USC Morning Buzz: An Eighth Straight Victory Amid Skepticism

juju-notre-dame-fansUSC ended the regular season in resounding style as Adoree Jackson put on a one-man show. In my analysis, I look at how USC’s fans remained skeptical throughout the season.

Excerpt: The season ended with an average home attendance of 68,459 per game, the lowest since 2002. If USC’s own fans are not too excited, why should anyone else be? Not that it deterred the Trojans from enjoying the often-wet atmosphere in the Coliseum.

“I felt like it was back in 2005,” USC safety Chris Hawkins said. “We were dancing in the student section.”

Full story here

55 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: An Eighth Straight Victory Amid Skepticism

  1. People knew it was going to be bad weather. It is Thanksgiving weekend, and people make plans to be out of town. Plus ND sucks and it wasn’t going to be a close game. SC fans are pleased with how things are going. SW is always looking for the negative! Can’t wait for the Rose Bowl after Washington defeats Colorado!

  2. So lame and tired… 8 game win streak and nothing but negativity… Does anyone even read this clown’s stories???

  3. USC IS 8 and 9 in the early coaches and media poll ..Colorado dropped even with a win.. I bet USC gets the bid for the Rose Bowl.. Should Washington win huge against the Buffs.✌

  4. Not a lot of fans full of turkey and excess want to head into a rainy, stormy Coli featuring the worst Irish team since the Weis days. Many of my USC friends were out-of-town on vacation.

    Great USC win. Iconic, amazing, almost laughable performance by Adoree. Love the Heisman poses. USC headed to Rose or Cotton.

    SW will come up with something black to obscure USC’s rise back into a power football position – but there is no denying it has happened at the expense of the woeful little gutties and the Domers.

    Now, Recruit On, load up with more athletic OLs and DLs and congrats to all the USC players and coaches for righting the ship and resetting the Trojans to top 10 stature.

    • I passed on the game, gave my tickets to my nephew on leave from the Navy.. He took his wife and two of their HS friends… I enjoyed the 70′ and the fireplace..

    • I don’t like the Heisman poses – it wreaks of individualism in a team sport. You’ll never see Darnold doing that stuff.

      Adoree got carried away with himself during the game and it cost a fumble and blown coverage – resulting in two TDs. That can cost the team a victory in a close game.

      • I didn’t think I would like the Heisman poses either.

        But when I saw him playing mannequin and clearly overwhelmed with his good fortune, I thought to myself he was expressing his feelings about saying goodbye to the Coli crowd. He is a performer, after all.

        Over his full three years at SC, no player has produced nor given more to the Trojans IMHO. He’ll be our only All-America and he’s earned it with a smile on his face and is always helpful to other team’s players, in a joyful way too

        I’ve seen other players look crossways at him and he can diffuse them before they even get a chance to get started.

        He never even gets mad at himself for more than a second after a dropped pick or stumble – which is rare in today’s self-obsessed world.

        Ironically, I think he’s the ultimate team player, even though he skipped spring for track and now celebrates his insane athleticism after scores.

        What he did yesterday I haven’t seen since the days of A.D. over 40 years ago. A.D. also had his own special knee dance in the end zone after every TD which I hadn’t thought of until just now.

        Obviously, I’m in Adoree’s corner all the way. I stand off amazed at what he does, as I think his team-mates do as well.

        We won’t see another like Adoree in my lifetime I’m sure. Hope to see just one more TD celebration before he hands the reigns fully off to the next USC superstar, Sam Darnold.

        And you’re right. I don’t think Sam will be seen celebrating much. Each has their own great way of making these Trojans the team nobody (except ALA) want anything to do with now.

        • I agree completely. I would have used the word “entertainer” instead of “performer” but we’re on the same page. There’s a fine line between athletic competition and entertainment and I’d just like to see Adoree stay on the former. My problem (dislike) with the NFL is too many players think they are entertainers with their juvenile end zone dances.

          I would add that Adoree is always there to say some encouragement to an opposing player when they get injured. It’s friendly competition for Adoree and that is refreshing.

          I really looked like Saturday was Adoree’s last game at the Coliseum and he wanted to go out in style and he did.

  5. The true guage is the student section. They filled 3 Sections. Dressed in cotton hoodies and getting soaked, they stayed the entire game. Started a “one more year” chant for Adorree. Ignited a sideline dance during a long TV time out. That’s the player’s bubble… When SW’s fans go home, players are back on campus warmly treated by their USC family.

  6. Typical Debbie Downer article. Helton turns around the program in four games, USC ends the season on an 8 game winning streak and has become one of the most feared programs in college football, destroys both UCLA and Notre Dame, possibly heads into the postseason for the Rose Bowl – and the Blogger uses 90% of his article to criticize the program. Really?

    Maybe you should report on the 6 sacks totaled by the defense? How about what recruits were visiting the game? Or at least the status of Ware?

    And I hope the NCAA comes up with some stiff penalties for Jerry Tillery (#99) for kicking Ware’s helmet as he laid on the ground with an apparent concussion. Allowing Notre Dame to handle the discipline internally is not sufficient.

    • Wow, Helen good points. Hey Wolf, what recruits were at the game Saturday? Is it a secret? What is your position on Tillery, should the NCAA step in? Should USC take out a hit?

  7. CNN Tagline of the Day:

    “Referee Ron Cherry Accidentally Taken Down by USC LB Michael Hutchings”

    Note: Cherry was taken to the hospital so hopefully he will be okay. Two serious head injuries in one game.

    • It was a great hit and a great day. Refs called a horrible game.

      But Adoree was classic Adoree. He sure rose to the occasion when we needed him most. What a gamer!

  8. What is up with the crowd count. BFD!! For just once put something of substance on here. Tillery going to get discipline? Any possible coaching changes? Wolf, you are going to lose all the people on here with this BS you post.

    • I’m glad I went. Adoree gave us a performance we will remember forever. And I’m happy to say I haven’t caught a cold yet!

      • Shame Gomer didn’t know how to use Ajax , he would have won the Heisman. Didn’t need him at corner this year, the qb’s all suck. On O he scores running, catching, and returning kicks 4x a game. You don’t lose to crappy Stanford or Utah. Maybe not to Bama by 60.
        Poor coaching by Gomer. Ajax deserved better but then next year he gets paid

        • Pendergast also blew the Stanford game by allowing them to drop back and pass without any pressure from the defense. The one time we face a slow drop back offense and he sits on his hands. We should have been in their faces all game. Of course if Sam played against Stanford we would have beat them and UTAH. That’s on Helton. I think Adoree being on offense was much of a big deal. If he wasn’t on defense then we would look a lot softer in the secondary.

  9. Irish really played the loser role to the max yesterday.

    They really compounded their felony season with their stupid, unsavory antics. Sometimes, when it rains, it pours.

  10. I hope that refs ok from yesterday.. They need safety helmets and jackets under their black and whites.

  11. Wolf can’t admit that this game showed that the team is more than just Sam, because he is sure that is the only reason we won 8 in a row.

    • Great point. I never believed the Sam was the sole reason for the turnaround, but he certainly contributed. The Blogger claimed Sam covered up for Helton’s deficiencies – which he certainly must admit now was wrong.

      Moment of the game was when Ajene Harris gave Helton the ball after his interception. The team is 100% behind Helton and the assistant coaches.

  12. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical over Helton. I was always confident in the talent. I decided to take a wait and see, keeping hopeful good things would happen. At the end of September I was starting to see the points of those that wanted him gone. The Arizona game showed me a change, Colorado game made me realize perhaps there was something there and the rest of the season cemented it, to me. I am behind Helton has head coach, perhaps some changes to assistants are needed, nothing major unless a killer OC is available, but then we lose a great recruiter. The bowl will bring USC quality opposition and then the recruiting war really kicks in.
    I see 2017 filled with hope and promise. Perhaps a couple of linemen from jr. college would help, but some top recruits would help also. Lets give Darnold everything he needs to win it all.

    • So far so good Steve. Helton has turned this around. I like the direction of this program. Let’s put a cherry on top with a win in the bowl game.

        • I would bet Alamo cuz UW will get locked out of the playoffs by the rigged committee that won’t leave OSU out even though they didn’t even win their division.

        • If UW beats Colorado and goes to the Playoff the Rose Bowl Committee will take the highest ranked team in the conference. That would be USC. If we are ranked in the top 9 we are considered an at large team for a Major Bowl. The Rose Bowl or The Cotton Bowl. I agree, we have to make sure Baxter is happy but we also have to make sure we hold onto Tee Martin. He’s the reason why Adoree, Biggie, Jackie, Chuma Edoga, and many others to SC. He’s knows football and he gets the best players that Helton, Sark, and Kiffin couldn’t. Pendergast did a good job.but I don’t think and NFL teams will come after him. We may end up having the whole staff return.

    • steveg, I know it’s asking a lot, but if Ju-Ju and Adoree stay for their Senior Year, the Trojans will be playing for the NCAA 2017 National Championship come Jan, 2018, IT’S A GIVEN. FIGHT ON !!!

  13. And if the bandwagon fans have been hesitant to join the party during adversity, we’ll welcome them back when they feel comfortable next year. Don’t want anyone to come to the games who aren’t fully comfortable with the team. We true fans had a blast this season. Yesterday was fun as hell – even during the consecutive official reviews and a timeout. Loved the post game activities.

  14. crowds will get even smaller without Ajax and the Ju. Once Darnold leaves Gomerball will hit Hackett type levels.
    Poor crowds this year

  15. You still never answered the question: if “this whole blog is premised on negativity and there is little journalism or “inside USC” info being supplied” then why do you bother reading it every day?

  16. Best atmosphere I have seen at the Coliseum in a long time. As soon as the rain started, everyone was having fun except the soggy ND fans. The team could have easily folded after September. Personalities like Adoree kept them together. You can’t get that guy down. He will be a special pro, as much for his positive influence on team chemistry as his talent.

    • The cameras showed a half-empty Coliseum after the rains started…and the crowd dwindled continuously for the rest of the game. Real CFB fans from the midwest must have been rolling their eyes at the fair weather SC fans….

      • There were about 20-30K in the tunnels. Classic LA sports fans for sure. The come late, leave early to beat traffic always amazes me.

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