November 2006 Archives
Ohio State students are up in arms after being awarded just 1,100 tickets for the BCS title game in Glendale, Ariz. But USC will be even worse if it makes the game.
``Only about 1,000 students will probably be able to go for us, too, and if it's of any comfort to the upset students in Columbus, there are lots of sympathetic students over here on the West Coast," USC ticketing director Debra Duncan said.
USC-UCLA has always been a hot ticket, right? Well, from the first battle in 1929, up through 1975, the Coliseum was sold out only seven times for the crosstown rivalry. This year's game will be the fifth consecutive sell out in the series. The only longer capacity streak was seven, from 1985 through 1991.
Although the answer to yesterday's question of the day, DeWayne Walker, worked several years under Pete Carroll, his defense is not identical, according to USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.
"They do different things, it's not the same as our defense,'' Kiffin said. "It's stuff we've seen all year.''
When was the last night game in the USC-UCLA series? (Kickoff 5 p.m. or later).
UPDATED: The last night game took place in 1977 at the Coliseum.
USC coach Pete Carroll said tailback Emmanuel Moody (sprained ankle) will play against UCLA.
That could be the current scenario if USC plays Ohio State in the BCS championship. Here's how the process works Sunday, described by BCS coordinator Mike Slive.
``If we take the current standings, and Ohio State and Southern Cal are in the game,'' Slive said. ``Then what would happen would be that the Big 12 Champion would go to the Fiesta Bowl and the ACC champion would go to the Orange Bowl and the SEC champion would go to the Sugar Bowl and then the Rose Bowl would get the first two picks because we would need to replace the champions from the two leagues that participate in the Rose Bowl.''
UCLA's defense allowed four consecutive opponents to rush for less than 60 yards this season. Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn had a 60-yard run against USC.
BBC Sport is reporting that Iain Dowie says he is going to return to coaching soccer.
``Clearly I want to get back in the game,'' Dowie said.
This could be USC women's soccer's chance.
USC is going for its eighth win over UCLA, which would match the Bruins' longest streak over USC. Well, "match" is a relative term. The margins of the Bruin victories: 3, 1, 6, 12, 4, 7 (after 2OT's), 4, 17. The Trojan win margins: 10, 3, 27, 31, 25, 5, and 47.
Pete Carroll was asked Tuesday about the danger of looking past UCLA and toward the BCS title game.
But if anything, an informed person would argue the opposite is true. Carroll's spent more time watching or mentioning UCLA than any time since he arrived at USC. In past years, Carroll rarely mentioned UCLA in staff meetings or conversations with associates. He even rebuked a staff member for makng a dismissive remark about UCLA in one conversation.
This year, however, he frequently mentioned the Bruins whenever he was around Heritage Hall and kept a much closer eye on their stats and performances. Whether or not this concern is justified is different topic, but the fact is Carroll's pointed toward this game for months. Or at least had some concerns. I'll expand on this later in the week.
Tailback Emmanuel Moody (sprained ankle) is not supposed to return until a bowl game but he wants to play against UCLA.
``I'm trying to get back,'' Moody said. ``I want to get back for this one.''
Who was the first assistant coach hired by Pete Carroll when he accepted the USC job?
UPDATED: The correct answer is UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, who flew to Los Angeles the day after Carroll got hired and started recruiting.
UCLA defensive linemen Justin Hickman and Bruce Davis have 24 sacks. The entire USC team has 26.
Interest seems to be very low this year but here's how I'm thinking with one more week for some possible shuffling.
Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith and Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden.
USC spent $17.2 million on football last year, most in the Pac-10. Washington was second with $15.1 million.
Long Beach Poly track and football player Bryshon Nellum gave USC permission to send his letter of intent to the Pac-10 today, a week after the Trojans released him because of a mix-up understanding NCAA rules by a compliance official. Nellum must sit out a year of football by signing in November but he probably will concentrate anyways because he wants to try to make the U.S. Olympic team.
Nellum's decision will deflate some schools that wanted to sign him in the spring after USC released him.
Look at the nine finalists for the Football Writers of America Assn. Coach of the Year Award.
Houston's Art Briles, Michigan's Lloyd Carr, Wake Forest's Jim Grobe, Hawaii's June Jones, BYU's Bronco Mendenhall, Arkansas' Houston Nutt, Boise State's Chris Petersen, Rutgers' Greg Schiano, and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops.
Carmen Trutanich, lawyer to several USC football players, and his arch-rival, vice president of student affairs Michael Jackson, were both on the sideline during the Notre Dame game. But Trutanich brought back up, with Los Angeles County district attorney Steve Cooley by his side.
Chauncey Washington was rested today to help his sore knee recover. USC practiced on Cromwell Field today to protect Howard Jones Field from getting torn up after Monday's rains. The real practice days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said he has not talked to anyone at Arizona State about the vacant coaching position. He did say he is interested in the job.
A couple of the appropriate officials at USC discussed with us the availability of Iain Dowie regarding the women's soccer position, but it's still very early in the process.
USC coach Pete Carroll revealed a concern about playing UCLA this week in the season-finale.
``I’m not concerned about a letdown but I am concerned it is the last game of the year,’’ Carroll said. ``We’ve had some close games two years ago with UCLA and a few years back with Oregon State (in 2003).''
That Oregon State game turned out to be a 24-point victory although Oregon State did take a 7-0 lead, which probably is what Carroll remembers about the game.
Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis stopped by the USC locker room after the game to congratulate Pete Carroll. He also did it last year.
USC coach Pete Carroll said Sunday night that quarterback John David Booty's ankle will ``be all right'' after he hurt it against Notre Dame.
Carroll took exception to comments on the game broadcast that Booty was shaken up following the ankle injury.
``I don’t think there’s any way he’s rattled,’’ Carroll said. ``He does not carry things around or let (critics) load up on him.’’
If USC beats UCLA, it will be the fourth year in a row that they will finish a regular season ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the AP Poll. Prior to the current streak, they had not finished a regular season ranked that high since 1972 (1).
In fact, since the AP rankings started in 1936, they finished the regular season ranked No. 1 or No. 2 only four times, before their current streak: 1962 (1), 1967 (1), 1968 (2), and 1972 (1).
To put another way, from 1936 through 2002, SC finished the regular season ranked 1 or 2 four times; if SC wins Saturday, they will have doubled the number of all-time end-of-regular season rankings in the AP top two for the school, from 2003 through 2006.
From a USC fan: Notre Dame is overweighted
From a Notre Dame fan: Seven Heismans, no murderers
Manchester United hosts Chelsea tomorrow morning in a top of the table clash in Premiership action! Hey's it's soccer, how hard can it be to get a score right.
USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin blamed himself for John David Booty's second interception to defensive tackle Trevor Laws.
``I called down to the field to talk to Booty on the phone, which I don’t do often, and I said the second interception was my fault because it was a bad call,’’ Kiffin said. ``We needed him and he came back and played well.’’
Wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who caught three touchdown passes and had 132 yards receiving, apparently had a couple reasons to be angry before the game.
``Notre Dame did not recruit him and he has a chip on his shoulder this year that he’s not being recognized (for post-season awards),’’ offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said.
Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis on quarterback Brady Quinn.
``He didn't get much help, a bunch of balls went off hands. He was far from perfect but join the club, I was far from perfect.''
Weis on the final stats.
``Stats are for losers. The bottom line is we moved the ball but didn't put it in the end zone.''
Honestly, this was just about the result expected around USC, if you talked to people behind the scenes. Notre Dame's defense was just too weak to stop the Trojans' offense. The end.
On the field at kickoff, Will Ferrell wearing a bucket hat to disguise himself, the guy from JAG and some other series and Robert Patrick, who I think hung himself on the Sopranos, or maybe that was four other characters.
Just bumped into former USC linebacker Matt Grootegoed outside the Coliseum, who talked about how "dirty" the rivalry was with Notre Dame when he played.
USC coach Pete Carroll showed up at the Up the Irish party on Friday night and played two songs on the piano and sang, "beat the Irish."
If USC coach Pete Carroll remembers anything about last year’s Notre Dame game, besides the final-minute heroics, it was the way Coach Charlie Weis frustrated him on an 87-yard drive that gave the Irish a 31-27 lead with 2:02 remaining.
``I didn’t feel like the defense could stop them,’’ Carroll said. ``He called some good stuff. They threw so short and so quick, they had some really nice plays. They had a lot of momentum and rhythm.’’
Has USC’s defense felt as helpless this season?
``About six times,’’ Carroll said. ``Every game in the middle of the year.’’
The difference is the Trojans usually survived those rough moments this season and did not fold at the end of the game.
``We’re better,’’ Carroll said.
A veteran college coach who watched film of both teams offered this analysis:
``Charlie (Weis) will do all the little things he likes, like a no-huddle offense, no backs, a quick tempo,'' he said. ``And Pete's answer will be to blitz.''
USC vs. Notre Dame. Pete Carroll vs. Charlie Weis. But maybe the best matchup is ABC announcer Brent Musberger vs. USC sports information dept. for today's production meeting.
Musberger drew the ire of USC in September when he mentioned some hand signals by John David Booty that he learned during the Friday production meeting before the Nebraska game.
Also doing Saturday's game is former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie.
The first person who picks the correct score on the USC-Notre Dame game receives a copy of the Irish media guide (valid email required on pick).
It looks like Patrick Turner and Desmond Reed will alternate punt returns against Notre Dame. Last week, the Trojans had one return for one yard on six Cal punts.
With 18 senior starters, a Heisman Trophy contender at quarterback and several other marquee players, why hasn't Notre Dame played better this season?
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_4713784
USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson said he is undecided about whether he will turn pro after the season.
``I'm just worried about the next game coming up,'' Jackson said. ``I'm getting my degree next semester. I'm not concerned about it at all.''
Offensive tackle Kyle Williams returned to practice following a severe case of the stomach flu and appeared fine. Williams said he received 4 IVs at the student health center Tuesday and doctors wanted to give him four more but he declined.
``I feel fine, I lost a couple pounds, but nothing that eating tonight won't take care of,'' Williams said.
Offensive guard Drew Radovich (foot) also practiced along with tailback Chauncey Washington (knee). Defensive tackle Chris Barrett is not expected to play.
Florida coach Urban Meyer is against an Ohio State-Michigan rematch in the BCS title game and believes the Gators are more deserving than a certain other one-loss team in the championship picture.
``Realistically the one team out there is University of Florida, and probably Southern Cal. But Southern Cal got beat by an unranked team. We went to a hostile environment [at Auburn], played our heart out, we were on the 6-yard line and failed to get it done. . . . I think USC and Florida are the two teams that if they take care of business, deserve a shot.''
Meyer said if a rematch occurs, it should force a playoff system.
Despite the constant drumbeat the past few weeks, mainly from Phoenix sports-talk radio, USC coach Pete Carroll scoffs at speculation he is interested in becoming the Arizona Cardinals coach/general manager next season.
Wednesday night, Carroll dismissed the rumors, just as he did about a month ago. It's probably not going to go away, however, as long as the Cardinals struggle and there is a need to figure out a possible successor to Dennis Green.
A lot of ``famous'' people suddenly become interested in USC football when the Trojans play a marquee game like Saturday's against Notre Dame. Here's the list of those expected to attend:
Offensive tackle Kyle Williams is staying at a hotel because he has the flu, and USC does not want anyone else to get sick. Williams is expected to return tomorrow and start Saturday.
It's looking more like Chauncey Washington will not start at tailback because of his sprained knee, which means freshman C.J. Gable would start. Washington was held out of Wednesday's practice although he said he intends to play.