Answer Monday, Part II
Did you know that in 1968, O.J. Simpson set the school record for most rushes in a quarter (20). It took Stafon Johnson three games to get 20 carries.
Q: Has D.J. Shoemate been getting any playing time whatsoever? I talked to him at the end of a practice at the end of summer and he told me he was going to be playing special teams, yet the only #10 I have seen on the field is Cushing. What is your best take on this?
A: He's been used on special teams the first two games but didn't play the past two. His main problem is that USC has a glut of receivers and is barely using more than the big three of Patrick Turner, Damian Williams and Ronald Johnson.
Q: Last Thursday, after the debacle against the Beavers, you rubbed in the loss by rhetorically asking us if Mason and Ireland were going to call you to admit they were wrong for chastising you over voting Georgia #1? I'm sure you feel some semblance of glee when SC falls as you often predict. But, by that same token, your heart's got to break just a little when your #1 team goes down 31-0 (at home no less) to a team that squeaked by Tulane. So do tell... how did the crow taste???
A: I didn't taste any crow because unlike you and Mason and Ireland, I don't criticize people who they think is No. 1. I believe a case can be made for quite a few teams right now, but two weeks ago there was a rush to judgment that USC had to be No. 1 in a unanimous decision. It was simply too early to anoint one team as the best. But I never said USC did not deserve to be voted No. 1. I just thought there could be a range of opinions.
Q: The athletic department gave the "official explanation" for why Allison Daniels left the squad and was photoshopped out of the Song Girls picture, but what is the "actual explanation" that is not being made public?
A: There are a lot of doubters about the official explanation but I don't know if it is true or not. We may need to hire a song girls reporter in the near future. I found it interesting speaking to the Oregon cheerleaders coach. As you might know, they have a TV show surrounding their tryout process and there seems to be transparency, which is all I've ever advocated.
Q: What can you tell us about the Trojan Marching Band appearing at the Walt Disney Studios Showcase last Wednesday? Was the band too overworked to play that event and travel to Oregon State? The band played "The Lone Ranger" theme in honor of Disney remaking the classic film. Johnny Depp is rumoured to be signed to play Tonto. Might the Spirit of Troy start playing the Lone Ranger theme in honor of Clay Matthews? He's the only linebacker making plays.
A: The band took a very small squad to Oregon State, so I'm sure the bulk that remained behind went to Disney. I happened to be walking through the airport the night the band left for Oregon State and saw Art Bartner poring over his music before the flight. Is that really necessary when you play the same songs over and over? A song for Clay Matthews would be great, he's been the best defensive lineman this season.
Different era, different style of play. SC also threw the ball only about 15 times a game in those days despite having great quarterbacks, so there were many more runs than in today's game.
Amen, thanks LJ!
And if we ran the ball 20 times in a quarter, regardless of the ballcarrier, this blog and the rest of the USC fanbase would go absolutely ballistic and would call for Sark's head.