USC shoots 26 percent in the first half and trails San Diego State 35-23 at halftime. Point guard Jio Fontan missed all five of his shots while shooting guard J.T. Terrell went 1 for 5. Terrell entered the contest shooting 33 percent in the first five games.

Could Silas Redd ever imagine Penn State would finish with a better regular-season record than USC?

Would New Mexico State coach Dewayne Walker be available for the defensive coordinator’s job? He is a former USC assistant and was the defensive coordinator for UCLA’s 13-9 victory over USC in 2006. And he is familiar with Pac-12 offenses.

We hear former Cal coach Jeff Tedford and defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast did not enjoy a close relationship, which means Tedford might not recommend him to Lane Kiffin as the Trojans’ next defensive coordinator.

Here is this week’s ballot for the Associated Press poll.

Continue reading “The Top 25” »

1.) USC did not beat a ranked team for the first time since 1997.

2.) USC swept by UCLA and Notre Dame for first time since 1995.

3.) USC allowed school records of 62 points and 730 yards in a single game.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News

Here’s my game story on Saturday’s latest setback.

In case anyone needed a reminder, the futility of USC’s season offered itself on display one more embarrassing time when it was televised to 100 percent of the nation Saturday night.

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“Our plan didn’t work. Our plan was to pass to the outside. We weren’t able to convert with the fullback on the flat out. That really is the story.”

— USC coach Lane Kiffin

Quarterback Max Wittek spoke about his performance and the season.

“I’m disappointed,” Wittek said. “No one imagined losing five games with the talent we have. Outside of those (two interceptions), I felt I played well in such a huge game against a great defense. I don’t regret anything at all.”

`I’d be disappointed too. I hear them. I feel them. Regardless of scholarship reductions. We’ve got to do better.”

— USC coach Lane Kiffin