September 2006 Archives
Tailback Stafon Johnson made his first appearance of the season and lined up at wide receiver. Johnson immediately made an impact, getting called for offensive pass interference.
USC coach Pete Carroll offered an obvious but simple point after the game.
``It's hard to be 4-0,'' he said.
Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin pointed out that USC's gone undefeated in the regular season the other two times it started 4-0 under Carroll. And 1-1 in bowl games, for those keeping score.
USC quarterback John David Booty on tonight's performanace: ``I just felt good. I’m playing more and more. My offensive line blocked its butts off. It seemed like I’ve been through a couple of these close games now though.''
USC center Ryan Kalil said the Trojans' narrow lead did not weigh on the players' minds in the fourth quarter.
``We’ve been in these situations before, there’s no time to think about those things,'' Kalil said. ``There’s no time to think, `What if we lose?' But it is a little more close for comfort.''
Feel free to post your thoughts. Lots of praise for John David Booty and Steve Smith in the locker room. Looks like the secondary still has some work to do.
``The young guys were in some situations and made some mistakes, but those guys will grow through that. We’re going to keep calling on them,'' Pete Carroll said. ``It’s good for us. This is a program that needs experiences to grow.''
Wide receiver Chris McFoy is in street clothes with a left shoulder injury along with linebacker Luthur Brown, who is on crutches.
UPDATE: McFoy bruised his left shoulder and Brown strained his hamstring. No announcements yet on how long they will be out. Emmanuel Moody sprained his ankle but said he was OK.
Among the recruits Washington State brought to the game was La Canada High tailback LaVelle Peterson, who rushed for a school-record 345 yards and five touchdowns last week. The Cougars' starting tailback, Dwight Tardy, is also from Southern California and attended St. Paul High.
Outside my hotel room window, the Trojans are conducting a walk-through in the parking lot, giving a shock to a couple people walking by and anyone driving into the WinCoFoods 24-hour market which is across the street.
It's extremely mild up in Pullman and today's high is forecast for 78 degrees. That's a vast improvement from the hail storm that greeted USC during warmups two years ago.
Freshman safety Taylor Mays said he feels comfortable enough after two starts that games are not his biggest worry.
``I feel like tomorrow’s practice will be harder than Saturday’s game,’’ Mays said.
Mays also said he likes playing the ``center field'' spot in the Trojans' secondary.
``I’m not feeling a lot of pressure but I know if I make a mistake it’s a touchdown,'' he said.
Freshman tailback Stafon Johnson will make his second straight road trip. Last week, Johnson was not on the travel roster but became a late addition. This time, he was on the official list
USC coach Pete Carroll, some players, the band and song girls recently visited USC Women's and Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. While passing the maternity ward, a song girl noticed the bright ceiling lights and said, ``Is that to keep the babies tan?''
No one picked the correct score last week, let's see if someone can for the big game this weekend.
Is this season a truer test for USC's offensive coaches?
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_4414885
Could USC fullback Brandon Hancock return for a bowl game?
It’s a thought being considered because the senior is making a fast recovery after tearing knee ligaments last month.
``I’d like to suit up, run a play and maybe catch a ball,’’ Hancock said. ``If the trainers feel I can, it might be cool.’’ Hancock said he rides an exercise bike 20 miles a day and suffers no pain or atrophy in his knee since the operation.
``It’s been a freakish recovery,’’ he said.
USC coach Pete Carroll said he’s discussed the possibility of a return with Hancock.
``I think it might be too farfetched but his will wants him to come back,’’ Carroll said.
Cornerback Kevin Thomas (sprained ankle) will make the trip and play against Washington State. Dallas Sartz is ready to play safety, if needed. Linebacker Brian Cushing did not practice to rest his sore ankle but said he would be fine.
As expected, neither Dwayne Jarrett nor Sedrick Ellis will make the trip to Washington State.
USC coach Pete Carroll said the Trojans could fall apart just easily as Miami or any other recent college dynasty, despite winning 48 of 50 games.
``Heck yeah, we could,’’ Carroll said. ``It’s a finely tuned instrument. It’s not just the players or coaches. It’s both.’’
The extra tickets for the Washington game were returned as unsold tickets by the University of Washington.
Pete Carroll bumped into agent Leigh Steinberg on Wednesday night, because Steinberg was invited to speak on campus. Steinberg pointed out to Carroll that the last time he was in Heritage Hall, the USC coach directed profanity at a group of agents he wanted to speak with, including Steinberg.
Carroll talked to Steinberg about his current pet project, figuring out how to ban agents from talking to college athletes.
Kicker David Buehler, who also plays safety, is the latest to get a try out at fullback. With Buehler stuck behind Troy Van Blarcom as the kickoff specialist and not likely to play at safety, he can try to learn the position, unlike Luthur Brown, who is a linebacker and has aspirations of starting one day.
One of our spies received this email from the USC ticket office Wednesday.
``A limited number of tickets to see the Trojans home game versus Washington have just been released. Be sure to get your tickets today.’’
This means two things: Tickets are available, even if you are not a student, for an upcoming home game. And USC has not sold out all six home games yet, despite making the claim every week in press releases.
Allen Bradford asked to move back to safety. He requested a meeting with Pete Carroll and Carroll gave him the option of playing safety, fullback or tailback and Bradford chose safety.
Bradford said "it was tempting" to play fullback but he always preferred safety. He will remain there now, barring a rash of injuries at tailback.
UPDATED: Dallas Sartz moved to safety because Kevin Ellison rested his knee but Carroll said Sartz could play if needed on Saturday. Kevin Thomas practiced and could play. It's too soon to tell if Sedrick Ellis will be available.
Dallas Sartz started out practice working at safety before moving back to his preferred linebacker.
Allen Bradford is also practicing at safety. Dwayne Jarrett showed up for the start of practice but left.
The offensive line is making slow progress, just like the rest of the offense.
``They were better (against Arizona),'' offensive line coach Pat Ruel said. ``We're replacing a lot of guys, and we're not getting the same consistency but it's starting to come.''
Offensive tackle Sam Baker goes against Washington State defensive end Mkristo Bruce on Saturday. Last year, Bruce beat Baker on an early play, then was fairly well contained. Bruce had five sacks against Stanford.
"If he gets five sacks this week, daggone, he's an All-American,'' Washington State coach Bill Doba said.
Freshman Vidal Hazelton is getting a lot more work in practice this week. Not necessarily because he will play against Washington State but because if Patrick Turner gets injured, Hazelton will be the next guy up in the rotation and needs to be ready to play.
As the chart below shows, games are 15 minutes shorter so far this season thanks to the new clock rules.
Category 2005 2006 Difference
Plays/Game 168 152 16 plays
Game time 3:20 3:05 15 minutes
``It's making a difference. I think somebody did the stats. It's eight or nine plays to 12 plays is where we've heard is the range,'' USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``I don't want these games to end in a hurry. I'd rather play and stay out there as long as we can. We only get to play 12 or 13 a year you know. The longer the better, but if we could turn it, I'd vote for turn it.''
USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said he is unfazed by critics.
``Criticism from the fans or media, I’ve grown up around this, I know you can’t please everyone,’’ he said. ``It’s about getting guys ready and improving. If someone writes a story or says something it’s not going to change the way I’m doing my job.''
Dwayne Jarrett is not practicing today but will see the doctors tonight. Chauncey Washington had his best practice and said he got his burst back.
"It was noticeable he was different," Pete Carroll said.
The Luthur Brown fullback experiment is over because Carroll said it would take too much time to learn a new position during the season.
Travon Patterson missed practice with a possible concussion.
While USC fans might yearn for his return, we hear there's only two jobs right now that would seriously appeal to Norm Chow under ideal circumstances: North Carolina State and Arizona State.
It never showed up in the stats, but another player who drew praise on special teams was linebacker Kaluka Maiava. Speaking of stats, defensive end Lawrence Jackson was credited with two half-sacks and three assisted tackles that were not originally given to him Saturday night.
Since 1984, USC is 8-2 in games played in Pullman, Wash. The losses were memorable: 1986, 34-14, USC's worst loss ever to Washington State and 2002, the overtime loss that was the Trojans' final loss of that Orange Bowl-season.
There have been some close calls: 1989, 1991, 1996, and 1999. The 1986 game was the only time a USC team in the AP Top 10 lost to Washington State. Top 10 USC teams are 14-1 against Washington State, with No. 3-ranked USC teams 2-0 (1975 and 2003).
USC's student senate will vote on the following resolution tonight. It includes some unaddressed issues, such as tickets alloted for road games and bowl games and the confusion among Coliseum staff, campus security and the student affairs staff.
A lot of comparisons were made around USC on Monday between the 2003 and 2006 seasons because of the similarities (first-year quarterbacks, freshmen tailbacks). But when USC lost its fourth game in 2003, consider that Reggie Bush entered that contest with just 20 carries and LenDale White 15.
The same mistake is not being made this time around. Emmanuel Moody already has 37 carries (and 258 yards). USC coach Pete Carroll made sure he didn't wait too long this time around to have a freshman tailback ready to go for Pac-10 play. Whatever else happens, Moody's got more experience than Bush/White at a similar stage.
Someone who stood out against Arizona was freshman cornerback Vincent Joseph, who made some key blocks on special teams and a tackle as he filled the vital role of gunner on the punt team.
From vice president of student affairs Michael Jackson on the student-ticket fiasco.
``We did not plan well; we did not communicate well; we did not seek student advice to the degree that we needed to.''
The university just announced changes in this year's student ticket plan and the availability of seats for next year's games:
Pete Carroll said Dwayne Jarrett wants to try to return this week but it's too soon to tell if he will.
No changes to the fullback position yet but Carroll said the tight ends will perform more blocking duties usually reserved for the fullback. That includes Fred Davis and Dale Thompson.
USC coach Pete Carroll prides himself on the fact the Trojans led the nation in turnover ratio the past five years (+1.5) and the 189 takeaways in that span also was tops in the country.
But USC is just +1 in the past two games.
``I’m always concerned about the turnover situation,'' Carroll said. ``We need to get the ball and put it on that end of the field. The one interception (against Arizona), that can happen. Chauncey (Washington) got one punched out. It’s keeping the score down.''
One reason Pac-10 replay official Gordon Riese took a leave of absence following last week's Oklahoma-Oregon controversy was because he received death threats from Sooners fans.
The Washington game at the Coliseum will start at 12:30 p.m. and be televised on Fox Sports Net.
Here's the report card for the USC-Arizona game:
Arizona's 44 plays were the fewest against USC since Pittsburgh had 34 in 1974, a 16-7 Trojans' victory. That's one reason the lackluster game lasted just three hours, 10 minutes, which is shorter than all but one game last season (USC vs. Washington, 3:06).
USC coach Pete Carroll talked about John David Booty on Sunday night, and in particular, the lack of big plays.
``Booty played really well. They did a nice job on him but he made really good decisions. He played very solid again. He’s continued to stay on mark. He had about six inches of distance on three different passes, the two passes to Steve Smith and the pass over the middle to Fred Davis, all were catchable balls. He was about three inches from three incredible throws.''
X-rays today revealed wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett sprained his shoulder. He is considered doubtful this week and could be out two-to-four weeks, but doctors are unsure because each individual responds differently to these type of injuries.
``It could be a two-to-four week deal. We’ve got to wait and see. I don’t know,'' USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``I wouldn’t be surprised knowing the competitor he is if he tried to go.''
Patrick Turner steps into the starting lineup if Jarrett is out while freshman Vidal Hazelton could also get some playing time.
USC tried a couple ``imaginative'' plays against Arizona. Neither worked. Tailback Desmond Reed threw an incomplete pass while wide receiver Travon Patterson gained one yard on a reverse.
Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said the tailback pass was a ``situational'' call because of where the Trojans were in the game while the reverse was part of the pre-game script.
Notice how far ahead the defense is in yards allowed after three games compared to previous seasons:
Year Yards Allowed
2006 217.3
2005 341.7
2004 260.7
2003 328.3
Here's how they compare after three college starts:
Leinart: 51 of 85, 647 yards, 215.7 yards per game, 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 140.1 pass efficiency.
Booty: 73 of 110, 697 yards, 232.3 yards per game, 7 touchdowns, 1 interception, 138.77 pass efficiency.
John David Booty completed only nine passes that went for more than 7 yards. Eight passes went for five yards or less.
USC coach Pete Carroll was asked about the lack of deep passes from Booty?
``He’s only going to do it if we call the plays,’’ Carroll said
USC's defense limited Arizona to minus-16 yards net rushing, or to put it another way, carried the Trojans' offense.
``The defense has a little notch on the offense,’’ linebacker Rey Maualuga said. ``As of right now, we are the strength of the team. The offense can go over their mistakes and improve.’’
This is not a quick-strike offense apparently.
``We never really showed our big-play ability,’’ USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``It was something we were looking for. I think we’re a little different. Balls are not getting downfield as fast as it has.’’
Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said sometimes things were a little conservative on first down because the offense struggled.
``Sometimes a game goes that way and you want to move the ball on first down because you don't want second-and-10 or second-and-11 because you're not playing that great.''
USC coach Pete Carroll said he was not sure what he would do yet but linebacker Luthur Brown said he is ready to switch.
``We’ll just figure it out,’’ Carroll said.
Fullback Stanley Havili broke his fibula and will be out 4-5 weeks. Dwayne Jarrett sprained his shoulder. He will be examined in Los Angeles before USC determines how long he is out.
USC's three points in the first half is the fewest since the Trojans scored three points last year against Arizona State. But USC trailed 21-3 at halftime of that game.
Stanley Havili and Emmanuel Moody started, giving USC its first all-freshmen backfield in school history.
Safety Kevin Ellison is wearing a knee brace for the game. It's a little windy down on the field.
Pete Carroll doesn't look nervous. He's on his cell phone making a call. Carroll called his high school coach.
Matt Leinart and Deuce Lutui just showed up.
Former USC quarterback Matt Leinart might come down from Phoenix for the USC-Arizona game. Former offensive lineman Deuce Lutui and cornerback Justin Wyatt, who are also with the Arizona Cardinals, are scheduled to come to the game.
If Stanley Havili starts at fullback and Emmanuel Moody or C.J. Gable start at tailback, it will be the first time in school history that USC started a pair of true freshmen in its backfield.
Freshman safety Antwine Perez is nearly recovered from the bruised thigh he suffered in training camp. It's prevented Perez from playing at full speed.
"We might have to wait for a game to see his full burst," USC coach Pete Carroll said.
Perez is currently the third safety behind Kevin Ellison and Taylor Mays.
USC coach Pete Carroll said Thursday night freshman tailback Stafon Johnson made the travel squad for the Arizona game. It was a late decision because Johnson was not on the original travel list.
Injuries? What injuries? Pete Carroll's deepest team keeps overcoming them.
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_4378120
I've long suspected that new band/student seating area in the end zone would be a horrible place to be situated for a game, despite a glowing letter from band director Art Bartner in last weekend's game program.
But why take my word for it? Listen to student Matt Barrett, who attended this week's meeting about the student-ticket problems.
``You can't tell the difference between a three-yard gain and a 30-yard pass,'' Barrett said.
Defensive end Rashaad Goodrum accepted a medical redshirt because of a lingering back injury.
Chauncey Washington did not practice because his grandmother suffered a stroke and he also had a religion test.
But Washington said his hamstring feels 90 percent recovered. C.J. Gable practiced so his strained groin might be less of an issue.
Kevin Thomas will not make the trip because of his sprained ankle.
Taylor Mays feels he answered some questions with his first college start against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers did not exactly test the secondary but Mays came away pleased.
``I think the best thing was I didn’t have any big mistakes and that’s what some people questioned about me,’’ Mays said. ``It gave me a lot of confidence. There was a couple plays I was upset about but overall I think I did very well.’’
Father-son rappers Master P and Lil' Romeo were guests on the sideline of the USC-Nebraska game. Master P is actually a fan of the Trojans basketball program. He is from New Orleans, which has become a new area of emphasis in recruiting since Tim Floyd got hired.
Fullback Stanley Havili said he is a diehard BYU fan but not enough to play for the Cougars.
``I'm probably the biggest BYU fan but I wanted to get out of Utah,'' Havili said. ``I needed to get away from everything there. People talk too much.''
So far, 13 true freshmen played in the first two games for USC. That includes some who only saw limited time, like highly touted wide receiver Vidal Hazelton.
But Hazelton hopes he might have a larger role against Arizona, because he started returning kickoffs in practice.
``I’m anxious to make big plays,'' Hazelton said.
Several runners, who work for agents and befriend athletes, waited inside the Coliseum on Saturday and approached recruits and their parents before the game. It’s an easy way for agents to contact prospects and their families.’’
USC’s compliance office and Trojans coach Pete Carroll are aware of the situation and changes could be made for the next home game.
C.J. Gable strained his groin in warmups but it might not be serious. Luthur Brown moved back to linebacker and is an emergency option only because Stanley Havili progressed enough to play against Arizona.
Oscar Lua will play but Kevin Thomas appears headed toward missing another game. Kyle Williams returned after yesterday's knee sprain.
Pete Carroll said Jeff Byers and Sedrick Ellis could both be back in two weeks.
Pacific-10 Conference instant replay official Gordon Riese has requested and been granted a leave of absence for the remainder of the football season, the Pac-10 announced today. Riese had been suspended for one game by the conference following a controversial play in last week's Oregon-Oklahoma game. As the Pac-10 replay officials work in crews, replay assistant Roger Judd also will not work any more games this season.