History repeats itself for the Golden Bears; they enter the season with lots of hype, only to fold like a bad hand in poker. Time for them to enter hibernation!
Cal's Heisman hopeful tailback, Jahvid Bust, was held to a season-low 47 rushing yards against USC. Meanwhile Joe McKnight looked the best out there, rushing for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Cal's quarterback, Kevin Riley, really outdid himself this time. Just when you thought his passing completion rate of 38.7% against Oregon could not get any worse, he sunk to a new low against the Trojans with a completion rate of 37.5%.
Here are a couple of USC stories by my colleagues that definitely are worth your time: Mark Whicker profiles defensive coordinator Rocky Seto, whose rags-to-riches story might be unparalleled in college football Scott M. Reid breaks down the weak-side linebacker position, where Shane Horton, a safety just two months ago, is set to make his first career [...]... more »
*Stafon Johnson's physical condition improved Thursday. He has been transferred to Cedars Sinai hospital. Coach Carroll said: "It's amazing how he is dealing with it, he's up and around and getting out of bed. He looks like he is OK, to tell you the truth.''
*Defensive End Nick Perry practiced Thursday and despite being hobbled by a bruised knee is expected to play against Cal.
*Corp still #2: Mitch Mustain had a great week of practice but Coach Carroll said that Aaron Corp is still the #2 back. Will see how long that lasts if USC is in a tight situation on the road and Barkley is unable to go. . .
*Speedster Wideout Ronald Johnson expects to be back for the Notre Dame game which will be a big lift to the offense.
*Wes and Shane Horton will both start for USC on defense Saturday. It will be the first time since 1990 (Craig and Don Gibson) that two brothers started in the same game for the Trojans.
It is hard to say just how much USC will open up the playbook if Matt Barkley isn't able to chuck the ball down field. Clearly USC's problems on offense last weekend against UW made a lot of people take notice and scratch their heads. Today's game against Washington St. is the perfect medicine to try and get things... more »
In a battle between last place teams in the Pac-10 standings, the 12th ranked Trojans (2-1) face an overmatched Washington State Cougars (1-2) team on Saturday at 7:15 pm in the Coliseum.
Though the Cougars are coming off an exciting come from behind overtime win against SMU, they are limping into the Coliseum and will have a tough time putting up much of a fight against the Trojans.
The main goals for the Trojans are to work on eliminating crucial mental mistakes that plagued the team in Seattle (penalties and turnovers) and making progress in the passing game.
Six things to look for in the Coliseum on Saturday:
1-Dominant defensive performance: The Cougars started the season with the dubious distinction of having the least amount of talent in the Pac-10 and just three games into the season they are already down 4 starters on the offensive side of the ball. They have lost two starting offensive lineman, the #1 Wide Receiver left the team to focus on track and the starting Running Back injured his knee against SMU and is out for the year.
USC’s Defensive Line will absolutely dominate the line of scrimmage allowing them to pressure the QB while being able to drop the Linebackers into coverage. The Trojans should also be able to man-up the Wide Receivers in tight coverage allowing the Linebackers and Safeties to make plays on the ball. The Trojans should come up with at least 2 to 3 turnovers.
<!--start image--><!-- end image-->Malcolm Smith, Chris Galippo and Michael Morgan settled into their roles of starting linebackers, but who would be backing them up? One person the coaches turned to for help is former safety Shane Horton, asking him to move to linebacker and take on a new role for the tea... more »
Now that he is no longer a safety and playing linebacker, Shane Horton's gained five pounds since camp started and is up to 215. Horton had been careful with his diet to avoid getting any bigger when he played safety.... more »
<!--start image--><!-- end image-->The Trojans held their last scrimmage of fall camp, a final tune up for the game against Virginia. USCFootball.com's Stacy Bradley got reaction from several players following the mock game. Inside: Interviews with safety Shane Horton, tailback C.J. Gable, offensive tackle Butch Lewis and tight end Blake Ayles... more »
<!--start image--><!-- end image-->For the USC football team, off-season throwing sessions are meant to build timing, maintain focus and refine footwork. For UNLV transfer Shane Horton the informal sessions are giving the safety an opportunity to develop a relationship with his new teammates and acclimate himself with the nature of USC football before spring practice hit... more »
The scene was on court at the Galen Center again, where a couple times Pete Carroll expressed his desire to see Tim Floyd's bunch hand the Bruins another loss this year.
Carroll said this class was about "bigs" not "flash" and he felt fortunate that the Trojans were in a position to play it this way, this year. Joe McKnight was sure excited about the 5 solid offensive line prospects.
After the jump are some notes from last nights event.
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