Defense wins championships. It's a cliché that you have heard over and over. The reason you hear it so much is because it is true. The 4th quarter 86 yard drive by the Trojans was amazing, but the defense won the game last Saturday.
After an average first quarter (USC gave up 148 yards and allowed five first downs), the Trojans’ defense dominated the rest of the game. For the final three quarters Ohio State was held to 117 yards (3.3 yards per play) and five first downs. Four different times the Buckeyes went three-and-out.
The Buckeyes killed USC in the kicking game and field position battle. Four of Ohio States drives started in USC territory. On those four drives the Trojans forced two punts and only allowed 6 points. For a supposedly “young” defense, the Trojans showed maturity and stayed cool under pressure.
I have been very impressed with how disciplined the defense plays. A performance like that gives your D an identity. It gives them confidence that on goal line stands or 3rd and short they can stop anyone. This is a going to be a fun group to watch this year.
I love Nike. Growing up if you were a fan of Bo Jackson or Michael Jordan (or any other superstar) Nike was and still is the shit. Reebok is lame and for Dan and Dave fans. L.A. Gear sucked and was for Karl Malone fans (Remember the Catapult? If you wore those, you were mocked on the playground). For some reason Nike decided to make USC gear in putrid FUCLA Bruins colors. Click here to join the facebook group that dares to ask the question…Why Nike? Why?
It is burning my eyes.
One more photo of Bruin/Trojan gear and more titillating thoughts of the day after the jump....
The bleacher report has rated the top 40 best looking student bodies. USC was ranked 3rd. LSU came in 1st. You can see why in the above picture. More photos of other fans after the jump....
Here is a BRUTAL video from the FUCLA coaches tour of Rick Neuheisel crying that his kids can’t be on the sideline with him for home games. The Pac-10 rule is that you have to be over 18 years old to be on the sideline. Neuheisel takes some shots at Coach Carroll for not supporting his stance on getting this rule changed.
I am sure it was a fun attempt to distract the FUCLA boosters from the fact that their football team is terrible, but Neuheisel is such a clown. Hopefully he will not take out any newspaper adds about this urgent matter.
UPDATE: The L.A. Times did some follow up research on this non-issue and this is what they found:
He (Neuheisel) apparently forgot to mention that the Pac-10 athletic directors immediately shot down the proposal, 8-2, with only UCLA and Arizona in favor of the change.
League officials were primarily concerned about increased liability, and also wary that a change might lead to efforts by administrators or even donors to try to get sideline passes for their children, too. As proposed, the new rule would have allowed any coach's child to get a pass. Such a change could have added as many as two dozen kids on some sidelines.
The current rule also states that anyone under the age of 18 can already be on the sideline if they are performing a game-related task. If Rick wants his kids on the sideline, all he has to do is give them a job like water boy.
The USC Men’s and Women’s track team swept UCLA in the dual meet on Saturday for the first time in the history of the competition. The USC women defeated FUCLA 93-70 and the men won 92-71.
With the sweep of the Pansy Bruins, USC became the first school to win the Lexus Gauntlet Trophy in back-to-back years. The Trojans beat FUCLA 65-45 in the head-to-head all sports competition.
Here are the final results from the 2008-2009 Lexus Gauntlet Competition:
2008-09 LEXUS GAUNTLET STANDINGS
SPORT WINNER POINTS
M-Water Polo USC 5
W-Soccer UCLA 5
W-Volleyball Both 5
W-Cross Country USC 5
Football USC 10
W-Basketball Both 5
M-Basketball UCLA 10
M-Volleyball Both 2.5
W-Swimming USC 5
M-Tennis UCLA 5
W-Tennis Both 2.5
W-Water Polo USC 5
Baseball UCLA 5
W-Golf USC 5
M-Golf UCLA 5
W-Rowing USC 5
M-Track USC 5
W-Track USC 5
The annual USC-UCLA dual track and field meet, the oldest collegiate dual meet in America, is on Saturday May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will take place at USC's Cromwell Field/Loker Stadium.
Above is a great promo video to get you pumped up! This years event is supporting “Green Power” to save the planet and combat climate change. Fight On, FUCLA and Go Green!
I saw this F DUKE custom license plate on my drive to Las Vegas last weekend. If someone can find a FUCLA, ND SUX or any other amusing custom license plate mocking a SC rival please email them to scoop@trojanwire.com.
Google search images will not be accepted. The plate must be attached to a car. The best submissions will receive an official TrojanWire T-Shirt.
If you are not in a March Madness Bracket Contest, you are not a true sports fan, Rick Neuheisel excluded (fucla). The greatest sporting event ever is upon us. Honestly, is there anything better than a buzzer beater?
Here are some notable first round match-ups:
USC (10) plays Boston College (7) on Friday at 4:20 p.m. Congratulations to the team and coach Floyd for winning the Pac-10 tournament and making it to March Madness. Three straight 20 plus win seasons and three straight Tournament appearances is spectacular. Fight On!
CSU Northridege (15) and their 8% graduate rate (the worst rate of all tournament teams) play last years runner-up Memphis (2).
Missouri (3) plays “Yes CORNELL Really Has a Basketball Team (14).” Cornell beat Hillman College to reach the tournament.
The Trojans are wearing the Zoom Kobe IV for the Pac-10 tourney. The shoe was specifically designed for the team.
Staples Center is the house that Kobe Bryant built (with some help from a guy named Shaq). Hopefully Kobe’s shoes familiarity with the court can bring the team some good luck tonight. FUCLA!
Sneaker dorks can see more pictures of the shoe after the jump.
Demar Derozan celebrates USC's 79-75 victory over Cal. The Trojans were big on the boards and got four critical free throws from Daniel Hackett in final 3.8 seconds.
Next up: FUCLA tonight (3/13) at 8:30pm (Staples Center). Student tickets are only $10.
Timely insights from TrojanWire reader John Staton, Class of '66:
For the 1965 USC/UCLA football game, my friend Larry Van Horn, class of 1966 came up with the great idea of making FUCLA buttons to be worn at the game. We passed them out until we ran out. The USC Admin went nuts. They were very blue nose in those days. There was this investigation trying to find out who did this horrible thing. Well, WE DID IT and proud of it I might add.
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Timely insights from TrojanWire reader John Staton, Class of '66:
