In case you couldn't follow us live, "The RipsIt Minute" gives you a quick rundown of the must-read Blog entries from the previous day: Sitting in an enemy territory: USC sections at AutzenNational coverage: ABC/ESPN2 mapWe fight on: Cool new songOne month later: Stafon Johnson "fighting on"Recovery issues: Forcing fumbles but not getting themDispatch from Howard Jones: Wednesday's practice... more »
In case you couldn't follow us live, "The RipsIt Minute" gives you a quick rundown of the must-read Blog entries from the previous day: Rising up above: A closer look at Allen BradfordA little O-line love: Funny gifts from ESPN'I will be back soon:' Stafon Johnson discharged from hospitalCandid camera: Slipping and slidingWeekend itinerary: Schedule for the tripIn Carroll's... more »
First, you'd think that the Southern Cal players would be a little tense about Saturday's game. Maybe? Just a little? Uh, Nope. (I love how PeteCarrollTV goes to bars before the video ends. Dammit. Just dammit.) For the Irish to win Saturday, they're going to have to put some pressure on Matt Barkley, both with large men chasing... more »
Southern California tailback Stafon Johnson could leave the hospital on Wednesday, just over two weeks after his neck was crushed in a weightlifting accident.... more »
The Trojans will be wearing a special sticker on the helmets this week against Notre Dame for Stafon Johnson that reads “STA FIGHT ON 13.”
In other Stafon news, ESPN is reporting that Johnson will be released from the hospital on Wednesday. Good luck in your recovery Stafon, we will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
**10-14-09 UPDATE**
Here is a statement written by Stafon that was read at his press conference today:
"This has been the most humbling and eye-opening experience in my 21 years of existence. This is not the end of anything, but the beginning of things to come. I will be back soon."
At the end of the press conference Stafon wrote a final message:
More photos » by Lori Shepler - AP 19 days ago: In this Sept. 5, 2009, file photo, Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley (7) and coach Pete Carroll shake hands during practice before an NCAA college football game against San Jose in Los Angeles. Carroll is hoping the return of perhaps USC's two most important players will put the... more »
Before we delve into the present — USC at Notre Dame on Saturday — let’s take a quick look back and ahead. The Trojans’ very recent past was a bye week that gave the coaches a glimpse at the future. Freshman safeties T.J. McDonald (right) and Jawanza Starling received a ton of invaluable reps, and it isn’t difficult to... more »
In case you couldn't follow us live, "The RipsIt Minute" gives you a quick rundown of the must-read Blog entries from the previous day: Show your support: Stafon Johnson's CaringBridge siteTrojans around the League: Big day for USC alums in the NFLMays, Williams named Pac-10 players of the weekVery special performance: USC's special teams step upLiking what they see:... more »
Despite a very emotional week due to the unfortunate accident to Running Back Stafon Johnson, the Trojans put together its most complete performance of the year and routed Cal 30-3 in Strawberry Canyon.
On Friday, I wrote about the 5 keys to setting a “Bear” trap and the Trojans hit on all the points and proved once again that the only team capable of beating the Trojans is the Trojans themselves. When USC does not turn the ball over when it matters, commits few penalties and stays balanced on offense to compliment one of the best defenses’ in college football, it will be very difficult for any college football team to beat them.
A quick review of the keys to victory:
1- Contain Cal's running game: The Trojans held the vaunted Cal rushing attack to only 86 yards. Former Heisman Trophy candidate Jahvid Best was held to 47 yards rushing and only 5 yards receiving. The Trojans forced Kevin “I don’t like big games and throw a high ball” Riley into passing situations that he is not equipped to handle which allowed the Trojans to dominate the Time of Possession 36:46 to 23:14.
The game was basically over when Trojan Safety Taylor Mays ran down Jahvid Best from behind in the backfield in the second quarter. The statement was made that USC’s best defensive player was not going to let Cal’s best offensive player get loose.
(More analysis and some team notes after the jump)
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%.
(Photo of Stafon Johnson Leading Conquest at the 2009 Rose Bowl by Icon Sports Media)
My three least favorite college football teams are UCLA, Notre Dame and Cal. This week we play Cal and I hope we kill them. Saturday will make or break someone's season. The game however is overshadowed by terrible off the field injury.
Stafon Johnson is one of my favorite Trojans. On the field he is smooth, steady and always reliable for a big gain or a goal line score. Off the field he leads by example. He is the spiritual leader of team. When I heard the news I was shocked, then bummed, then worried and scared, then hopeful, and finally thankful and proud. Shocked because this is the type of injury you never hear about. It was a fluke accident. Bummed for Stafon because he has so much potential. He was on track to have a great year. I hoped all his hard work would payoff with an MVP caliber season followed by an early draft selection in the spring. Worried because holy sh*t he dropped 200 plus pounds on his neck. Can you die from that? Scared because I heard he was coughing up blood and had been in surgery for so many hours. Forget about football, this was now about survival. Hopeful because USC is a great institution that takes care of its players. If Stafon was in surgery, I knew the best doctors would be working on him. Thankful that the surgery went well and he was recovering. And proud for all the love and support he has been shown. If you wish to continue that love and support you can send notes of encouragement or anything you deem appropriate to:
Stafon Johnson
USC Football
Heritage Hall 203b
3501 Watt Way
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Or you can keep Stafon in your prayers.
Now on to Cal, last year the Trojans defense dominated Cal in the Coliseum. The final score was 17-3. The Trojans D held Jahvid Best to 30 yards on 13 carries. This year Best is averaging 116 yards per game. Look for the Trojans to stack the line again and force Kevin Riley to make plays. Riley has not thrown an interception this season. He has a streak dating back to last year of 115 pass attempts without an INT. The last time Riley faced USC he was 4 of 16 for 59 yards and an INT.
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