USC Morning Buzz: Steve Sarkisian About To Learn Importance Of Rivalry

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USC v. UCLAThe UCLA game always forges the identity of a USC coach, but one could argue the game is even bigger than usual for Steve Sarkisian. The Trojans (7-3, 6-2) don’t exactly own a signature win and could possibly claim the Pacific-12 Conference South Division with a victory over UCLA.

But a loss to the crosstown rivals, to echo McKay, would unleash even more criticism than losses to Boston College and Arizona State.

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115 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Steve Sarkisian About To Learn Importance Of Rivalry”

  1. While I fully expect our guys to take care of business and beat those SUCLA wimps this Saturday, this so-called rivalry is NOT a real rivalry, but it’s a “crosstown” thing, where the team with the incomparably inferior record, history and tradition keeps trying to measure up to the superior team unsuccessfully year after year. Yes, that’s right! I said unsuccessfully because SUCLA will NEVER catch up with USC for the overall achievement in college football. Oh, wait…how many national championships did they win? And how many Heisman winner? What? They’re going to win the next 10 in a row? And 6 consecutive Heisman winners starting this year? Wake me up when that happens. LOL!!!

    • GetRealTrojan,
      You need one of the new t shirts I designed for your #6:

      Fight On through denial!

      • Never mind t shirts, SUCLA maniac. You’ll need piles of towels for sobbers after the game. LOL!!!

      • Talking about what you need, right? We Trojans never lack self confidence because we’re absolutely entitled to it. However, you DO need some illegal substance because you haven’t done anything football-wise. LOL!!!

    • This is how my SC relatives and friends put it: UCLA and ND are SC’s duel rivals. Most of my SC friends say that ND is their biggest rival, which I respect. However, they say UCLA is the more personal rival, due to the fact that it splits families in two, makes enemies of friends once a year, and confronts you when you go to the corner grocery store when you see someone wearing the other team’s colors. But Southbend is 1,815 miles from Exposition Blvd, while Westwood is 13 miles away from Troy. It’s one thing to have your biggest enemy seven states away, while your other enemy is two area codes away. A closing thought on this rivalry: In the past quarter century, the record is slightly in SC’s favor, 13-11-1. May the better team win tomorrow.

      • Good point about UCLA being the more emotional rivalry. With the exception of 2005, I have to agree with that.

      • Yes, I will give you that this crosstown rivalry can be more emotional in certain aspects, compared to the one between SC and Notre Dame. But strictly on paper, would UCLA be SC’s legetimate archrival if the school was located somewhere else other than LA? I don’t think so. UCLA would be just another Pac-12 or another conference team that wouldn’t have clear significance to SC but play the role of a spolier here and there. And another thing is you seem to overlook the level of emotional intensity between SC and Notre Dame. Do you remember that game played some years ago in which Reggie Bush has made a big publicity stunt with what had been labeled as the “Bush Push”? Do you think that game lacked any emotional intensity? No. The truth is even rivalry games can be anticlimactic at times when they’re seriously lopsided or have no significance for the season. But I don’t think SC-Notre Dame rivalry is any less emotional than the one between SC and UCLA. It’s just that they’re very different sort of rivalries.

        • Not suggesting there is less emotion in the ND rivalry (half my extended family is SC–6 grads on my wife’s side). We have this discussion all the time. And I guess we will never know whether or not USC would be UCLA’s major rival if the schools were not a dozen miles apart. Would have to conjecture the same of Cal-Stanford, Oregon-Oregon State, AZ-ASU, etc

      • I can’t wait unitl the end of the game when you sorry loser would be sobbing like a little lollypop-sucking girl with dire despair behind the closed closet. LMAO!!!

          • I know, and it won’t be because of the game, actually. We both know you’ll be on here for MUCH more serious reasons, don’t we? Are you aware of them? I cetainly hope so, loser. hahaha

  2. What an absurd comment per Sark – he knows very well both the upside and downside per this specific game – he knows it because of the vitriol that is hurled at the HC and the others should USC lose – he knows Wolf – he knows.

  3. SC will never catch SUCLA’s PAST basketball glory of 40 years ago (1974 team Wooden’s last go-around), and SUCLA will never catch SC’s football legacy.

    However, I believe SUCLA and SC football are now pretty even in talent, so don’t expect in the years ahead one school to dominate the other.

    That said, isn’t that what a rivalry is all about– never sure if your team is going to win or lose.

    • But there’s one very important difference. In basketball, out of SUCLA’s 11 national championships 10 of them were won under one coach — John Wooden. When it’s that lopsided in one coach, as opposed to USC football winning under various coaches spread out to different eras, it’s difficult to give as much credit for winning to the school as giving it to the coach. There’s a very significant difference there, don’t you think?

      • Great deal of truth in that! Jim Harrick won UCLA a title in 1995 – besides him no one else -compared to:

        Howard Jones, John McKay, John Robinson and Pete Carroll

        • This is true comrade. What is also true, is that both schools have slipped since their heyday. After the mid-70’s (UCLA’s previous NC in BB was 1975), the Bruins won one in 1995. The Bruins won plenty of conference titles but only one NC.

          In football, SC won 2 (1 BCS, 1 AP) since the mid-70’s during the Carroll period. SC also won plenty of conference titles but waited until after the turn of the century for a NC.

          There are some similarities, although SC under Carroll was more successful during his stint. UCLA under Howland went to 3 Final 4’s, but no titles.

          SC is now trying to re-create that Carroll magic. The question to be answered is whether or not Sark is the guy to get that done.

          • Well one thing is for sure it will be a lot clearer after tomorrow evenings game – I sense a USC victory

          • I would expect nothing less from you. Somewhat predictably, I sense a different outcome. I guess that’s why they play the game.

          • Harrick would have won more NC’s if wasn’t for stinking Pete Dalis. I did not mourn Mr. Dalis’ expiration.

        • Tampa Bay Bux: was it 0 – 15, 0 – 16 or 0 – 17, I forget John McKay exact 0 for the season record. Is JM in the NFL HoF?

        • Point of clarification. The 1995 Bruins won the NC due to Ed. O with an assist from Tyus.
          They did it IN SPITE of Jimbo Harrick.

      • The difference is….Your basketball team still stinks (Wins against the like’s of Cal state l.a. don’t matter….Your football victories were mythical….they don’t mean anything…No Playoffs…no championship!

        Nobody cares except RAH RAH’s

        • The REAL difference is SUCLA has a genuine lowlife like you, unlike SC. True? Yep, VERY true…LOL!!!

    • Who cares about basketball on a football blog? Oh yeah, schools with NO football achievements!

      • Akron Zips 66 – succ 46. There’s a good reason Merv why you don’t talk BB.

        • Maybe because BB sux! I guess I’ll start bringing up water polo, oh and don’t forget the high school academic decathlon, plus I was undefeated in 4th grade in relay races, Stick to football loser!

    • JW, well said. Any honest Bruin fan who has been a faithful follower through the good (the 90s, now) and the not-so-good (2000-2011) can tell you that there is momentum in Westwood surrounding the brown ball that is not round and orange. I think the rivalry is back–which is good for both programs, I believe. However, I also believe that Mora has restored something to UCLA football that money can’t buy: pride and confidence. May the best team win tomorrow.

  4. P.S. Hey Scott, give Sark a break. This is his first year, coaching men he primarily did not recruit, and a team undermanned for at least 2 more years.

    Give the guy 3-years and then check out his record. SC is not favored to win tomorrow night, so why would it be earth-shattering if Sark does not win that game?

  5. Note to Scottie: although this is Sark’s first year as HC, he was an assistant at USC for 4 years and understands the rivalry.

    Note to Scottie: Stanford was a signature win – sorry.

    • Amen Helen – yes! Sark was there – 2nd December 2006 – in that infamous loss to ucla and DeWayne Walker’s defense – that game knocked Troy out of the BCS title game which is what the corrupt SEC and all the rest were so hoping to see happen. Sark knows only too well the magnitude of this game as well as that against Notre Dame.

      • My nephew and niece are both SC grads. We sat together at that game–they in their Trojan colors, and me in my Bruin colors. I literally was holding my niece afterwards while she cried in my arms. Oh, the emotion of great football….

        • Credit to DeWayne Walker – he never got a decent shot to head up ucla when Dorrell was sacked – went to Neuheisel. Then he tried at NM St. but that didn’t work out – now he;s w. Jacksonville NFL I believe as their DC.

          That never should have been a loss but then again Booty was the qb and that said it all. The other gut wrencher – Stanford in 2007 – they both have Booty in common and a seemingly sleepwalking PC ignoring what he always in the past, was ready for , the unexpected.

          • The improbability of that win, that year, is why it is so signficant in the great history of this rivalry. UCLA came in 6-5, and was given zero chance against #2 ranked USC. I’ve been blessed to see some awesome games live, including the classic 45-42 “Shootout” with Maddox-Marinovich, as well as the ’96 game when UCLA trailed 38-24 with less than 3 minutes to play. McNown and Skip Hicks pulled off the miracle, with Hicks evening the score with :39 seconds left in regulation, and then the Bruins won it 48-41 in 2OT. (The only OT game in the history of the rivalry, BTW). May tomorrow be a day like those days.

          • The sole solace in ’96 was J Robinson took down Holtz a week later – rare that happens i.e. lose to UCLA and defeat Notre Dame

          • I was at that ’96 game, and my dad wanted to leave in the 4th, because he’s one of those “beat the traffic” people. I made him stay, and couldn’t believe what happened. I think he even asked to leave during the OT!

          • South end zone? If so, I was to your left, seats on the 15 (where we still sit today). Classic game.

          • DeWayne Walker schooled your OC’s that day…I think Sark/Kiffin. Not sure who was calling plays. He did a great job. The entire program was set back when Guerrero chose Dorrell over Mike Riley. The Bruins were at their worst when SC was at their best. That was a very dark period for Bruin fans…and a happy one for SC. 2006 was a ray of sunshine in a totally forgettable decade for the Bruins.

          • You never contacted Riley fool – he was locked into the OR St. contract just as he was in 2001 when USC approached him – SD Chargers wouldn’t let him out of his SD Chargers contract and Riley never thought being tied to westwood is anything but grief

          • Your info is different than mine. It was reported that UCLA had talked to Riley but former Bruin players pushed for Dorrell.

          • No your AD Guerrero was pressured by the university to hire Dorrell – Dorrell had no HC coaching experience anywhere – you’ve fallen down a rabbit hole amigo – Guerrero was told he would give the ‘robot’ a job regardless of skill

          • My sources were the same as Prob U’s, comrade. Riley was contacted and interested, but Guerrero collapsed under the pressure of alums who wanted a UCLA guy. (My source/friend is former OL coach at OSU.)

          • Sorry Comrade, you are simply incorrect. And I will correct you without calling you a fool. I assume that UCLA football history is not your area of expertise.

            Riley had been fired by the Chargers after 2002. Riley and Dorrell were the top 2 candidates. Riley was not under contract and had not yet been hired by OSU the 2nd time around. Guerrero was a new AD and listened to a lot of former Bruins and Terry Donahue who highly recommended Karl Dorrell. I believe that Rick Neuheisel recommended him also because Dorrell was the OC under Neuheisel at Colorado. Guerrero chose Dorrell. Riley was then hired by OSU for his 2nd tour of duty.

            Both Dorrell and Riley started their respective stints in 2003. Feel free to look it up.

          • Wow…wish I had a recording. It was a bad hire, just not an affirmative action hire. Dorrell was a nice guy…Terry Donahue syndrome. SC continued on its magical run and we were coached by incompetents. Riley may have made a difference. Maybe not, once Carroll got that train rolling.

            Enjoy the game on TV tomorrow. One of us will by happy around 9pm.

          • Totally agree – you or I shall be happy @ 9:00 pm – going to mass – sing in the choir – out by 6:00 pm (I got priorities and football is 2nd)….all games are won in the 2nd half – all!

          • Dorrell was a 3 for 1 pick for UCLA FB coach. A former player, a UCLA grad and a young African-American that wanted a shot.

            UCLA was right to give Dorrell his shot, and though it didn’t work out FB wise, Dorrell and UCLA have nothing to regret.

          • Preach it, brother. Many tough games in the Rose Bowl over those years for us–suffering from BBS (Battered Bruin Syndrome). Relatively, it feels like the program has died and now gone to heaven.

          • Little Petey Pom-Pom’s OC was calling plays for Booty.

            Little Petey’s ultimate SUCC FB legacy is all about the games he lost, but should have won. UCLA, Tixis, Stanford – a 41 point dog at the crumbling mausoleum, etc.

            And, of course, LPPP didn’t know squat about SUCC’s lack of Institutional control.

    • Hi Helen, good point. See, I’m fair. Wolf is an idiot. Sark knows more about the rivalry that Work will ever appreciate. Unfortunately, Sark is also an idiot and he is unable to have a plan to compete against the bruins. Reality stinks.

      • Scottie is not an idiot. He has a clever shtick going with this blog and is laughing all the way to the bank with advertising revenue. He’s playing all of us for fools. If you take this blog with a grain of salt then it’s amusing, but some take it too seriously and get sucked in by the Daily News minions.

    • I was wondering the same thing. I was in high school in those days. I think Coach Sark is very clever. He knows what is important to emphasize and what is not. Since I was in 3rd grade, my dad has taken me to all of the home games plus Stanford, Cal and Notre Dame, when they were away games. Now that I am a SC student I take my dad to the games. The game against Stanford was the epitome of a signature win. Coach Sark knows the significance of the UCLA and Notre Dame games. I am a big fan of yours, Helen.

      • That’s awesome, Angie, that you take your dad to the games as a student. I used to do the same thing when I was at UCLA–and my dad was also a UCLA grad and varsity letterman. Really special to have those times with your Dad–my family has had season tix since ’88 to the Bruin games, and we lost our dad last year. Some of the best memories I have of him revolved around those great Saturdays. Enjoy, and may the best team win tomorrow!

  6. OF course this is a true rivalry by any measure of objective logic and crosstown only enhances the fact ; the rivalry is not based on how many national championships or heismans,it is based on exactly what makes a rivalry…competing to accomplish the same goal…they are rivals for players,alumni,fans,etc…add in conference and bowl games…even if both were at the bottom of standings it would be a rivalry…I sat through plenty of games ,in the rain and shine where all that mattered was SC beat those bruins,dating all the way back to 1951…Sark would not be the coach if he did not understand this in the depths of his soul.He is not like previous ones back in 90’s that stated SC needs to get used to losing and being mediocre as the ncaa and the politicians of this country seem to think is normal…equal outcome regardless of effort…whether it be in recruiting,work,preparation etc…SC is on its way back,,,has it arrived is the question that will be answered Saturday…ucla is a real rival by any measure,and a worthy one…they are for real.

      • Thanks for the heads up,I agree…but at 71 yrs of age I am past being faint of heart…or feint of heart…carry on.

    • Kudos, Yale. And for anyone growing up in the Southland (like many of us here on both sides of this rivalry), we GET it. It started in elementary school when you’d see your friend on the playground wearing his Trojan t-shirt; after pop warner games at the local pizza hangout still in grass-stained uniforms cheering for the Bruins or Trojans; at Thanksgiving dinner when the “winning side” tried to play it classy and not rub it into the faces of family members who were from “the other school.” At the office when close friends suddenly became trash-talking opponents of the opposite team, hanging their school banners all over their office. Yeah, you get it. May the best team win–and may it NOT be decided by crappy Pac-12 refs!

      • Amen! I have/had seven sisters – two of which ragged on me – their own brother – as they rooted for UCLA…the younger’s husband attended Miami-FL at which I exclaimed ‘You’re nothing but the USC of the south!” Which left him dumbfounded.

        1st Cousin in NJ her husband an Notre Dame grad which drove her father (my uncle nuts) – Loved his quote “What the he)) is this? Fighting Irish? Huh? I never heard of the Fighting Italians or Fighting Germans? Fighting Irish!!?” Which led me to say “Well considering their (Notre Dame’s) roster maybe they should change their name to the ‘Fighting Nigerians!”…drum roll….yeah babeee!

        • First, they were the Drinking Irish before they became the Fighting Irish.

          You may not want to claim Miami is the USC of the South. That has many connotations, not all of them positive.

          • True per the “Fightin Irish” and true it was MI fans that mocked them as barrachons (drunks) …. true also about Miami – that fraud Paul Dee …. need to expand the slots to ‘8’ games if only to give the lower ranked conferences a chance to enter the dance

  8. With the whole Bryce Dixon thing lingering, USC cannot afford another black eye before what is the biggest game of our season tomorrow.
    I heard Dixon got caught doing something illegal and they’re still ‘vestigating. What a good time for this kid to be doing something stupid….Distractions.

  9. Just heard that Wilcox may be gone after this season and that there is turmoil brewing among the staff. Sark better grab the bull by the horns….now why do I feel like Sark isn’t that good at managing a disciplined staff?

    • 5-Star!? Ave. Speed, Ave. Height, Ave. Ability, Unknown heart and desire. Based on what I saw on Hudl tape, JS would have trouble starting at a top 25 HS team in Ca. or Fla.

    • I peruse the ‘festive one’ (you know the bouquet of his derriere) has replied to you…festive….GLBT….tax supported ‘majors’ for those who like their perversion paid for…then again what else does the ‘left’ want? Hmmm left…the stench of klintonska….and now the con jo’ momma – Obamska Chevrolet…five miles down that Santa Ana Freeway …Obamska Chevrolet.

      No problemo per immagration no – it’s all the other fraud con games this GLBT’ lovah gets all that love oh man love!…

      Hey BTW how ’bout klintonska…he gets a pass cause he be left…”I won’t get outted like Bill Cosby cuz’ I’m wat’ the fem8na%is love the best… I am a demokratiche!… and that’s what controls ucla..it always has and always will…I am a demokratiche…. state pensions for lazy govt. SEIU frauds – especuially those ‘brave’ (laugheter) fire fighters…fight that fire…pose for the WEHO calendar…

      Hey let’s all now all jump on Cosby (with reason) but nothing about klintonska chevrolet…nah never for the left demokratiche partei…never for them….never for Jack our Jack….if only…gone are the days….Bobbie…Teddie. Much better to honor Angela Davis – a stone cold Communist Marxist-Leninst or hey maybe worse condemn Israel…

      Wooden…Sam G8ilbert…best quote from woodie “I have a clear conscience..” yeah gramps because you never had any idea of what said conscience ever looked like. Gilbert took one look at you an knew you were a pu7z….

      • Hmmm it seems that west side limousine whitebread is replying…white…bread…left …wing…lover of grampie woodie

      • I find your rants entertaining, Comrade. Especially since me and many of my UCLA alum friends are the antithesis of left-wing liberals. And my father–God rest his soul–was the dirt-poor son of a single mom growing up in the depression who went to UCLA after WWII supported by my Mom, who was accepted to UCLA but instead worked to get my Dad through school. Very bootstrap mentality folks. To my Dad, Reagan was the fourth person of the Trinity.

        • Many many thanks! No. SD County – my father too – So. Pacific – 1942 – Iron Bottom Sound – PT Boat commander – my uncle OSS (Italy and Egypt) my mom’s father WWI – Argonne Forest – Master Sgt. and cousin in ‘nam.

          I hate the left and I fear for poor Israel – come Lord Jesus!

          • Hats off to the service of those men in your family. My Dad was an electrician’s mate on the USS battleship Mississippi (sister ship to the Arizona), from early ’44 til the end of the war. Involved in Battle of Okinawa, then one of the first large vessels to enter Tokyo Bay after the surrender.

          • My dad was assigned to the USS Duluth after the PT’s were mothballed after they left the Solomons…he also went in to Yokoska (sic) naval Base (Japan) in September 1945….had no idea what to expect…took a squad in w. thompson machine guns level – walked up a 8-10 ft. bluff and all he and the rest of the Americans saw were Japanese soldiers – on their knees – hands raised – surrender – it was the happiest day of his left after he married my mom – which he had some 8 mos. preceding – Jan. 1945.

        • Correct me if I wrong, but didn’t the effervescent Ronnie Usher say something to the effect “Taxes should hurt.”

          Yet following Ronnie’s second term didn’t the Democratic Congress give Ronnie and Mummy a pass on the Usher’s past due/in the arrears Federal Taxes.

          • UCLA 35 – SUCC 24. What with the Jackie Robinson Celebration and Lucie (sic) – South’s commitment, the final score could be wider. The Bruins need to begin a 5 game winning streak, so the Bruin must maintain their eyeballs on the ultimate CF prizem, not just the SUCC hat trick.

  11. Just in – Mora stated yesterday repeatedly that he wasn’t into rah rah speeches i.e. “win one for the Gipper” – then he goes out last night and says this at the squelched non-fire in Westwood.

    “It don’t matter because one thing about ucla is we don’t need a frickin’ fire to get it f)@%ing fire to get it turned up!”

    http://www dot sbnation
    dot com/college-football/2014/11/21/7258889/jim-mora-ucla-bonfire-turn-up

    What a fool – yeah a real example of mature leadership

    • He’s a mystery wrapped inside a riddle. First he’s grabbing his DC’s cheeks, now he’s goin’ all John Wayne on the Bruin faithful at the bonfire. And that’s what we love about him. Fire in the belly. A player’s coach. Bringing the swagger back to Westwood.

      • I don;t know – the guy reminds one of someone who is (regardless of his denials) all about ‘me’….classless usng that language esp. in the age of social media –

        • I was a bit surprised and disappointed with the f-bomb. Unnecessary. I suppose my point is that I’d rather have a passionate coach who has the lockerroom rather than a “nice guy” coach who goes 7-6 each year (as we did with CRN and Dorrell). I do think Mora is a decent guy, and I do like the way he’s running the program.

          • I don’t know No. SD County – Mora reminds me a bit of a control freak – when that poor kid ran into traffic down in San Clemente just before 2013 began he (Mora) met the parents and told them he would handle the media – he would. He acts like he’s relaxed on his radio interviews on 570 AM but there is always no real kidding around w. him and he never ever admits what the rest of the scribes and analysts think of a player’s performance – I get loyalty but w. Mora he just so seems to love his hands on the levers of power.

            I think Rick had passion I just don’t think he was that good a coach now as to Dorrell – w.o. a doubt the ‘pc’ choice of the last decade – completely out of his skill set – like to see DeWayne Walker try again.

          • It’s an interesting discussion, Comrade–especially because you seem to understand leadership principles quite well. I’ve worked on executive teams where the leader was a control freak but loyal to his people, sometimes to a fault. I’ve also been part of teams where the leader was hands-off, but tended to neglect the concerns and issues of her team. Mora does seem like a Controller, yet it seems balanced by his genuine passion for the kids (thought he handled the Pasquale tragedy really well). A mixed bag–like most of us, I guess. But I hear what you are saying. Time will tell. Bona fide a**holes eventually show their true colors.

          • I don’t know No. SD County – Mora reminds me a bit of a control freak – when that poor kid ran into traffic down in San Clemente just before 2013 began he (Mora) met the parents and told them he would handle the media – he would. He acts like he’s relaxed on his radio interviews on 570 AM but there is always no real kidding around w. him and he never ever admits what the rest of the scribes and analysts think of a player’s performance – I get loyalty but w. Mora he just so seems to love his hands on the levers of power.

            I think Rick had passion I just don’t think he was that good a coach now as to Dorrell – w.o. a doubt the ‘pc’ choice of the last decade – completely out of his skill set – like to see DeWayne Walker try again.

          • I don’t know No. SD County – Mora reminds me a bit of a control freak – when that poor kid ran into traffic down in San Clemente just before 2013 began he (Mora) met the parents and told them he would handle the media – he would. He acts like he’s relaxed on his radio interviews on 570 AM but there is always no real kidding around w. him and he never ever admits what the rest of the scribes and analysts think of a player’s performance – I get loyalty but w. Mora he just so seems to love his hands on the levers of power.

            I think Rick had passion I just don’t think he was that good a coach now as to Dorrell – w.o. a doubt the ‘pc’ choice of the last decade – completely out of his skill set – like to see DeWayne Walker try again.

  12. UCLA this week, ND next… are we again looking at the possibility of “Seven win Sark”? USC has the better athletes & coaching staff to position them. But will Sark’s game management win the game?

    • I beg to differ – Troy has little depth – we’re still 30 full scholarships down from full strength – won;t be back to where the rest are until the beginning of the 2016 season.

  13. Breaking News: UCLA has already sold 5k tickets from the 7k USuCk couldn’t sell, I expect hundreds more will sell late to last minute attendees… .

    Eeestupid “Clown College” – ESPN

  15. Hey Scottie…just want to say you made a nice choice with the picture. Great uniforms! I wish we still had those nice, powder blue unis with the proper stripe on them. What a great contrast between the cardinal and the powder blue.

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