The Associated Press has come out with its first preseason All-American team and Sam Darnold made the first team. Linebacker Cameron Smith and cornerback Iman Marshall made the second team. Full team after the jump:
Continue reading “Sam Darnold Named First-Team AP Preseason All-American” »
I mentioned the other day there are a lot more important things than Traveler’s name and that led me to learn something new about USC football. The above 1953 picture shows USC running back Addison Hawthorne (23), who joined the team in 1952. Hawthorne was the first African-American to play at USC since All-American Brice Taylor in 1925. But few discuss him today.
He was a well-known player at Pasadena City College and one wonders what he endured if there was a 27-year absence of African-American players at USC. And what changed after Taylor that no African-Americans were on the team for such a long time?
I’ve come across articles that say Taylor wasn’t even officially listed by USC until the 1950’s as an All-American.
If you think it was all just a sign of the times, remember stars like Kenny Washington and Jackie Robinson played at UCLA in 1939. So let’s appreciate Hawthorne, who is a historical figure with USC football.
Here’s an interview I did with SB Nation on USC, strengths and weaknesses. The interview begins at the 25-minute mark.
Valerie Higgins, a highly touted recruit a year ago who started 15 games last season, has transferred to Pacific. Higgins averaged 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds as a freshman.
Sam Darnold in his communications class today, as classes opened at USC.
If there was one guy I expected to look at today’s solar eclipse . . .
I mentioned last week the 1967 team was honored at Salute to Troy. Several people at Salute to Troy have mentioned the 1992 team was also recognized and that only two players showed up. That’s a shame.
The Associated Press poll is out and USC is fourth, of course. USC even got two first-place votes. Texas is No. 23. So maybe that game is a little better than anticipated. Full poll after the jump:
Continue reading “USC No. 4 In AP Top 25” »
USC walk-on Grant Moore earned a scholarship Friday. Here is the most famous moment of his father, USC linebacker Rex Moore (35), when he threw mud through the face mask of Notre Dame tailback Allen Pinkett during the 1984 game at the Coliseum, played in a horrible rainstorm.
“Never happened,” Moore said. “If the refs didn’t call it, it never happened.”
If you want to watch Moore’s moment, click here and go to the 1:42:30 mark.
Another intense episode with another memorable battle. Only one more week left. Talk away!