Hancock Season Over
Tests revealed USC fullback Brandon Hancock tore knee ligaments and he is out for the season.
``He worked so hard, it's most unfortunate,'' USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``It's a terrible thing. We've got Ryan Powdrell, Jody Adewale and Stanley Havili and maybe we can do some other things.''
This is the second time Hancock tore ligaments in his left knee. He tore his ACL and MCL for the second time. Hancock said he would not apply for a sixth year because he might risk permanent damage to his knee but would like to participate in Pro Day as a final gesture.
"It would be a good sense of closure to say goodbye to the game on a positive note," Hancock said.

Comments
Poor guy he he seems to always have problems with injuries. I wish him the best and a speedy recovery
Posted by: marlonmj | August 15, 2006 11:11 AM
what a bummer for brandon and usc
Posted by: jeremy | August 15, 2006 11:35 AM
Brandon, we will never forget that you were part of those National Championships, and you are a great Trojan Forever...
Posted by: DAVID | August 15, 2006 11:53 AM
Good grief. I feel sorry for him seeing as he works so hard but I really do think his muscle mass has a lot to do with his injuries. Carlisle seems to stress core work, flexibility and stamina over muscle mass and it seems Hancock really focuses on just the opposite. I can't imagine him going through rehab again to return next season. I gotta think this is it for him.
Posted by: Tyler | August 15, 2006 11:58 AM
I actually think giant quick POWdrell can be better. But this will hurt the team GPA with him and the Ting's gone. Who else is going to grad school on the team, Scott? It's a good time to brag about some of the other smart Trojans.
Posted by: Matt | August 15, 2006 12:09 PM
that sucks that this happened to him again. well best of luck in whatever else his doing.
Posted by: edward | August 15, 2006 12:44 PM
I hate that for him and for the Football team.
I want my Hogs to beat you but certainly not at the expense of players health.
Posted by: Porknoxville | August 15, 2006 12:45 PM
I'm sure glad Pete moved Powdrell to FB in the Spring. I hope Adewale is ready. Maybe Tom-Tom Williams will move to FB so Havili can redshirt and add bulk. Williams has the aggression and speed to play the position. Does he have the hands?
Posted by: warren | August 15, 2006 12:49 PM
Tyler, just because Brandon was a big guy doesn't mean he didn't work on core strength. There is such thing as just being unlucky with injuries and having a foot plant with your leg at a weird angle and having your knee give out. To say Hancock focused on "just the opposite" is about as ignorant a comment as you can make.
Posted by: SN | August 15, 2006 12:57 PM
What a total bummer for him and for SC, sorry to read this. Keep on Fightin Brandon.
Posted by: TrojanHorse | August 15, 2006 01:00 PM
One word...WWE!
Posted by: Eddie | August 15, 2006 01:19 PM
This is terrible. But when we lost the Ting's all anyone could do was rip on them. Do you not remember when Brandon dropped the pass on 2nd and 10 in the last possession in the Rose Bowl? Everyone remembered the dropped interception by the Ting brother but I guess the white guy gets the pass on this one.
Posted by: TrojanFromFla | August 15, 2006 01:32 PM
Well said David!!! Brandon thanks for the great catches that resulted in the great sneak attck touchdowns....I loved those plays where you came out of the backfield and were never covered resulting in a touchdown.........Fight On
Posted by: Irish4USC | August 15, 2006 02:18 PM
BRANDON IS EXAMPLE OF THE PERFECT TROJAN..---- HE HAS GIVEN GOOD YEARS TO TROY AND WILL GIVE EVEN BETTER YEARS AS AN ALUM.....HE IS GOING FOR A MASTERS DEGREE AND HE HAS PREPARED FOR THE REAL WORLD HIS ENTIRE LIFE....HE IS A COMMUNICATION MAJOR AND WE SHALL SEE HIM AT SOME ANNOUNCER BOOTH, CALLING A FOOTBALL GAME.................
Posted by: roc | August 15, 2006 02:26 PM
Does this mean Hancock is going to officially retire right now??
All I remember is that last year Hancock was talking about the NFL and how he would retire if he suffered another injury. Hell, he wasn't even a starter! Well guess what, he got hurt again.
This is terrible for him, but this officially signifies the end of his football playing days. It has been five years since he went to his HS combine (2001), and we all expected bigger things out of THE HULK!
Ever since reading that article in SI on Hancock in June 2002, I thought he would be better than Mike Alstott. Looks like the injury bug was more like an injury plague....but seriously, all this time, I had a gut feeling that Hancock would be injured again this season.
Not that I wanted it to happen, but its just come to be expected among the Trojan fans that The Hulk is injury prone and cannot stay healthy. This comes as no surprise since Hancock has been hurt every year since he has been here. Also, in the article last year that said Hancock would retire if he got hurt again, it stated that he has already had 13 surgeries!!! WTF??!!!
Just hope Powdrell plays like he did in 2001 for MVHS, where he was a beast and opened huge holes for Robbie Dubois. If Ryan plays like the fullback he was in 2001 as a senior at Mission Viejo, we're gonna have HUGE holes. The only question is whether or not Powdrell has any hands....? Who would have thought that Stanley Havili, who has obviously not recieved as much fanfare as all the other outstanding frosh, could play a HUGE role this year at FB. Thank god PC convinced him not to take a mission right away!
FIGHT ON!
Posted by: John Redcorn | August 15, 2006 03:07 PM
I think the frustration over the Tings, which I do not share, was the fact that they were on the field to begin with. Hancock was supposed to be on the field for that play, and most of the blame would go to Leinart for the poor throw or to Sarkiffian for the strange call (although if it's caught we probably get a 1st down).
Oh well...we'll miss you, Brandon.
Posted by: Trojanhoya | August 15, 2006 03:14 PM
Nooooo!!! Dammit! I'm sorry to hear 'bout The Hulk. But there is life after football, and with your stellar GPA (in what?) there should be opportunities aplenty. Eddie stole my thunder about the WWE. As far as other non-academic careers, perhaps bodyguard for VIPs or even the Secret Service? Whatever you do, wherever you go, Fight On! You will be missed. You were my favorite white player, ahead of B-Cush and Sammy Baker. And remember, once you're out of school, you've got $zero school debt. One door has closed (albeit a majestic one) and another has opened. You've just got to find it and step through.
Posted by: Trojan National | August 15, 2006 03:21 PM
Brandon, we salute you for your effort and poise as a member of the trojan football program. We are glad to hear your spirits are up & positive about rehabing back to playing shape for the NFL. In the meantime, ride the success of the program you helped along and keep on your fellow fullbacks in doing the best they can! /fight on!
Posted by: David | August 15, 2006 03:59 PM
Sorry to see this happen. I have been reading his blogs for awhile now and it seemed he was ready to show everybody what he could do. Even though he was no Reggie or Lendale, Brandon was a vital part to the offense. Good luck in whatever you do.
Posted by: Socal | August 15, 2006 04:25 PM
Any chance of a medical redshirt?
Posted by: Ben | August 15, 2006 04:29 PM
Hey, stop for a second & read the cool post from Porknoxville, Arkansas... That was a classy statement Dude, I appreciate your sportsmanship. Very cool. When there's a timeout due to injury you always wish the other guy well, no matter what. USC are still the Kings of College Football, and we're still gonna barbecue your baby-back ribs in Arkie, but after the game I would shake your hand, because in the end your'e a great American.
(cue Nat'l Anthem music, thanx)
Posted by: DAVID | August 15, 2006 05:57 PM
Brandon Fight On Brother
I hope to see you doing big things in the future
Posted by: TrojanIvan | August 15, 2006 08:03 PM
I met you after spring game your 1st year - said you came to SC because you wanted to be a part of something special - oh boy - were you right on!!!! - So sorry about another injury - but I'm sure you will recover and will have a great career at whatever you decide to do - thanks for your dedication - FIGHT ON
Posted by: Richard | August 15, 2006 09:14 PM