it was a short, crisp practice.
Fullback Brandon Hancock said he wants to come back for a sixth year but will meet with doctors before making it official.

USC hired Ali Khosroshahin of Cal State Fullerton as its women’s soccer coach today. Personally, I would have gone with Iain Dowie, especially after he turned down Hull City.

USC went 6-6 in the regular season against the spread, which was the 48th-best record in the nation. The Trojans were just ahead of Vanderbilt and SMU.
Central Michigan was No. 1 with an 11-2 record (9-4 actual record). Ohio State was 9-3 against the spread, the fourth-best mark. Not bad considering the Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 all season and had the runaway Heisman Trophy winner.

Its Christmas and time to give a present to the readers. When this blog started in March, there were no expectations, only a desire to offer more information about USC football.
But this blog quickly became so popular, our site monitor says it is routinely second only to the dailynews.com home page for page hits. That is because of you, the reader and your interest in USC football. And it is quite an accomplishment. Thanks to you.

There may be second-guessing by fans since USC lost to UCLA, but All-American wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett said he remains a believer in the Trojans’ play-calling.
“It’s easy to say that from the outside looking in,” wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett said. “As a team and staff, we believe in what we’re doing.”

Tailback C.J. Gable said he will switch from No. 25 to No. 2 next season, which was his number at Sylmar. Wide receiver Steve Smith currently wears No. 2 for the Trojans.

USC coach Pete Carroll said fullback Brandon Hancock is expected to apply for a sixth year of eligibility after missing his senior season with torn knee ligaments.
“I’d love to have him back,” Carroll said. “He’s a leader and a great player to have on our team.”
Hancock met with the USC coaching staff this week to discuss the idea. Carroll said USC’s compliance official said he could likely be granted an extra year by the NCAA.
Players are not allowed to apply until after the season. The compliance office previously said fullback Ryan Powdrell could not apply for a sixth year.

David Buehler, the new kickoff specialist after Troy Van Blarcom was dismissed from school said he will continue to wear a neck roll because he might participate on the kick return team, a role he held before getting promoted.
“Ive worn my neck roll all through high school and college, Buehler said.