It wasn’t that USC was so besieged with injuries last year, but that so many of them came at one vulnerable position. The first three fullbacks went down because of season-ending injuries in the first three weeks, leaving the job to a 200-pound former walk-on (Mike Brittingham) and a converted linebacker (Thomas Williams). Some tacklers reached the USC backfield untouched, and the passing game was more vanilla than in years past… continue

In my half-drunken afternoon workday, wanted to let you know about the changes to the NEWS BY PLAYER (on your right).

We finally slotted Cary Harris in (officially). He has been starting at corner, but now with the injury to Kevin Thomas, he should really be starting.

Sedrick Ellis is back at nose tackle.

Mike Brittingham? Yes, the human cannon ball is starting at fullback.

And we swapped out Kyle Moore for Brian Cushing at the defensive end spot; eventhough Cush is playing that "elephant" role, where he stands up at the line and either rushes like a DE or drops back like a LB, but he starts up at the line so thats where we're leaving him.

He talked about Powdrell's injury being terrible and how they had to actually set the ankle on the field. He will have a full recovery but it will take a while and they have an outside chance of getting a 6th year for him.

Ouch.

Brandon Hancock also spoke on Powdrell's replacement, saying that Stanley Havili has the most upside, but they are calling Mike Brittingham the human torpedo.

On the Husker touchdown it appeared as if Sartz was held on the play but it was not called. Carroll loved the fans in the stadium chanting, "Holding! Holding!"

The Huskers managed to stay close because of their conservative playing, and the refusal to give up the ball. The Trojans only managed one turnover, but had several called back because of penalties.

Monday Morning Quarterback Report [USCFootball.com]