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|  | Copyright © 2007, the University of Southern California. The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. No logos, photographs or graphics in this email may be reproduced without written permission. All rights reserved. | |
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tailgate at Galen Center
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
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!
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 | 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.
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.”
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Monday, September 22, 2008
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
front of the USC coaching staff Friday
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
September 22, 2008
Trojan Weekend Recruiting Wrap
front of the USC coaching staff Friday
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
Dan Weber's USC Football Notes
USC's Wright will start if he gets medical clearance
By DAN WEBER
The Press-Enterprise
LOS ANGELES - Coach Pete Carroll said junior cornerback Shareece Wright, with an Oct. 29 court date and facing a felony charge of resisting an officer at a Labor Day weekend party in his hometown of Colton, will start Thursday against Oregon State if he gets medical clearance.
Wright has a pinched nerve in his neck that kept him from full-contact work with the first-team defense Sunday.
"We won't know until Wednesday's practice," Carroll said of Wright, who must be cleared for practice before he could get game clearance. "He'll play if he can."
Galippo Ready to Practice
Redshirt freshman linebacker Chris Galippo was ruled "100 percent medically ready" for full-contact practice this week, but he still may not play Thursday because of the short week of practice.
"They don't want to throw me in there," said Galippo, whose July back surgery to remove a ruptured disk, his second such operation since entering USC, will have been 12 weeks ago to the day Friday.
But he's not been ruled out, and if he gets game clearance the next two days, Carroll said the 245-pound middle linebacker from Corona will be used on special teams at the very least.
"If something catastrophic should happen like Rey (Maualuga) getting hurt," Galippo said, "I would step up and give it a go."
But to do that, Galippo must be cleared soon enough to be included on the 64-man traveling squad allowed for Pac-10 games and a Wednesday afternoon charter flight to Eugene.
Green in QB Mix
Part of it was getting Garrett Green up to speed Sunday after a special teams knee injury took him out of practice for the most part last week.
And part of the reason for having the senior quarterback taking all of the second-team snaps Sunday, in a fast-paced workout in full pads, was that the competition to be backup quarterback has been expanded to include Green with Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp.
"We're giving Garrett a good look," Carroll said. "He'd have played last week against Ohio State if he hadn't been injured" when he "tweaked his knee" on kickoff coverage.
"It's the right thing to do," Carroll said of elevating Green, who could have gone to Harvard out of high school but chose USC, where he's played wide receiver, safety and now quarterback, his high school position.
No Stopping Turner
With one tough catch in traffic after another, wide receiver Patrick Turner was the star of the fast-paced Sunday workout that replicated a normal, heavy contact Tuesday despite two days off over the weekend.
"He's more confident," Carroll said of the 6-foot-5 senior. "He makes adjustments. He's one of the old guys now."
Carroll talked to Turner about how he should feel like "an eighth-grader playing against fifth-graders" or "a 12th-grader playing against ninth-graders."
"I told him to understand that and utilize it," Carroll said. With six catches for 105 yards, a 17.5-yard average and one touchdown -- second-best on the team to Damian Williams -- Turner has realized that, Mark Sanchez said.
"He's the senior leader," Sanchez said. "He's stepped up and this year there's no stopping him."
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
From a Poster at WeAreSC
Two posters, actually...Trojan Jim and Zia Trojan...it's self explanatory...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
USC Slaps Ohio State Back to Columbus
USC Crushes OSU 35-3
Okay, #1 USC blew-out OSU. Knocked them out of the top-10. So what does it all mean?
Let's start with my game prediction:
[Game Week Prediction USC 41 OSU 10
"The Buckeyes get off to a quick start, scoring the first touchdown. It's all Trojans from there, USC reeling off 41 straight points until OSU scores a field goal in garbage time. Player of the game: Damian Williams."]
Pretty close, but I predicted that before Beanie Wells was called out of the lineup. If Wells had been there, OSU would probably have gotten their 10, but then again, USC would have played better and have their 41.
Damian Williams did have a decided great game, with 2 touchdown grabs and 3 catches for 49 yards, but clearly, Mark Sanchez' 17-28/172 yards and 4 touchdowns was a player of the game performance.
Joe McKnight also had a great game with 12 carries for 106 yards. USC planned to use the four tailback rotation, but offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkesian said Joe had the hot hand so they decided to go with him.
Here's a clip of the post game from the Associated Press:
Meanwhile, out in Westwood, things aren't going so well. After defeating a hapless Tennessee Volunteer team, the Bruins were happy as peaches. The press was preparing to put the crowning glory on the triumvirate of coaches in Westwood. I believe they have been touted as the "Dream Team" of college coaching.
Not so fast...UCLA was thoroughly trashed 59-0 by BYU...talk about DeWayne Walker's defense being solid and Norm Chow's miraculous game-calling abilities may be a bit premature. You may have good, even great coaching...but it's the players that play the game. The talent level in Westwood is not quite there yet, playing a third string quarterback will not get it done, unless of course, if your third string quarterback is named Mitch Mustain.
Matt Cassel:
In the NFL, even backup USC Quarterbacks are successful. Matt Cassel, who was a journeyman back up for the Trojans, is the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots:
Even without Brady, Patriots beat Jets
Dennis Waszak, AP Sports Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Life without Tom Brady might not be so bad for New England after all.
Matt Cassel was efficient running the offense in his first NFL start, taking over for the injured quarterback and leading the Patriots over Brett Favre and the New York Jets 19-10 on Sunday.
Cassel, who hadn’t started at any level since his senior year of high school, was 16-of-23 for 165 yards, Sammy Morris ran for a touchdown and Stephen Gostkowski kicked four field goals.
Friday, September 12, 2008
A Colorful History
Here's a nice story from bucknuts.com:Ohio State-USC: Quite A Colorful History
Ohio State and USC are two of college football's most storied programs. After an 18-year break, they will renew their colorful rivalry Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (8 p.m., ABC). We look at the history of these two great programs and also share thumbnails on the 21 previous meetings in this series. Click this free link for more. Two of the preeminent college football programs will go head to head Saturday night as No. 1-ranked Southern California hosts No. 5 Ohio State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (8 p.m. Eastern, ABC national telecast).
These are two schools that, at least over the course of college football history, well acquainted with one another – even if they have not met over the past 18 years.
They have met 21 times previously with USC holding an 11-9-1 edge in that overall series.
The teams have not met since the 1989-90 seasons when USC swept a series at Los Angeles (42-3) and Columbus (35-26). USC has a 4-2-1 edge in home games played at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. The Trojans also have a 4-3 edge in the seven Rose Bowl games played between the schools in Pasadena, Calif. USC is 3-4 all-time in Columbus.
The Buckeyes and Trojans will meet for the first game of a two-year home-and-home contract. OSU will host USC on Sept. 12, 2009.
In terms of college football history, it would be hard to do much better than Ohio State or USC. They each have their share of legendary coaches with Paul Brown, Woody Hayes and current coach Jim Tressel on the OSU side and John McKay, John Robinson and current coach Pete Carroll for USC.
USC boasts nine national championship seasons to seven for Ohio State. Each school has claimed seven Heisman Trophies. For USC, those names include Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), Marcus Allen (1981), Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004) and Reggie Bush (2005). For Ohio State, the Heismans belong to Les Horvath (1944), Vic Janowicz (1950), Howard “Hopalong” Cassady (1955), Archie Griffin (1974-75), Eddie George (1995) and Troy Smith (2006).
Over the last six years, USC is the only school with six straight BCS bowl berths. Ohio State is next with five BCS berths in that same time period.
With its win over Ohio U. on Saturday, Ohio State became the fifth college football program in Division I-A to reach the 800-win plateau. USC stands 10th on the same list with 754 victories. (Michigan is tops with 870.)
This new two-game series between the schools has been in the works for the last five years or so. Speaking earlier this year, Tressel discussed this special OSU-USC match-up.
“It just so happens that this year Southern Cal has one of the finest teams in the nation coming back,” Tressel said. “Ohio State has a lot of folks coming back. There is a lot of anticipation. That is why it is a lot of fun coaching and playing here and we’re looking forward to it.”
With the game on tap this Saturday, we will take a look back at the colorful history of the Ohio State-USC rivalry. Here is a game-by-game look at the 21 previous games in this rivalry (Associated Press poll rankings on game day in parentheses for both teams):
* Oct. 9, 1937 at Los Angeles: USC 13, Ohio State 12 – USC quarterback Ambrose Schindler scored one touchdown on the ground and threw 37 yards to Bill Anderson for the game winner in the fourth quarter. OSU, which got touchdowns from Jim McDonald and Dick Nardi, missed a fourth-quarter PAT kick that spelled defeat. Schindler also intercepted an OSU pass to thwart a late threat.
* Oct. 8, 1938 at Columbus: USC 14, Ohio State 7 – USC came to Columbus for the first time and took the win over the host Buckeyes before 62,778 at Ohio Stadium. The key play was an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown by USC quarterback Grenville Lansdell.
* Oct. 4, 1941 at Los Angeles: Ohio State 33, USC 0 – Ohio State dealt USC its first shutout loss in 11 seasons before a stunned crowd estimated at 65,000 at the Coliseum. OSU built a 20-0 halftime lead after impressive scoring drives of 83, 80 and 81 yards. Jack Graf, Charlie Anderson and Dick Fisher scored the three OSU touchdowns.
In the second half, Graf threw a 48-yard TD pass to Bob Shaw and Fisher added another score on the ground. OSU ended up 6-1-1 that year for first-year head coach Paul Brown.
* Oct. 10, 1942 at Columbus: Ohio State (1) 28, USC 12 – The Buckeyes were on their way to the school’s first national championship and a 9-1 season. They pulled off this win before 56,436 at Ohio Stadium.
USC scored first, but OSU answered with 28 straight points. Shaw caught touchdown passes of 64 yards from Paul Sarringhaus and 40 yards from Tommy James. Bob Frye added a 37-yard TD run, while George Lynn had an 8-yard scoring run.
* Oct. 5, 1946 at Los Angeles: Ohio State 21, USC 0 – The Buckeyes cruised to the shutout victory before 80,047 at the Coliseum. Sophomore fullback Joe Whisler ran for 73 yards and scored all three of the game’s touchdowns on short runs. The game was dedicated to the memory of Howard Jones, the former head coach at both OSU and USC who died in 1941.
In the days of early air travel, OSU had planned to use one large plane to transport the team. But the government nixed that plan, meaning the team and its gear had to be split up and sent on three separate smaller planes. Those smaller planes did not have as much fuel capacity, meaning OSU had to make three stops on the way out and back. Fog complicated the return trip, meaning the team didn’t get home until Monday evening after the game.
* Oct. 11, 1947 at Columbus: USC (20) 32, Ohio State 0 – USC returned the favor for the previous season’s shutout by doing the same before 76,559 at Ohio Stadium. USC ended up that season 7-2-1 and played Michigan in the Rose Bowl. OSU was 2-6-1 in Wes Fesler’s first season as the OSU coach.
* Oct. 2, 1948 at Columbus: Ohio State 20, USC 0 – USC visited Ohio Stadium for the second year in a row and the result was much different as the Buckeyes rolled to the victory before a crowd of 75,102.
Joe Whisler scored twice on short plunges from the 1-yard line and Jerry Krall caught a 6-yard TD pass from Pandel Savic. The game was broadcast nationally on radio by Harry Wismer of ABC and Bill Stern of NBC.
* Oct. 8, 1949 at Los Angeles: USC (8) 13, Ohio State (11) 13 – The only tie in this legendary series came in 1949 before a crowd of 62,877 at the Coliseum. Ohio State dominated the statistical battle with 407 yards to USC’s 194.
Frank Gifford – yes, that Frank Gifford – missed a PAT kick for the Trojans, while Jimmy Hague had a PAT kick blocked for the Buckeyes. OSU scored early on a pass from Gerald Krall to Ray Hamilton. Fred Morrison’s 66-yard TD run gave Ohio State a 13-6 lead. But the Trojans answered to tie the game at 13-13 and that’s where it ended up. OSU ended up 7-1-2 that season, including a Rose Bowl win over California.
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| The game program from the '55 Rose Bowl |
* Jan. 1, 1955 at Pasadena (Rose Bowl): Ohio State (1) 20, USC (17) 7 – A monsoon-like rain made the Rose Bowl field mush.
But the Buckeyes (10-0) survived and captured their second national championship with this victory before 89,191 at the Rose Bowl. Ohio State jumped out to a 14-0 lead after touchdown runs by quarterback Dave Leggett and halfback Bobby Watkins.
Halfback Howard “Hopalong” Cassady had 94 yards rushing on 21 carries. USC (8-4) got its only score on Aramis Dandoy’s 86-yard punt return for a touchdown.
* Oct. 2, 1959 at Los Angeles: USC (11) 17, Ohio State (14) 0 – This was a special Friday night game at the Coliseum. After grabbing a 3-0 lead, USC quarterback Ben Charles hit end Luther Hayes with a 38-yard touchdown pass late in the first half. A 33-yard Charles-to-Hayes spiral set up Charles’ clinching 4-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
OSU fullback Bob White was held to 58 yards. The Buckeyes twice got inside the 20-yard line, but could not score.
* Oct. 1, 1960 at Columbus: Ohio State (9) 20, USC 0 – Ohio State fullback Bob Ferguson came up big in this game with 157 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Ferguson opened the scoring with his 74-yard TD jaunt. He added scoring runs of 2 and 19 yards. The OSU defense held USC to just 69 yards rushing and picked off four Trojans passes.
USC, which fell to 0-3 on the year, dropped a fifth straight game for just the second time in school history. The crowd figure was a sellout 83,204 at Ohio Stadium.
* Oct. 19, 1963 at Los Angeles: USC 32, Ohio State (4) 3 – Ohio State threw more interceptions (four) than it had completed passes (three). Kicker Dick van Raaphorst opened the scoring with a 44-yard field goal for the Buckeyes.
But it was all Trojans after that. Two-way star Mike Garrett tackled OSU’s Paul Warfield in the end zone for a safety. USC quarterback Pat Beathard led the onslaught. He threw for 159 yards and a touchdown and also rushed 1 yard for a score. USC’s Willie Brown chipped in a 49-yard TD run. USC outgained OSU 407-178 in total yardage.
Following the game, OSU coach Woody Hayes opined, “Our No. 4 national ranking was a joke.” It was Hayes’ worst loss in his first 13 years as the OSU head coach.
* Oct. 17, 1964 at Columbus: Ohio State (2) 17, USC 0 – The Buckeyes sought revenge and found it in this home win before 84,315 at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes intercepted USC quarterback Craig Fertig three times and benefitted from a fumble by Garrett.
OSU fullback Willard Sander had 120 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries, while quarterback Don Unverferth threw for a score and kicker Bob Funk capped the scoring with a fourth-quarter field goal.
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| The game program from the '69 Rose Bowl |
* Jan. 1, 1969 at Pasadena (Rose Bowl): Ohio State (1) 27, USC (2) 16 – This stands as one of the most important games in Ohio State history as the Buckeyes rolled to the win in this one-versus-two battle and clinched the national championship before 102,063 at the Rose Bowl. The game matched unbeaten teams for the first time in the 22-year history of the Big Ten/Pac-10 Rose Bowl arrangement.
The Buckeyes (10-0) had to battle back from an early 10-0 deficit after Heisman Trophy winner O.J. Simpson rolled for an 80-yard touchdown run. Simpson would end up with 171 yards on 28 carries.
Fullback Jim Otis, who had 101 yards on 30 carries for OSU, bulled in for a 1-yard touchdown and kicker Jim Roman tied it at 10-10 on a 26-yard field goal with three seconds left in the first half.
Following a USC turnover, quarterback Rex Kern (9 of 15 passing, 101 yards, two TDs and 35 yards rushing) hit halfback Leo Hayden with a 4-yard TD pass for a 20-10 lead. A Simpson fumble led to Kern’s TD pass to Ray Gillian. USC (9-1-1) scored in the final minute to make it respectable.
* Jan. 1, 1973 at Pasadena (Rose Bowl): USC (1) 42, Ohio State (3) 17 – USC (12-0) cruised to the easy win and claimed the third national championship in coach John McKay’s 13 years at the helm before 106,869 at the Rose Bowl.
Archie Griffin in 1973
Fullback Sam “Bam” Cunningham had four touchdown leaps for the Trojans, who broke open a 7-7 game by scoring on their first five possessions of the second half. Tailback Anthony Davis chipped in 157 yards and the Buckeyes (9-2) had no answer for the passing tandem of quarterback Mike Rae (18 of 25, 225 yards, one TD) and wide receiver Lynn Swann (six catches, 108 yards, one TD).
The 42 points were the most allowed at that point by any Hayes-coached Ohio State team. OSU halfback Archie Griffin, the only man to start four Rose Bowl games, had 95 yards on 20 carries.
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| The game program from the '74 Rose Bowl |
* Jan. 1, 1974 at Pasadena (Rose Bowl): Ohio State (4) 42, USC (7) 21 – The Buckeyes (10-0-1) gained a measure of revenge from the previous year’s defeat by grinding out this win – literally – before 105,267 at the Rose Bowl. OSU piled up 323 yards rushing on 59 carries with Griffin leading the way with 149 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
OSU fullback Pete Johnson added 94 yards and three touchdowns (1, 1 and 4 yards) on 21 carries. Quarterback Cornelius Greene chipped in 129 yards passing and 45 more with a touchdown on the ground.
USC (9-2-1) actually held a 21-14 lead late in the third quarter before OSU scored the game’s last 28 points. Griffin’s 47-yard touchdown run capped the scoring with 4:35 left in the game.
Quarterback Pat Haden completed 21 of 39 passes for 229 yards for the Trojans.
“This is the greatest victory I’ve ever had or we’ve ever had,” Hayes said afterwards. His unbeaten Buckeyes ended up second to only Notre Dame in the final AP poll.
* Jan. 1, 1975 at Pasadena (Rose Bowl): USC (5) 18, Ohio State (3) 17 – USC (10-1-1), behind the heroics of its quarterback Haden, pulled off this come-from-behind win before 106,721 at the Rose Bowl and parlayed it into the UPI poll national championship.
Haden (12 of 22 passing, 181 yards, two TDs, two interceptions) hit wide receiver J.K. McKay (five catches, 104 yards) with a 38-yard touchdown pass with 2:03 left in the game. Trailing 17-16, Haden then rolled right and threw a two-point conversion pass to a diving Sheldon Diggs to give the Trojans the slimmest of margins.
The Buckeyes made a last-ditch effort to win it, but Tom Skladany’s 62-yard field goal attempt fell short. The kick was that long because USC’s Gary Jeter sacked Greene on a previous play.
OSU led 7-3 after three quarters and was ahead 17-10 midway through the fourth quarter after a 3-yard Greene TD run and a 32-yard field goal by Tom Klaban. The Buckeyes (10-2) ended up fourth in the final AP poll.
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| The game program from the '80 Rose Bowl |
* Jan. 1, 1980 at Pasadena (Rose Bowl): USC (3) 17, Ohio State (1) 16 – Once again, USC (11-0-1) snatched victory away from the Buckeyes (11-1) and first-year coach Earle Bruce, who had national championship aspirations. Heisman Trophy winner Charles White broke loose for 247 yards and one touchdown on 39 carries.
With USC down 16-10, White carried for 71 of USC’s 83 yards on its game-winning touchdown drive. He capped that drive by diving in from the 1 for a touchdown with a scant 1:32 left in the game. Kicker Eric Hipp’s extra point was the margin of victory. USC outgained OSU 519-412 in total offense, winning the game before a crowd of 105,526 at the Rose Bowl.
OSU quarterback Art Schlichter completed 11 of 21 passes for 297 yards with one interception and a 67-yard touchdown to Gary Williams. But the Buckeyes had to settle for three Vlade Janakievski field goals (35, 37 and 24 yards).
USC quarterback Paul McDonald threw for 234 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Williams. Alabama (12-0) won the AP poll title with USC second, Oklahoma third and Ohio State fourth. USC coach John Robinson improved to 3-0 as a coach in the Rose Bowl.
* Jan. 1, 1985 at Pasadena (Rose Bowl): USC (18) 20, Ohio State (6) 17 – USC (9-3) built a 17-6 halftime lead and held on down the stretch to get the win before 102,594 as the teams met for the fifth time in 13 seasons at the Rose Bowl. Quarterback Tim Green completed 13 of 24 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns for the Trojans.
Ohio State (9-3) outgained USC 403-261 in total yardage, but the Trojan defense largely kept the Buckeyes out of the end zone. The Buckeyes settled for three Rich Spangler field goals (21, 46 and 52 yards). Quarterback Mike Tomczak (24 of 37 passing, 290 yards, three interceptions, one TD) hit freshman Cris Carter with an 18-yard TD pass to trim the gap to 20-17 with 7:34 left in the game.
USC and Ohio State square off in 1984
The Buckeyes had one more possession and moved as close as the USC 43-yard line before turning it over on downs after a sack and three incompletions. Tailback Keith Byars, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, was held to 109 yards on 23 carries. Carter got loose for nine catches for 172 yards.
* Sept. 23, 1989 at Los Angeles: USC (12) 42, Ohio State (20) 3 – USC quarterback Todd Marinovich completed 14 of 22 passes for 246 yards and four touchdowns against one interception as the Trojans crushed the Buckeyes before 69,876 at the Coliseum. It was the first regular season meeting between the schools in 25 years – the longest drought in regular season action between the two schools since the series began.
“Todd executed the big plays today,” said USC coach Larry Smith. “He went for the jugular.”
Marinovich found Scott Galbraith for two scores and connected with John Jackson on an 87-yarder. The Buckeyes could not handle USC’s defensive pressure, led by All-American linemen Tim Ryan and Junior Seau. OSU quarterbacks Greg Frey and Kirk Herbstreit were sacked a combined four times and pressured countless other instances.
USC ended up 9-2-1 that season and defeated Michigan in the Rose Bowl. OSU was 8-4 in coach John Cooper’s second year at the helm.
* Sept. 29, 1990 at Columbus: USC (18) 35, Ohio State (12) 26 – This game is memorable because the most of the second half was played in a torrential downpour and amid a thunderstorm that produced ground-strike lightning around Ohio Stadium. But, even as many in the sellout crowd of 89,422 fled for higher ground, the teams continued playing until 2:36 remained in the game.
The Buckeyes had just pulled within nine points of the Trojans when OSU coach John Cooper suggested that if his team did not recover the ensuing onside kick they would call the game. When USC recovered the kick, the game was called.
Prior to the stoppage, the Trojans rushed for 331 yards with tailback Ricky Ervins going for 199 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. USC opened the scoring with a blocked punt for a score. OSU trimmed the gap to 14-10 after the first of two TD passes by Frey, who ended up 19 of 36 passing for 262 yards with an interception.
But Ervins’ second TD run put USC up 21-10 at halftime. USC ended up 8-4-1 that season with a John Hancock Bowl loss to Michigan State. Ohio State was 7-4-1 with a Liberty Bowl loss to Air Force.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
More Beanie Drama
What Gives?
from palestra.net:
This is getting a bit comical. Now, this could be an honest turn of events, but it kinda smacks of 'game playing.' OSU has never come out and said what the extent of the injury to Wells is. One day he's playing, the next day he's not. One day he's day-to-day, and they never really explained the injury.
It all seems a bit contrived and really, quite trivial.
from palestra.net:
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OSU's "Beanie" Wells Now "Doubtful" For USC
Tom Orr reporting from Columbus, OH (2008-09-11 11:27:16)
"According to OSU head coach Jim Tressel just a moment ago, star running back Chris "Beanie" Wells did not practice today, and is considered "doubtful" for Saturday's game at USC. Wells did practice with the Buckeyes on Wednesday of this week, but experienced soreness in his injured foot and did not work out Thursday morning before the Buckeyes left for LA. Check back to Palestra.net for further updates on this developing story."
This is getting a bit comical. Now, this could be an honest turn of events, but it kinda smacks of 'game playing.' OSU has never come out and said what the extent of the injury to Wells is. One day he's playing, the next day he's not. One day he's day-to-day, and they never really explained the injury.
It all seems a bit contrived and really, quite trivial.
ESPN - the Hype Continues
ESPN continues to plug the USC - Ohio State game with airing of it's "Walk-thru" -ESPNU’s “Walk ThrU” Ohio State and USC College Football Moments from Past and Present
As a prelude to No. 5 Ohio State at No. 1 USC live Saturday, Sept. 13, at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN Radio, ESPNU’s Walk ThrU special will highlight several college football moments from the Buckeyes and Trojans’ past and present, including the 1985 and 1990 Rose Bowl matchups between both schools. Coverage begins Friday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m.
In addition, ESPNU will continue to utilize Campus Connection students during the college football season. All weeklong on ESPNU, a student from Ohio State and USC will provide student perspectives from the campuses leading up to Saturday’s matchup.
USC vs. Ohio State Walk ThrU Schedule:
Fri., Sept. 12
1 p.m.
Ohio vs. Ohio State (2008)
3:30 p.m.
USC at Virginia (2008)
Sat., Sept. 13
12 a.m.
USC vs. Arizona State (2005)
3 a.m.
Michigan vs. Ohio State (2006)
6 a.m.
2006 Heisman Presentation (Troy Smith)
7 a.m.
2005 Heisman Presentation (Reggie Bush)
8 a.m.
1985 Rose Bowl: USC (20) vs. Ohio State (17)
10 a.m.
1990 Rose Bowl: USC (35) vs. Ohio State (26)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
LA Times Takes a Jab at OSU
Bill Plaschke (Los Angeles Times)
To a man, Trojans should be motivated for this one
Incendiary comments by Ohio State receiver Ray Small are sure to resonate at USC leading up to Saturday's game, which will answer a simple question: Who's the man?
Full Article Click Here
To a man, Trojans should be motivated for this one
Incendiary comments by Ohio State receiver Ray Small are sure to resonate at USC leading up to Saturday's game, which will answer a simple question: Who's the man?
The leader of the Ohio State program fell all over his sweater vest spouting admiration for the USC program Tuesday, Coach Jim Tressel claiming he believed that the Trojans played football "the right way."
We know better.
We know better.
Full Article Click Here
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Get There Early on Saturday!
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