July 2007 Archives

You might have noticed the Las Vegas Review Journal reported over the weekend that USC quarterback John David Booty was in town Friday night at the Pure nightclub in Caesar's Palace (link after the jump).
It barely rated a sentence, which leads one to wonder if there's a double standard at work, considering the attention Matt Leinart received for his cavorting. Actually, the answer is simple. If you go out and do not make a spectacle of yourself, getting drunk and chasing C-list celebrities, you probably won't get too much attention in the gossip columns.

We hear ESPN is preparing a piece for the coming season on USC kicker Mario Danelo.

There are four freshmen waiting to be cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse as practice begins next week. More significantly, it does not appear as there are any ``nightmare'' cases, which means it's possible every freshman could qualify.

``That's the biggest I thing I want to do is knock them off. It's just going to be in my mind to beat them.''
-- Cal wide receiver DeSean Jackson on USC.

Although USC players will get the rest of the week off after working out today, it's not much of a break for the freshmen, most of whom have to stay on campus to attend summer classes.
``Some people are going home but I have class so I'm just going to stay here,'' quarterback Aaron Corp said.

Pete Carroll on the death of former San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh.
``Everyone who loves football will miss one of the game's great icons. He was an extraordinary mentor to so many coaches who are still in the game today. We all owe him greatly for his kindness and gifts.
"From the time I was a young college coach up to the present day, I've always been a great admirer of Bill and I've felt lucky to be a friend of his. All my thoughts are with his family. We will miss him dearly."

In our weekly series, finally, another conference that does not shy away from tough nonconference games.

A record 836 media credentials were issued for last week's SEC Media Days event with 29 radio stations and 12 TV satellite trucks covering the event. It was reported that nearly 100 fans crammed into the lobby of the Winfrey Hotel at 6 a.m. in anticipation of Alabama coach Nick Saban's arrival.
But that's nothing because at Pac-10 media day we had the presence of several fan wanna-be Internet web site writers and the Pete Carroll-Petros Papadakis confrontation.

We hear TMZ.com or some Matt Leinart-approved media outlet will probably announce today a settlement for $15,000 per month for child support but our sources tell us no agreement's been reached and the reports will be premature.
UPDATED: We were actually guessing about the media outlet when we wrote this item but it turns it we were right as TMZ.com is erroneously reporting the settlement.

I felt strange not answering Mitch Mustain questions every third answer but survived this exercise anyways.

We couldn't resist answering a Weekend Forum question right now, which asked why the team will not stay in Cardinal Gardens for training camp beginning this season? This is obviously in reaction to a similarly worded item that the World Champion paper in town wrote on Friday.
Only one problem: USC players have not stayed in Cardinal Gardens for training camp since 2004. Doh!
Maybe we've finally found a good reason for the Open Forum. To set things straight for others, including papers.

USC recently was picked to win the Pac-10 title by the media for the fifth straight year. But that's nothing compared to the Trojans' streak of 18 straight years (1965-82) picked to win the title.
Here's the man responsible for buidling the program, Coach John McKay, in 1961 with quarterback Bill Nelsen (left) and offensive lineman Mike Bundra.

One question per person in the lightning round.

We hear Matt Leinart's lawyers tried to silence media outlets from discussing him this week. Except for TMZ.com and People.com, of course.

Safety Taylor Mays looks like he's pushing 245 pounds right now but said he hasn't weighed himself lately.
"I just know I'm faster," Mays said.

Cal wide receiver DeSean Jackson said former USC safety Darnell Bing feels some relief after being waived by the Raiders.
``I just talked to him and he figures it's an obstacle he needs to overcome,'' Jackson said. ``But he wanted to get away from the Raiders since Day 1.''

Scholarships get taken away and given out.
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_6475240

I was tempted to say I had gout and skip answering the Open Forum questions. But then I thought you would all accuse me of being a bad blog father.
Anyways, here's a million questions on three subjects.

Since many of you have opinions on the subject, I asked a divorce lawyer who represents some clients that make as much as $15-20 million per year how much they pay in child support?
``Typically between $30-50,000 (per month),'' she said.
I'm not sure of Matt Leinart's exact income but an Arizona Cardinals source said his salary is nearly $7 million per year and he probably makes another $3-5 million in endorsements.

Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh did not back down from his controversial comments last spring that he heard Pete Carroll would leave USC after one more season.
``I say what I think,'' Harbaugh said. ``There is no purpose in terms of motivation. I tend to be frank. I repeated something I might have read in your columns.''

Pete Carroll on Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh saying USC is one of the best teams ever.
"I love Jim," Carroll said. "I'm glad he thinks that."

Here's the Pac-10 media poll for those who wondered if anyone besides USC would get a first-place vote.

Tailback Allen Bradford said he wants to stay at his preferred position this season without switching like last year.
``One thing I regret from last year was the way I kept moving around,'' Bradford said. ``I want to stay at tailback.''
Bradford played safety, tailback, safety, tailback and lined up at fullback (for pass routes but not blocking) in a few games.
``I want to see what I can do if I don't move around,'' Bradford said. ``The coaches haven't said anything to me about moving to fullback yet.''

Gee, what is their to talk about? One question per person please.

Great timing to have Pac-10 media day tomorrow. Here's a few topics on the table:

1. The child custory battle involving former USC quarterback Matt Leinart.
2. The arrest of UCLA assistant coach Eric Scott.
3. Is Spike TV the next outlet for Pac-10 games in 2008?

I'll be on with Petros and Money (570-AM) today at 4:40 p.m. If you tune in at 4 p.m., you can hear Petros launch his attack on quarterback Matt Leinart's handling of his child custody case.

Safety Taylor Mays and cornerback Terrell Thomas were named to the Thorpe Award watch list today.

Bryshon Nellum was the Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year, but this is USC, so what matters is if he will ever play football. The answer came last fall when Nellum signed a track letter-of-intent, which meant he would not be able to play his freshman year.
But USC coach Pete Carroll still looked into the matter this week to make sure, since he wouldn't mind seeing Nellum at wide receiver. Carroll said Tuesday he didn't think Nellum would be allowed to play this season under NCAA rules. But hey, it didn't hurt to ask.

So the gloves are off in the Matt Leinart-Brynn Cameron affair, according to this report.
http://www.tmz.com/2007/07/24/baby-mama-forcing-qb-out-of-the-pocket/#continuedcontents
This story was leaked by Leinart's camp to respond to an earlier story in the Ventura County-Star where Cameron spoke her mind. I guess those infrequent visits to Newbury Park and constant partying in Hollywood and Phoenix finally became a factor.
Anyway, this is the moment where I can say I recently bumped into Cole Cameron Leinart on campus and got a big hug from the friendly little guy (sorry Matt!).
But I really wonder what all this legal wrangling will do for his endorsement situation, something he deeply cares about after firing CAA earlier this year because he was frustrated over the endorsements earned by Reggie Bush. At least that's what Leinart told people at USC.
Looks like there won't be too many more stories in magazines now talking about fatherhood's effect on him.

Tailback C.J. Gable is up to 205 pounds after playing last season at 191.

This video game isn't exactly Madden '08.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/22432.html

Tailback Stafon Johnson said his shoulders are nearly recovered following offseason surgery and he's ready for a chance in training camp.
``I'm feeling good, about 90 percent,'' Johnson said. ``I'm really eager to see where I'm at.''

We averted an Internet meltdown tonight when quarterback Mitch Mustain emerged unharmed after a pedal on his bicycle snapped off while he rode it. Imagine the number of comments if he twisted an ankle.

In a continuing series, here's the real nonconference schedule to evaluate: The SEC.

The Versus Conference announced bowl arrangements with the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego and Hawaii Bowl for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
The sixth place team goes to Hawaii in 2008 and seventh to San Diego, then it flip flops in 2009. Versus!

Fullback Jody Adewale was given his football scholarship back and will be on the team this season. Adewale also got USC to assure him of a sixth year so he can obtain his master's degree.
A cynic might not Adewale got invited back immediately after linebacker Josh Tatum left the program and tight end Jordan Cameron did not have the proper units to transfer to USC. Hello two scholarships!
"Coach (Pete) Carroll said he wanted me back and I always wanted to play," Adewale said.
If you forgot, Adewale was told last year he was not needed on the team and was going to work in the athletic dept. for his scholarship.

USC practices at the Coliseum the evening of August 22. Right now, it "might" be open to the public. The Salute to Troy barbecue is August 24.

There's nothing to make a Sunday night quite like a 52-comment mini-forum.
Especially when the first questions asks if I am ready for the new season. Did the last one actually end? I can't tell with recruiting, spring practice, summer workouts, passing drills, arrests, transfers, high school camps, someone getting kicked off the team, etc. Oh, and practice starts around August 6.
OK, on to the rest of the answers.

Here's the latest Heisman odds:

The jury is still out on last month's commitment from Carson tight end Morrell Presley, who will only be a junior next season.
But his work ethic Saturday was impressive. Presley participated in four passing games in the Southern California Tournament of Champions then took the unusual step of joining the linemen there in a weightlifting competition, where he power-cleaned 185 pounds more than 25 times.
Afterward, he rejoined his teammates in the passing tournament. Usually, the linemen and skill players do not overlap but Pressley performed double duty admirably.

Neither linebacker Chris Galippo nor quarterback Aaron Corp were allowed by Coach Pete Carroll to participate in the Orange County All-Star game for two reasons: They are enrolled in summer school and the game's date concerned Carroll if either player were injured.
Still, Corp is likely redshirting and all-star games are a culmination of a high-school career. But few schools have their entire freshman class enroll in summer school like USC.
``It would have been fun to play but I'm up here and it would have been a distraction,'' Corp said.

It's a lightning round. One question per person.

Did anyone notice our Player of the Day, Zeke Moreno, intercepted a pass and made a game-high seven tackles for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats yesterday?

It's Friday afternoon, so time for another Mitch Mustain item. The Arkansas QB says he frequently gets asked by his new teammates about last year's game with USC, where he ran for a TD, and coincidentally, threw a long pass to USC wide receiver Damian Williams.
``They bring it up a lot, asking me what I thought about it,'' Mustain said. ``They don't try to tease me about t. I thought USC was probably the toughest team we played. Or at least as tough as any we faced.''

Some terrific questions. The topics ranged from Mitch Mustain to Stafon Johnson to Mitch Mustain to Art Bartner to Mitch Mustain.

Researchers at Iowa and Maryland devised a new football rankings system based on academic and athletic success and claim recruits should study it because it proves good students help college football teams win. OK. Anyways, they call it the SAPR and here's the top 10 schools with their total points.

1 Auburn 1932
2 Georgia 1926
2 Miami (Fla.) 1926
4 Florida State 1923
5 Michigan 1922
6 Florida 1914
7 Boston College 1911
8 USC 1907
9 LSU 1902
10. Ohio State 1900

Complete rankings and the formula after the jump.

We hear forward Leonard Washington declined Kentucky's offer to enroll but be academically ineligible for a year.
Washington, who signed with USC but could not meet academic requirements, still hopes to eventually play for the Trojans.

Centers Matt Spanos, Nick Howell and Kris O'Dowd are practicing the shotgun during summer workouts.

Here's a brief interview with freshman quarterback Aaron Corp.

Unlike the Versus Conference, the SEC put out a preseason all-conference team today. And it wasn't just a first team, but three teams.

A familiar face is currently second in the Canadian Football League in tackles.
http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=roster&func=display&ros_id=989

A reader commented last week that Pete Carroll said on a radio show that Aaron Corp's gained 15 pounds.
That sounded a little high so I asked Corp. He said he weighs 190 pounds and gained 10 since basketball season ended.
So there hasn't been some miraculous weight increase since he got to USC last month.

Against my better judgment, I will take questions here. One or two questions per person please, or I will post nothing but Mitch Mustain items the rest of the week.

Although he's listed on the current roster at 215 pounds, tailback Marc Tyler said he actually weighs 225 pounds.

Former wide receiver Steve Smith and Raiders quarterback Josh Booty doing passing drills at USC.

LSU is currently a 10-1 choice to win the BCS title but that's not the best odds of any SEC team, or of course, any Pac-10 team.

The Boston Celtics dance team will include four members of the USC dance force. That's two more than made the Laker Girls.
Looks like Gabe Pruitt won't be the only Trojans moving to Boston.

A frequent question/comment is that quarterback Aaron Corp might have been blindsided on signing day with Mitch Mustain transferring a couple months later.
"I kind of had some inside info he was going to come," Corp said. "If I was concerned I wouldn't have signed."
Corp's sources were the coaches.
"The respect level would have been in question (if I wasn't told) but I was so it isn't."

Former USC track team member DeSean Cunningham is trying to join the team as a walk-on cornerback. Cunningham attempted to make the team two years ago but tore knee ligaments during summer passing drills.

Tailback Emmanuel Moody said his hamstring is still not 100 percent but he thinks it will be when USC opens training camp next month.

It's easy to say tailback Joe McKnight and guard O.J. Mayo are USC's most-talented newcomers in their sports. But let's look at some early indications beyond the hype.
On Monday, McKnight made a dazzling one-handed catch and later looked completely comfortable playing defensive back when players were having fun switching roles. It backs up what I heard from a coach familiar with McKnight's career who said he could be the Trojans' No. 1 cornerback if he played defense.
Later that night, Mayo played pickup games with his teammates and some college players Alex Stepheson of North Carolina, Joseph Taylor of Wyoming and Seketoure Henry of Nebraska. After the games finished, while everyone else left or rested, Mayo stayed on the court and methodically performed shooting drills until the gym closed.

Wide receiver Jamere Holland made his debut in 7-on-7 today and ran one play for a TD and took a couple plays at DB but said his groin remains painful when he runs.
That's the injury that cut his track season short.

Minnesota broke ground on a $288 million football stadium last week. And the Gophers did it even though only $51 million is raised so far.

What's the toughest place to play in SEC? Here's Mitch Mustain's answer.
``South Carolina was the only place I came out with a headache,'' he said.

Hey, the Mini-Forum worked. Sort of. Mitch Mustain questions composed only 50 percent of the inquiries. So far, he's outpacing John David Booty questions by a 9-1 margin.

We hear USC will sign six offensive line recruits this year. And we hear it might mean signing five offensive linemen and one defensive lineman who will switch to the other side.

The sixth-seeded Columbus Destroyers are headed to Arena Bowl XXI, thanks to this former Trojan.
http://www.columbusdestroyers.com/team/bio.php?id=182

So what former Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain think of LSU coach Les Miles' recent comments.
What did you think of LSU coach Les Miles' recent comments that USC plays an easier scheduled than the Tigers?
``That's something he should have kept to himself. No matter what conference you're in, teams are capable of beating you,'' Mustain said.

Stragglers can ask questions here and we'll provide answers by Monday morning.

Well, it's been a near-perfect week. I got to meet Mitch Mustain. And I got to meet Mitch Mustain. And I got to meet Mitch Mustain. Who can top that?
But have no fear, the rest of the Open Forum answers are here.

With a name like this, how did this guy not attend USC or UCLA? Or both?
http://www.bluebombers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=119&Itemid=189

Due to time constraints, these are answers to the first half of the Open Forum questions. We'll finish the rest later.

New quarterback Mitch Mustain said he is 6-2 1/2 and 214 pounds.

Here's more of our interview with Mitch Mustain.

We just noticed on LAObserved.com, the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Commission is supposed to consider today historical-cultural status for the Felix Chevrolet showroom and sign near USC.
You know, the cat who isn't afraid to put his hand on his hip and flexes his knees as a sign of readiness.
Here's a link to the backstory on the cat, and some conflicts over the use of the land. http://viewfromaloft.typepad.com/viewfromaloft/2007/07/will-felix-beco.htmlI
I can think of some crotchety athletic dept. types who can't wait to get rid of the watchman of the city.

Point guard Angelo Johnson suffered a setback in his attempts to meet NCAA admission requirements but still has a chance to attend USC.
Johnson did not achieve the necessary test score last month to gain admission, however, under the NCAA's sliding-scale for test scores, if he does better than expected in his summer courses, his test results might still be good enough.
There is also a possibility Johnson could enter USC in the spring semester if he meets academic requirements after the fall deadline, which would make him eligible in December.

Here's the first part of our interview with USC quarterback Mitch Mustain.

OK, now we don't have to field any more requests for the 1990 USC-UCLA game photo of Todd Marinovoch ``declining'' Matt Darby's attempt to pick him up.

To satisfy your desire for Mitch Mustain, we'll have an interview tomorrow with USC's new quarterback.
Here's Mustain's response when I asked if he would transfer if he didn't win the starting job.
"I think I'm stuck here," Mustain said. "You don't have to worry about that with me."

One or two questions per person, since it's been a whole five days since we last did this.

We hear Miami is making some phone calls behind the scenes about former USC linebacker Josh Tatum as the Hurricanes determine if they will offer him a scholarship.

Neither Pete Carroll nor I actually bothered to read LSU coach Les Miles' controversial comments ripping the Trojans' schedule until I took the liberty of reading them to Carroll last night.
Hey,we're busy. He has to recruit and run a football program. I have to follow Mitch Mustain.
Anyways, here was Carroll's reaction: ``He's really taking a shot at all the other schools we play. Maybe the comments should come from the coaches at the other schools, including Charlie (Weis) at Notre Dame. He didn't slam us. He slammed all the other schools we play.''
After the jump is Miles' actual quote for those who have not seen it.

Here's USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett making the critical catch in the 2005 USC-Notre Dame game.

O.J. Mayo's arrived with great fanfare but he's also quickly established himself as a leader. Mayo makes sure all four freshman show up every morning at 7:30 to lift weights and also makes sure they attend afternoon skill sessions.

We saw Lawrence Miles on campus last week and were assured he was still on the team. But today we hear that Miles is off the team and no longer attending USC. Sounds like another scholarship just opened up.
UPDATED: Miles will attend junior college with the intention of transferring. But is not expected to return to USC.

In an occasional series, we hear freshman quarterback Aaron Corp's transcripts were officially approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Florida signee QB John Brantley is in Los Angeles today and will receive the Gatorade National High School Football Player of the Year in ceremonies here tomorrow.

Tailback Hershel Dennis is still progressing physically following two knee injuries and last spring's successful performances.
``He's not full speed yet but he's getting there,'' USC coach Pete Carroll said.

By popular demand, it's the famous ``Bush Push'' photo as Matt Leinart crosses the goal line against Notre Dame for a dramatic victory.

I keep getting asked about defensive lineman Lawrence Miles. Yes, he is still on the team. He didn't practice last year or anything so this might be his last chance before going the Walker Lee Ashley route, but he is still on the team.

Notre Dame received 61,685 requests for tickets for this year's USC game. It's the second-most requests in school history.
The record is 66,670 for last year's Penn State game.

USC coach Pete Carroll will be on the Petros-Money Show today at 5:40 p.m. on 570-AM.

Officially, linebacker Josh Tatum needed a fresh start and never got started in the year he spent at USC, which caused him to transfer last week. Pete Carroll believed he needed a new chance and opportunity.
We also heard there were off-field issues that contributed to the decision, including academics and some other minor incidents that we don't want to go into. Nothing huge but they all added up. In other words, Tatum's departure was probably approved or encouraged, much like defensive tackle Walker Lee Ashley's in December. It wasn't merely a playing-time transfer like Antwine Perez.
Tatum wants to transfer to Miami but nothing's been decided yet.

We've been comparing non-conference schedules to the Pac-10. Here's the Big 12 schedule.

Around 1:30 p.m., we'll address Josh Tatum's transfer.

A mini-forum. What a great idea. A chance to get a few questions from people who forgot to ask questions in the normal forum. At least that was the idea. But 50-some questions later, here we are.

There's been no scholarship offer yet but we hear USC's spent a lot of time looking at wide receiver Nelson Rosario of El Camino High School in Oceanside in recent weeks. He's already been offered by about half the Versus Conference (Pac-10).
If he came to USC, he might switch to tight end since he is already about 6-5 and 220 pounds.

The Boston Celtics scrimmaged the Detroit Pistons in Las Vegas today but it looked more like USC vs. UCLA as former USC guard Gabe Pruitt faced former UCLA guard Arron Afflalo. The pair looked forward to the game because they've been friends since high school.

According to Scout.com, offensive lineman Daniel Campbell committed to USC. If true, it demonstrates the ``Rising Stars'' camp can mean absolutely nothing for evaluation purposes. Campbell's stock dropped at the camp, to put it mildly.
If the commitment is true, it also reaffirms what I wrote on July 5 in the post, ``Like The Wind,'' which said that whether USC is interested in a prospect depends on the day you ask.

Mamadou Diarra is a freshman USC center born in Bamako, Mali. Mahamadou Diarra is a star midfielder for the Real Madrid soccer team and born in Bamako, Mali. They both speak French and like soccer. Only Mamadou likes basketball.
Speaking of the USC Mamadou, he speaks much better English than a year ago, which should help him this season. And he loves dunking the ball, which he does frequently in workouts. But can he become a holding midfielder?

I keep hearing from Orange Lutheran sources that tight end Blake Ayles will go to USC. No, he has not committed yet but everything points to the Trojans right now. It's worth noting that Ayles and Mater Dei offensive tackle Khaled Holmes are close friends and wouldn't mind going to the same school.

I'm feeling a little melancholy because I haven't discussed Mitch Mustain today, so if you have any USC questions this weekend, feel free to post here and I will answer Monday morning.

From now on, we're thinking of referring to the Pac-10 as the Versus Conference.
With bad bowl arrangements, an Arena Football League ref as supervisor of officials, 7:15 p.m. kickoffs that kill national exposure, shoddy Fox Sports production and now the unwatchable Versus channel as an official partner, it's time for a new name.
Say what you want about the SEC, it's not on Versus.

Despite some speculation otherwise, USC remains the No. 1 choice for Mater Dei offensive tackle Khaled Holmes. He did not attend the recent football camp because of other obligations but the Trojans remain his top choice, which is more relevant because some other Trojan prospect have not performed as well as expected this summer.

I thought when the calendar said that Wednesday was Independence Day, I would celebrate my independence from Mitch Mustain. Then I started reading the questions.
It’s getting so bad I might start soliciting questions on Matt Leinart. Or Lane Kiffin.
If Houston Nutt got half the questions about this guy, he celebrated his departure. With that in mind, today’s first answer honors the king:

It's not just Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt who are scheduled to play in the Las Vegas Summer League. Former USC forward David Bluthenthal is also supposed to be playing in his persistent quest to make an NBA team.

Sometimes people ask about certain prospects and want to know whether USC is interested.
The simple answer is it depends on what day of the week you ask. An example could be linebacker Brandon Magee of Corona Centennial. His stock rose two weeks ago during the USC camp.

With Josh Tatum transferring and Jordan Cameron spending a year at Ventura College, that means two scholarships are available. Let's hope punter Greg Woidneck finally gets one. He only saved USC in at least one game last season (Washington State) and is the only starter not on scholarship.

New tight end Jordan Cameron, who accepted a scholarship to USC, will instead attend Ventura College this year because not enough of his units from BYU transferred to USC. USC does not accept some of the religious courses at BYU. It's probably better for Cameron because he will play football at Ventura instead of redshirting.
Cameron will transfer to USC next year and have three years of eligibility. He will also play basketball at Ventura,

It looks like fullback Jody Adewale will remain a normal student and not return to the football team this season. There had been discussions about coming back for one more season but Adewale will focus on his master's degree.
USC will open training camp with Stanley Havili, Jordan Campbell and Cooper Stephenson at fullback.

A former USC walk-on who has not played football for three years recently said he was contacted by former offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and invited to join the Raiders.
Since he already snapped up 32-year-old quarterback Josh Booty (out of football since 2003) what's next? Team managers? Student trainers? Former secretarys?

There's been a lot of head-to-head competition lately in recruiting between USC and UCLA, and maybe more head-to-head trash talking, but when safety Drew McAllister committed to the Trojans, there was no such battle. We hear UCLA did not know anything about McAllister or recruit him.

This week we can avoid asking about internal punishments for thie third straight week.

USC's compliance office is still conducting its investigation into recruiting dinners at Papadakis Taverna. This originally became an issue right before the USC-Texas game and players were interviewed last November during the week of the Cal game, much to the chagrin of the football program considering what was at stake that week.
Some believed the investigation was wrapped but we've confirmed that it is alive and well. It's important to point out that compliance offices work independently from the athletic dept. and work on their own time frame.

Here's a followup to yesterday's question. This time, we list the Big East schedule.

Here's one for the Hendricks Award, which goes to the nation's top defensive end. Strangely, it doesn't feature USC true freshman Everson Griffen.

New Boston Celtics rookie Gabe Pruitt spent the day with fellow newcomers Ray Allen and Glen Davis before heading to Las Vegas for his summer-league debut Friday night.

Georgia coach Mark Richt recently spent a week a Honduras where he ``gave testimony,'' spent time at a day-care center each day, played soccer each afternoon with villagers. He promised to return next year and perhaps bring some Georgia players next week.
Funny, we thought college football coaches only went to Central America to interview for the Miami Dolphins job.

Nothing is expected to happen with safety Josh Pinkard's DUI case until after football season begins.
A DMV hearing's been continued and no court hearings are scheduled yet.

In either a one-time feature or occasional feature, we haven't decided, we include the Big Ten nonconference schedule. The question is, does any team play a nonconference schedule comparable to USC?

Freshman offensive lineman Butch Lewis weighs just 265 pounds after catching a virus in Mexico that caused him to lose more than 30 pounds. Lewis said he's slowly gaining weight but it's been difficult.
Doctors told him the virus is no longer in his system but he's got about five weeks to gain some weight back before training camp starts. He doesn't need to gain all the weight back but would like to be about 10-15 pounds bigger.

Football legend Red Grange, named one of college football's greatest 100 players, is pictured at the Coliseum with his manager, C.C. Pyles.
The backstory is that Grange signed with the Chicago Bears in 1925 and went on a 67-day barnstorming tour across the nation. A crowd of 75,000 showed up to watch the former Illinois halfback help defeat the Los Angeles Tigers. That's 2,000 more than appeared in New York when the Bears played the New York Giants.
Grange's tour gave the NFL national recognition and helped save the league. Photo courtesy of UCLA Library.

We interrupt football worship to say that former major-league pitcher Tom House is expected to become USC's next pitching coach. House pitched for the Atlanta Braves (1967-75), Boston Red Sox from (76-77) and Seattle Mariners (77-79).
OK, back to Mitch Mustain.