TrojanWire - Averell Spicer http://www.trojanwire.com/football/averell-spicer/index.php USC Football As It Happens Copyright 2009 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:56:46 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss USC rules three academically ineligible
With starting running back Joe McKnight's eligibility for the bowl game against Boston College already in question due to an alleged NCAA rules violation, the school announced Tuesday that tight end Anthony McCoy, offensive tackle Tyron Smith and defensive tackle Averell Spicer have been ruled academically ineligible.

McCoy and Smith are both starters and earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors. Spicer is a key reserve. McCoy and Spicer are both seniors, so their USC careers are over.

"We're really disappointed these guys didn't come through," USC coach Pete Carroll said in a statement. "They had all the help in the world to get it done and they didn't do it."

How many times do you read a statement from a coach that was released through the school and sense genuine chagrin? In that single sentence, you can feel Carroll's disappointment.

So, if USC isn't able to resolve the McKnight situation over the next couple of days -- and expect an athletic department already under NCAA investigation to be as cautious as possible -- the Trojans will face Boston College down three starters and a reserve on their defensive line.

Not good for any team, even USC.

McCoy will be replaced by sophomore Rhett Ellison -- USC is already thin at tight end because of Blake Ayles' knee injury. Redshirt freshman Matt Kalil will replace Smith, a sophomore. Kalil is a major talent -- his older brother Ryan was was an All-American center for USC and now plays for the Carolina Panthers -- and he is expected to be fill one of the three vacancies on the Trojans offensive line next year.

As if USC falling from seven-time Pac-10 champion to four-loss Emerald Bowl team wasn't enough, the Trojans are now burdened with major off-field issues, which are forcing key players out of the lineup.

Heading into the bowl season, the main question was how motivated and focused USC would be against Boston College in a mid-level bowl game. That question is even more relevant now.

When a team is down and caught in a whirlwind of issues, it can either tear apart or come together.

Many will be curious to see what USC will do on Saturday against a BC team that surely sees blood in the water. ]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/usc-rules-three-academically-ineligible.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/usc-rules-three-academically-ineligible.php Rhett Ellison Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:56:46 -0800 Senior Salute 2009 jb 12409.jpg
(Photo of Jeff Byers by Icon Sports Media)

Here is a list of Trojans that will be playing their last home game at the Coliseum on Saturday.

OL Charles Brown
LB Luthur Brown
OL Jeff Byers (pictured above)
WR Preston Cavignac
K Jordan Congdon
LB Dan Deckas
DB Rob Erickson
LB Nick Garratt
FB Adam Goodman
WR Garrett Green
S Will Harris
DB Justin Hart
OL Nick Howell
TB Stafon Johnson
S Taylor Mays
TE Anthony McCoy
OL Garrett Nolan
P Billy O'Malley
OL Alex Parsons
DB Josh Pinkard
DL Averell Spicer
CB Kevin Thomas

The Senior Salute will take place eight minutes before kickoff. These 22 players will be honored for all their hard work and dedication to the USC football program. Thank you and fight on!

]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/senior-salute-2009.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/senior-salute-2009.php Headlines Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:46:40 -0800 Thanksgiving Report USC practiced today and no one got hurt. Wide receiver Damian Williams looked good again. Devon Kennard will officially start at outside linebacker in place of Mike Morgan. Averell Spicer is expected to play more this game after several good days of practice.

]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/thanksgiving-report.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/thanksgiving-report.php Averell Spicer Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:47:23 -0800 Welcome to the Trobuckalypse: So when would USC not be a touchdown favorite? Daily headlines, notes and errata in anticipation of the Intersectional Game of the Decade of the Year.

• The Money Never Lies. Some forecasters may be calling for another USC rout -- this does seem to be the default assumption -- but oddsmakers are not among them: The Trojans are opening as roughly 6.5 to 7-point favorites, more than a field goal below last year's ballooning line as it became increasingly clear Beanie Wells' ailing foot wouldn't allow him to suit up.

Keep in mind for a second, though, what goes into determining that spread: USC is down at least four (and maybe more) projected starters, is starting a true freshman quarterback in his first road game opposite a defense facing its first real test since losing eight draft picks, and is still a touchdown favorite over a completely healthy bunch of Buckeyes. That is some respect. And disrespect.

• Mutual Admiration Society. The big difference in this year's game and last year's date in the Coliseum is the evolution of Terrelle Pryor, unsure freshman back-up, to Terrelle Pryor, Terrelle Pryor, a difference that has Pete Carroll waxing rhapsodic on the sophomore and making the nuclear comparison where his defense is concerned:

"He’s a deceptive runner because he’s so tall," Carroll said Sunday of the 6-foot-6 Pryor. "He doesn’t look like he's going that fast because he's a long strider. He's very much like Vince Young in that regard. And guys bounce off him and slip off him all the time." Carroll described Pryor as "un-tackle-able, if that’s a word." ... "Everybody has trouble with them," Carroll said. "I just think it's the hardest thing to defend, a running quarterback."

Carroll would know, of course, having had the still-beating heart of the SC three-peat unceremoniously ripped out by Young in the '06 Rose Bowl. Carroll also emphasized that USC's schemes are "more advanced" since that loss, and that he's learned to "respect the QB position as a threat." That was mostly true last year, when Pryor was thrown to the wolves with basically no chance of challenging the defense downfield, but we'll all see how many tackles that respect is worth when TP is set free Saturday night.

Not to be outdone in humility, Jim Tressel obliged his coachly duties by describing the Trojans as "explosive" and "frightening" -- "[W]hat we'd expect from a Southern California team." Assembled reporters thought, "Duh," but printed it anyway.

• They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No no no." Injured USC starters Kris O'Dowd and Averell Spicer were back at practice on Monday after sitting out the opener, though they weren't taking hits in a shorts-only workout. Spicer said his ankle was "98 percent," which sounds promising, but O'Dowd's knee injury -- the same injury that kept him out several games as a true freshman in 2007 -- would be well ahead of the initial prognosis if he's able to play Saturday. Both are listed as "probable," and O'Dowd vows he'll be ready to go in the middle of the offensive line.

Tale of the Tape of the Day. The Senator vs. The Humanitarian.

The numbers never lie: The Trojans appear to have the decisive edge on the sideline.

Plausible Scenario of the Day. Terrelle Pryor leads an early touchdown drive and a field goal drive before the half to keep pace in a hard-hitting defensive game in which neither teams seems willing to open things up. USC can't find any consistency on offense but holds on to a narrow lead until the middle of the fourth quarter, when a Matt Barkley interception sets up the Buckeyes' go-ahead touchdown, which becomes the game-winner when the Trojans' last gasp drive comes up short.

]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/welcome-to-the-trobuckalypse-so-when-would-usc-not-be-a-touchdown-favorite.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/welcome-to-the-trobuckalypse-so-when-would-usc-not-be-a-touchdown-favorite.php Averell Spicer Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:21:05 -0800 News and notes from Pac-10 camps Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

News and notes around the Pac-10 as preseason camps transition toward game week.

  • Arizona: The plot thickens at quarterback after Nick Foles outplayed Matt Scott in Saturday's scrimmage, just as it appeared Scott was going to be named the starter. Offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes told me last week that he'd likely make a call by Monday or Tuesday, but we shall see.
  • Arizona State: Coach Dennis Erickson confirmed quarterback Danny Sullivan will start the season-opener against Idaho State, but the defense dominated the weekend scrimmage, with true freshman linebacker Vontaze Burfict continuing to make plays. True freshman Brock Osweiler may be Sullivan's backup because Samson Szakacsy is nursing tendonitis in his right elbow.
  • California: There is no reason to believe Kevin Riley won't be Cal's starting quarterback against Maryland, and that announcement is expected on Wednesday. In fact, coach Jeff Tedford seems so confident about the Bears' roster, preseason camp is on the cusp of transitioning into game preparation after a day off. One thing that as of yet is unclear is who will be the fourth starting linebacker.
  • Oregon: If you're wondering how Oregon's offense might change this fall, look at how well the receivers are catching the ball. The Ducks, with quarterback Jeremiah Masoli owning a deeper understanding of the offense -- and the offensive line not as powerful as 2008 -- figure to throw downfield a lot more. But the story of camp might be how well the defense is playing.
  • Oregon State: It appears that both Rodgers brothers, James and Jacquizz, will be good to go for the opener, but quarterback Lyle Moevao is still a ways away, meaning Sean Canfield likely will have to lose the starting job this season. As far as team concerns, it appears the defense is going to be OK -- more than OK -- but the offensive line is young and thin.
  • Stanford: Redshirt freshman Andrew Luck only increased his lead over senior Tavita Pritchard during preseason practices, and Luck will have a much deeper receiving corps to work with this fall. It appears the offensive line will feature two redshirt freshmen starters.
  • UCLA: Things are going according to expectation. The defense looks very good but there hasn't been much consistency at quarterback and along the offensive line. Tailback Christian Ramirez has struggled with injuries.
  • USC: While the quarterback competition has garnered the most headlines -- Aaron Corp must return to practice by Tuesday if he wants to beat out freshman Matt Barkley for the opener vs. San Jose State -- the Trojans' defensive line might be down two starters when it plays at Ohio State on Sept. 12, with end Armond Armstead (broken foot, out) and tackle Averell Spicer (ankle, questionable) hurting. Nonetheless, the defense has mostly controlled things during the preseason.
  • Washington: Johri Fogerson's switch from safety to running back looks like a success -- he could share snaps with Chris Polk. There has been an apparent shakeup in the receiving pecking order, with true freshman James Johnson and Jordan Polk and Devin Aguilar running with the first unit, ahead of D'Andre Goodwin and Jermaine Kearse.
  • Washington State:  The quarterback competition between Kevin Lopina and Marshall Lobbestael is on-going, though Lopina has seemed to be ahead while Lobbestael tries to regain his form after knee surgery. There also is uncertainty due to injuries at receiver and left tackle, where sophomore Steven Ayers, freshman Tyson Pencer and junior Joe Eppele are competing.
]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/news-and-notes-from-pac10-camps.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/news-and-notes-from-pac10-camps.php Oregon Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:11:21 -0800 Football: What about Mitch Mustain? mustainThe other offshoot of Aaron Corp’s leg injury is that it gives Mitch Mustain a chance to get more meaningful reps.

Remember him?

Mustain came to USC amid much fanfare but twice lost spring battles to become the Trojans’ starting quarterback, first to Mark Sanchez, then to Corp.

Mustain entered summer third on the depth chart behind Corp and Matt Barkley — despite having more experience than the two of them combined — and only now, with Corp out, is the junior transfer moving up the depth chart.

The reason he hasn’t before is inconsistency. Two plays from the past two practices exemplify that.

On Tuesday, during 7-on-7 passing drills, Mustain rifled a touchdown pass to freshman De’Von Flournoy in the end zone as fellow freshman T.J. McDonald closed in for a kill shot. Mustain made a quick decision and delivered an accurate ball.

On Wednesday, during 11-on-11 team drills, Mustain ran a bootleg play to the left. He had tight end Blake Ayles open for about a 10-yard gain but didn’t see him. Mustain ended up throwing the ball out of bounds.

At least he’ll have more chances while Corp’s out.

“I don’t know what anybody else’s attitude is,” Mustain said, “but I’m going to go out at it like I’ve got an opportunity to pick something up and run with it … and leave the truth of that to the guys who are in charge.

“I’m excited about it. However long it is, it may only be two days, I’m going to take advantage of it.”

(NOTE: With USC practicing at 9 a.m. today [and again at 4 p.m.] we’ll have earlier-than-usual updates here on the blog, as well as on Twitter at twitter.com/ocruscblog.)

More from the USC blog:

Post from: USC

]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/football-what-about-mitch-mustain.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/football-what-about-mitch-mustain.php Taylor Mays Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:45:33 -0800 2009 Depth Chart Released The jury is out. Pete Carroll announced today his depth chart going into the huddle. Of course in traditional Carroll fashion, the competition for starting positions will continue throughout Summer workouts. But the Spring depth charts typically hold strong resemblance to the final list, come start of the football season.

Follow the jump for the complete list.

]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/2009-depth-chart-released.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/2009-depth-chart-released.php Headlines Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:13:57 -0800 D-Line Depth Chart Here's how things look right now on the defensive line.

DE -- Armond Armstead, Wes Horton
NT -- Christian Tupou, Jurrell Casey
DT -- Averell Spicer, Derek Simmons
DE -- Everson Griffen, Malik Jackson

]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/dline-depth-chart.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/dline-depth-chart.php Jurrell Casey Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:47:02 -0800 Position Switch Defensive tackle Armond Armstead will start the first couple weeks at defensive end to see if he is fast enough to play on the outside. Why switch someone who enjoyed a nice freshman season at tackle?
It's viewed as a chance to see if the four best players on the defensive line might be Armstead, Christian Tupou, Jurrell Casey/Averell Spicer and Everson Griffen.

]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/position-switch.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/position-switch.php Jurrell Casey Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:07:20 -0800 Practice Insider: McKnight handling adversity <!-- end image-->Turf toe. Jock itch. Smashed fingers. A dislocated elbow. Migraine headaches. Sophomore running back Joe McKnight's already been through a lot this season. Then before taking the field against Cal, he got word that his grandmother had passed away. After missing Tuesday's practice to head back to Louisiana, McKnight returned to Howard Jones Field Wednesday. Go inside for more on McKnight, Fili Moala and Averell Spicer ]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/practice-insider-mcknight-handling-adversity.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/practice-insider-mcknight-handling-adversity.php Fili Moala Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:37:37 -0800 USC football: Griffen back, Spicer out Two D-line injury notes from Tuesday’s USC practice:

** Defensive end Everson Griffen returned to practice after sitting out Monday because of a toe injury.

** Nose tackle Averell Spicer is unlikely to play against Washington because of a sprained ankle, USC coach Pete Carroll said.

Related links:

]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/usc-football-griffen-back-spicer-out.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/usc-football-griffen-back-spicer-out.php Steve Sarkisian Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:41:23 -0800 USC has a hole to fill in the middle
The nose tackle's job -- on a lot of teams -- is pure grunt work. Absorb blockers, clog the middle, let the linebackers run free.

]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/ -usc-has-a-hole-to-fill-in-the-middle.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/ -usc-has-a-hole-to-fill-in-the-middle.php Averell Spicer Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:24:58 -0800 Healthy Spicer in the mix at tackle <!-- end image-->Good things happen to those who wait. At least, that's what defensive tackle Averell Spicer had thought. Backing up all-American tackle Sedrick Ellis for two years, Spicer knew it'd be his turn to fill those shoes when the Trojans entered spring ball following Ellis' departure to the NFL. But, it didn't quite work out that way. Go inside for the stor ]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/healthy-spicer-in-the-mix-at-tackle.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/healthy-spicer-in-the-mix-at-tackle.php NFL Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:36:25 -0800 New Trojan Nose? Sedrick Ellis is one of the top storylines for the Trojans this spring. At least it was until heir apparent Averell Spicer was sidelined with a lingering knee injury. Now a youth movement is on at nose guard with several players vying for practice repetitions. Inside: Kyle Moore, Nick Holt and Pete Carroll talk Dline, elephant back, LEO and a position change ]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/new-trojan-nose.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/new-trojan-nose.php Nick Holt Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:32:24 -0800 TrojanWire Welcomes 2005 Class Four 5-stars, eleven 4-stars and five 3-stars. This was the year of the linebackers for USC, led by Rey Maualuga, but the Trojans also managed to snap up the best player in the nation at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive end.

  • DT Walker Ashley 4-star 6-4/283 (Eden Prairie, MN)
  • OL Charles Brown 3-star 6-6/249 (Pomona, CA)
  • LB Luthur Brown 4-star 6-3/227 (Lakewood, CA)
  • ATH Michael Coleman 3-star 6-2/225 (San Bernardino, CA)
  • LB Brian Cushing 4-star 6-4/216 (Oradell, NJ)
  • LB Kevin Ellison 3-star 6-0/214 (Inglewood, CA)
  • DB Cary Harris 4-star 6-1/180 (Sherman Oaks, CA)
  • DB Will Harris 4-star 6-3/195 (Covina, CA)
  • OL Thomas Herring 4-star 6-6/320 (Los Angeles, CA)
  • OL Nick Howell 3-star 6-5/253 (Fresno, CA)
  • DT Gabe Long* 5-star 6-4/280 (Fullerton, CA)
  • LB Kaluka Maiava 4-star 5-11/212 (Wailuku, HI)
  • LB Rey Maualuga 5-star 6-2/253 (Eureka, CA)
  • DE Kyle Moore 4-star 6-6/247 (Warner Robins, GA)
  • OL Kevin Myers* 4-star 6-6/360 (Compton, CA)
  • QB Mark Sanchez 5-star 6-4/211 (Mission Viejo, CA)
  • DE Averell Spicer 4-star 6-2/260 (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
  • DB Kevin Thomas 4-star 6-0/166 (Oxnard, CA)
  • WR Patrick Turner 5-star 6-5/210 (Nashville, TN)
  • K Troy Van Blarcom* 3-star 6-3/200 (Orange, CA)

* Commited, Not Yet Signed

]]> http://www.trojanwire.com/football/trojanwire-welcomes-2005-class.php http://www.trojanwire.com/football/trojanwire-welcomes-2005-class.php Averell Spicer Thu, 03 Feb 2005 09:10:48 -0800