USC 24, Boston College 13

Good thing Pete paid the referees off. That Emerald Bowl Championship Trophy is too PRESTIGIOUS not too win.

We are EMERALD BOWL CHAMPS!!!
We are SC!!!

USC Alum '02

Let the criticisn rain down, but I'm proud of this team's effort in the Emerald Bowl. A hard fought game with some beneficial calls, but also with some scores left on the board. At leat 10-20 points, with a little better exectuion...but I'm biased, and I expect open receivers to be hit, and tough catches to be made.

I couldn't be happier with how our Trojans finished the season. All the D+ evals by Scott et Al. to our coaches and players won't make this win any less sweeter to me. I think there comes a time for all fans to appreciate what they have, rather than what they want, and 2009 is such a time for me. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Years to all, even to those who can't apppreciate the beauty in a USC team overcoming some adversity. But that's exactly what's Trojans do...fight on. We beat ND, UCLA, and BC in a year full of uncertainty and doubt.

Personally, I'm not sure if the rebuilding effort is over now, or when it will be, but that's what makes this sport great. When stripped of everything, there's always important games that can be won or lost...like this game tonight. I don't really foresee USC slipping back into a Paul Hackett slump. At the same time, I see a Pete Carroll who will be very challenged to match his previous successes. As long as he is embracing the challenge, determined to meet sky-high expectations, I'm behind him 100%. A lot of negative things will be said, and Scott will be thrilled to embellish every single one, but I am a firm believer that realistic expectations by Trojan fans will be right choice for next season. We'll all have a better feel for how the next season will play out after seeing how Barkley handles the first few games. Sky's the limit, but we're bound to see some games where USC will have to find a way to win anyway. Here's to the return of dominating defensive football at USC! This is or identity and it will be as long as Pete Carroll is or coach.

Trojans fight on!

Bravo JAG, very well said and as a long time fan and Alum I also was very proud of the effort tonight. I also liked the fact that half time adjustments were made and that the D pitched a shut out in the 2nd half.
Happy New Year to the team and all Trojans and may 2010 be successful!

P.S. Unemployed Alum, I hope you find a job in the new year, because your negativity is sure a downer.

Unemployed Alum........"good thing Pete paid the refs off". The beauty of a DVR which I'm sure you can't afford since you're unemployed is that you can use really slow motion and see that Damian had a foot down before going out of bounds. Now the punt that hit the SC player in the foot, that's a different matter. I can never understand why SC players are always around the ball and just don't clear out?

Obviously was too prestigious for UCLA to win in 2006, Unemployed Bruin Troll.

The ruling on the punt was that DJ Shoemate was blocked and it caused him to make contact with the ball. I saw it too, and it could be interpreted either way if you understand the rule to mean that because of the block he could not move his foot out of the way.

However, this year was a bumpy ride all the way, and our best efforts were seriously hampered by continuous injuries to key experienced players who would have made it much easier on the beginners, particularly Barkley. Hopefully PC will continue to "go retro" and re establish consistency with his coaching staff so that the kids don't have to adjust to a new system every year.

One of the best things about the bowl game tonight was the peek at the talent we have coming back, particularly Bradford and Havili, and several defensive backs. As for McFumble, Who's Joe McKnight?

Fight On!!