Here is Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott’s full statement regarding the reprimand of Matt Barkley for calling Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict a dirty player.

“All of our student-athletes must adhere to the Pac-12’s policies on Sportsmanship and Standards of Conduct, which call for our student athletes to treat opponents with respect and create and ensure a collegiate atmosphere in which to conduct competition,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said. “In these circumstances, Mr. Barkley’s comments were a clear violation of Conference rules and he is being appropriately reprimanded.”

And here is USC coach Lane Kiffin’s full statement:

“We talked to Matt right after he made that comment and told him that it was not appropriate. He understood.
“Despite this reprimand, Matt Barkley represents everything that is good about college athletics. He is one of the finest student-athletes I have ever been around. You will not find a person with higher character or values.”

Texas coach Mack Brown went out last January and hired Boise State offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin. In 2008, Alabama coach Nick Saban hired Fresno State offensive coordinator Jim McElwain.
Isn’t USC on par or even more prestigious historically than those programs? So shouldn’t it also go out and hire the best playcaller in the country?

During a teleconference with Pac-12 media, Lane Kiffin was not asked a single question about the Willie Mack Garza story.

A USC fan who attended the Arizona State game sent this picture of a Tennessee fan that is still bitter over Lane Kiffin’s departure.

Lane Kiffin on freshman linebacker Dion Bailey: “He’s played as well or better than anybody, including Chris Galippo, a senior.”

Does USC throw many passes over the middle or is that considered too risky for “a young team?” Everything seems to go wide or down the sideline.
On the other side, are the wide hash marks in college football providing challenges for the defensive schemes and famed Tampa 2 defense?

Lane Kiffin denied any knowledge of the alleged report that former assistant Willie Mack Garza paid for tailback Lache Seastrunk to make an unofficial recruiting visit to Tennessee.
He also said he was unaware of any relationship between Garza and Seastrunk.
“I have always been committed to following NCAA rules,” he said.
In team news, freshman Aundrey Walker was moved to his natural position, tackle, to compete with Kevin Graf for the starting job. Graf struggled against Arizona State. Left tackle Matt Kalil sat out practice with a minor injury but said he would return tomorrow.
Cornerback T.J. Bryant did not dress for the Arizona State game because he is going to redshirt.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley said he was OK with the conservative third-down calls in the first half against Arizona State and Chris Galippo said teams put together game plans just for the Trojans.
“They’ve got their crazy USC package, regardless if people say it’s a down time for USC,” Galippo said.

Here’s the wire service story on Yahoo’s report that Willie Mack Garza paid for tailback Lache Seastrunk to visit Tenneseee on an unofficial visit during Lane Kiffin’s tenure.
Continue reading “Report: Garza Paid For Recruit’s Unofficial Trip” »