2013 Opener at Hawaii

USC Press Release:

No. 24 USC Football Opens 2013 Season At Hawaii

Trojans meet Rainbow Warriors on Thursday.

USC Game Notes

The No. 24-ranked USC football team begins its 2013 season with a trip to Hawaii to face former Trojan assistant Norm Chow's Rainbow Warriors. The Thursday game in 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium kicks off the long Labor Day weekend. It is the fifth time since 1999 that the teams have opened a season against each other, including the fourth time in Honolulu. It is also the fourth time that Troy begins a season with a Thursday contest (this will be the first of 3 weekday games for USC in 2013, including 2 on Thursday and a Friday outing). It is just the ninth-ever August game for USC.

The Trojans have not lost an opener since 1997, they haven't dropped a non-conference road game since 2006 and they've never fallen to Hawaii in 8 encounters (USC has averaged nearly 50 points in each of those meetings). Troy also has a near spotless record against current Mountain West Conference opponents. And the Trojans have lost just once on the island of Oahu (in a bowl). USC is celebrating its 125th anniversary of athletics (dating to the first football game in 1888). Lane Kiffin's debut as USC's head coach was a 2010 road win at Hawaii. The Trojans, who have only 67 eligible scholarship players available because of NCAA sanctions and injuries, are looking to bounce back from a once-promising-turned-sour 2012 season in which the national pre-season No. 1 squad started off 6-1 before dropping 5 of the last 6 games to finish at 7-6. USC is led by 2012 unanimous All-American and Biletnikoff Award winner Marqise Lee, who was fourth in last year's Heisman Trophy balloting. He owns or shares 22 USC records, including most receptions (118) in a season and most receiving yards in a season and game, all league standards he set last year. He is on target to break USC's career records for receptions and kickoff return yards.

For the first time since 2009, USC will have a new player behind center and the down-to-the-wire competition is between QBs Max Wittek, who started the final 2 games of 2012, and Cody Kessler. Whoever wins out will have more than just Lee as aerial targets, including the talented duo of TEs Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer (combined 82 career catches with 18 TDs) and promising young WRs Nelson Agholor and Darreus Rogers. The running attack is deep, led by returning starting TB Silas Redd, a 2,500-yard career rusher at USC and Penn State, plus impressive youngsters like TBs Tre Madden and Justin Davis. Troy's offensive line has starters returning from 4 spots, topped by veteran OT Kevin Graf.

There's a new defensive coordinator (Clancy Pendergast) and the hope is that his 5-2 scheme will help the Trojans vastly improve after allowing in 2012 nearly the most yards and points in school history. Among the key defensive returnees are OLB Morgan Breslin, a 2012 Hendricks Award finalist (his 13 sacks were the most at USC since 2003), 2012 Freshman All-American DE Leonard Williams, who was the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (he had 13.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks), 2-year starting LBs Hayes Pullard and Lamar Dawson, DE George Uko, S-CB Josh Shaw (he'll be at safety in 2013 after starting at cornerback last year), veteran OLB Devon Kennard, who sat out 2012 with an injury, and S Dion Bailey, who started the last 2 seasons at linebacker.

Two-year starting PK Andre Heidari (25 career field goals) also returns.

 Hawaii returns 16 starters (same as USC) from a squad that went 3-9 in 2012, but finished on a 2-game winning streak. Ohio State transfer QB Taylor Graham could emerge as the starting signalcaller, as last year's starter, QB Sean Schroeder, is coming off of spring back surgery. The Rainbow Warriors feature such skill position threats as WRs Billy Ray Stutzman, who topped UH in receptions last fall and has caught a pass in the past 23 games, and Australian Scott Harding, also a dangerous punt returner, as well as beefy RB Joey Iosefa (a 1,000-yard career rusher). Sophomore C Ben Clarke anchors an offensive line that surrendered 40 sacks in 2012. On defense, Hawaii returns its leaders in tackles (DB Marrell Jackson), tackles for losses (LB Art Laurel) and interceptions (DB John Hardy-Tuliau, who will start for his fourth season). The game will be shown live on cable's CBS Sports Network, the first time that USC has appeared on that air.

Photos: USC Defeats BC

Tailgate at Galen Center

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Dodgers Win National League West!



On to the playoffs! Maybe these Dodgers can get deep into the playoffs. They may be able to win the pennant and get into the series.

Here's a video that summarizes the Dodgers success this season:

Quarterback: Garrett Green

Pete Carroll Names Garrett Green Back-up Quarterback

Remember Garrett Green? Pete Carroll has named the former quarterback turned safety turned wide receiver, turned special teams place holder, the backup quarterback. Here's an article I wrote about him and a video from the team scrimmage at the Coliseum. Fight On to Garrett Green!

Garrett Green, the Ultimate Trojan
Wide Receiver Garrett Green		By Clay DeLeon SCPlaybook.com Posted Apr 19, 2008 In two years with the Trojans, Garrett Green has been asked to play quarterback, safety, wide-receiver and holder for place kicking. Green has taken on all responsibilities asked of him. SCPlaybook caught up with the versatile athlete.
Post Huddle Interview: Garrett Green A Conversation with Quarterback Turned Safety Turned Wide Receiver A Round of Applause for Garrett Green Garrett Green is the quintessential role player. So much has been asked of Green, and this all-around athlete has delivered so much. Green entered USC as a quarterback in 2006. Shortly after his arrival, he was asked to move to safety. He played most of his freshman year on special teams. His second season in 2007, Green was again asked to switch positions. He did so, and spent the season as a back-up wide receiver and was available as a quarterback if he was called upon. The highlight of his season came in the 2008 Rose bowl, where he threw a 34-yard touchdown pass off of a lateral from John David Booty. That play turned the momentum of the game and the Trojans never looked back. As a junior in 2008, Green will be asked to accept yet another role for the team, as holder for place kicks. Green will replace Michael McDonald for this duty. In addition, he will continue to be a wide receiver for the Trojans. Green had two receptions and a touchdown at the Spring Huddle. SCPlaybook caught up with Green to discuss his role with the Trojans. Garrett Green throws a touchdown to Desmond Reed in the 2008 Rose Bowl Discuss your play at spring camp. Green said, “It’s been a great spring and this is a good ‘cap-off’ to it.” Green caught two passes (one for a touchdown) at the spring scrimmage. Talk about your various roles. He replied, “I came in as a quarterback and was moved to safety in my freshman year and now I’m a receiver. I’ve just completed my second year.” What are your attitudes with the various roles? Green commented, “You know, I didn’t see this coming in. When they ask you to switch, it doesn’t do you any good to not give 100%. I came in thinking I would be a quarterback, I had certain expectations of myself, then I went to defensive back and now I’m a receiver. Your goals, aspirations and motivations switches as you go, but the main thing is you are trying to get on the field any way that you can.” “As a receiver, everyone has different roles, my role is a little extended. It goes a little outside of the receiver role. The attitude (for different roles) really flows from the top down. It really starts from the coaches, they really try to get everyone motivated and you really want to be on the field. It definitely comes from the top and trickles down to the players.” How do you think this will affect you on the next level? “I really would be hard-pressed to think that far ahead. Right now, priority number one is competing at practice and trying to get on the field.” Last question, how are your studies? “I’ll be a junior this year, and I’ve declared a major, I’m studying Business Administration.” Photos courtesy of Jaime Rodriguez, ValleyTrojan.com

Game Preview: USC vs OSU

USC vs. OSU GAME NOTES

On a rare Thursday evening football game, the Trojans take on the Beavers in Corvallis.

USC (2-0) at OREGON STATE (1-2) - Thursday, September 25 - 6:00 PST - ESPN national telecast

The Series: USC and Oregon State have met 71 times dating to 1914 with the Trojans holding a commanding 58-9-4 series advantage. The Beavers, however, have won two of the last three games played at Corvallis, most recently a stunning 33-31 upset win over the No. 3-ranked Trojans in 2006.

Last Year: USC and Oregon State met at Los Angeles with the Trojans prevailing 24-3 with all the scoring coming in the first half. That victory started USC’s current seven game winning streak. The Trojan defense was dominant in limiting the Beavers to 176 yards total offense (91
rushing, 85 passing) and posting nine QB sacks. The OSU defense performed well in limiting SC to 287 yards total offense, but a 21-point barrage in less than eight minutes in the second quarter provided the difference.

Trojans become the last team to enter Conference play with game at Oregon State Thursday night. After having a couple of early open dates, Trojans play the next eight weeks straight. QB Mark Sanchez and MLB Rey Maualuga picked up Pac-10 offensive and defensive player of the week honors for their roles in Trojans’ 35-3 win against Ohio State in USC’s last outing. It is the second offensive player of the week plaque for Sanchez in as many games.

Sanchez has tossed seven TD passes in SC’s first two games this year. He has at least two TD
passes in each of his last four starts.

USC defense piled up 11 tackles for loss vs. Ohio State (-52 yards), including five QB sacks (-36).

USC defense has not allowed a touchdown in its last seven quarters and has surrendered only one in first two games.

USC has won its last 15 September games.

OLB Clay Matthews has forced a fumble in each of the first two games.


Coaching Note: Oregon State coach Mike Riley spent four years (1993-96) as offensive coordinator at USC under John Robinson before taking the job as Oregon State head coach the first time.

PAC-10 NOTES:

CURRENT STREAKS:

Longest overall winning streak: 7 games - USC
Longest Conference-game winning streak: 4 games - USC
Longest home winning streak: 4 games - Arizona and USC
Longest road winning streak: 3 games - USC

OUT OF OUR LEAGUE: In 24 non-conference games to date, the Pac-10 is dead even at 12-12 against non-conference foes.

HOME/ROAD: In 29 games involving Pac-10 teams so far this season, the home team has won 20 times, the visitors nine times. In five Conference games, the home team stands at 3-2.

USC Football Recruiting Wrap

From Gerard Martinez

September 22, 2008

Trojan Weekend Recruiting Wrap

Chris Metcalf had two interceptions in
front of the USC coaching staff Friday

Gerard Martinez
USCFootball.com Senior Analyst

Although USC had another bye Saturday, the Trojans' coaching staff was out in force Friday making evaluations throughout Southern California.

While Pete and Brennan Carroll watched the Corona Centennial, Mater Dei match up, dozens of Trojan targets took the field nationwide.

Full Article Here