Trojans Slash Cavaliers 52-7

The Mark Sanchez Era Begins in Impressive Fashion

Before the season began, the largest question that hung over the Trojans was, 'Can Mark Sanchez Deliver?' In his first game at the helm, Sanchez emphatically answered, 'Yes!' USC's 52-7 drubbing could be a sign of big things to come for the Trojans.

Sanchez went: 26-of-35, 338 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception. Impressive, indeed. Sanchez spread the field, hitting all of his receivers and handing off to a boat-load of running backs. In fact, the Trojans utilized seven running backs and passed to nine different receivers.

Get the stats and highlights here:

Dan Weber, Press Enterprise

Dave Wharton, Los Angeles Times

FoxSports Stats

WeAreSC Photo Gallery (Joe Andras)

More Rebecca Soni

Finding Her Rythymn: Swimmer Adjusts to a Heart Procedure and a New Coach

The New York Times had an article on Rebecca Soni and her heart procedure she underwent last year (link below):

Ann Johansson for The New York Times

Rebecca Soni has the second-fastest time by an American woman in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Link: New York Times Article

USC, the Country Ranks 13th in Beijing

21 Medals is 13th in Overall Medal Count


USC - What a country!

When current and former Trojans won 21 medals in Beijing, that would have ranked USC 13th in medal count, if it were a country. USC would also have tied for eighth in gold medal count.

In Beijing, the Trojans amassed 21 medals: 9 gold, 10 silver and 2 bronze. The only other Olympic games which the Trojans fared better was Los Angeles in 1984. In Los Angeles, Trojans garnered 24 medals, 10 of which were gold.




Here's how the medal count stacked up:

Gold:

Allyson Felix (4x400m women's track relay)
Gabe Gardner (men's volleyball)
Klete Keller (800m freestyle relay)
Lisa Leslie (women's basketball)
Ous Mellouli (1500m freestyle), Tunisia
Amy Rodriguez (women's soccer)
Rebecca Soni (200m breaststroke)
Tina Thompson (women's basketball)
Erik Vendt (800m freestyle relay)

Silver:

Patty Cardenas (women's water polo)
Kami Craig (women's water polo)
Nicole Davis (women's volleyball)
Allyson Felix (200m women's track)
Brittany Hayes (women's water polo)
J.W. Krumpholz (men's water polo)
Rebecca Soni (100m breaststroke)
Rebecca Soni (400m medley relay)
Moriah Van Noman (women's water polo)
Lauren Wenger (women's water polo)

Bronze:

Larsen Jensen (400m freestyle)
Natasha Danvers-Smith (400m hurdles), Great Britain

Craig, Krumpholz, Rodriguez and Soni are currently enrolled at USC.

USC sent 40 athletes to the Beijing Olympics, representing 16 countries.

21 Medals for USC in Beijing

USC Comes Away with 21 Medals, the Last is Gold

When the U.S. Men's Volleyball defeated Brazil in the gold medal match, Gabe Gardner became the last Trojan to medal. Gardner played for USC in 1996 and 1997 before transferring for his senior season.

Overall, athletes from USC fared well in Beijing, 21 total medals being higher than most countries that sent representatives to the games.

The final medal count for the top three nations stood at 110 (USA), 100 (China), 72 (Russia). If USC were a nation, it would have been 13th overall.

J.W. Krumpolz Makes 20th Medal Silver for USC

20th USC Medal at Beijing is Silver

J.W. Krumpholz made sure USC had 20 medals, and it was a silver with Team USA's Men's Water Polo. Krumpholz (a junior at USC) at 20 years of age is the youngest member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic squad.

He was the only current collegiate player on the men's water polo team. Krumpholz was a contributor on the team, scoring two goals.

From the Ottowa Times: US water polo loses gold to Hungary

Allyson Felix Wins 19th Medal and It's Gold

USC's 19th Medal is Gold by Allyson Felix

Allyson Felix became the 19th USC Olympian to collect a medal at the Beijing Olympics, winning the gold in the Women's 4x400m relay.

Felix ran the fastest leg to help Team USA win the gold medal. She finally captured a gold medal after winning the silver in the 200m at both Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008).

From the L.A. Times:

BEIJING -- Two U.S. women disappointed earlier by their individual efforts, Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards, helped the U.S. 1,600-meter relay team win a gold medal, with Richards running against Russia's Anastasia Kapachinskaya on a stirring anchor leg.

Felix, silver medalist in the 200, and Richards, bronze medalist in the 400, had come to Beijing banking on individual gold.

They teamed on the relay with Mary Wineberg and Monique Henderson.

Both Henderson and Richards were on the gold medal 1,600 relay at the 2004 Olympics.

Richards closed most of a 7-meter gap on Kapachinskaya immediately after the exchange, then fell back a few steps before passing the Russian with 30 meters to go and winning by a stride in 28/100ths of a second with a time of 3:18.54.

Richards shook the baton in joy as she crossed the line.

-- Philip Hersh

Photo: (From left to right) Sanya Richards, Monique Henderson, Allyson Felix and Mary Wineberg of the U.S. celebrate after winning the women's 1,600-meter relay at the National Stadium on Saturday at the Beijing Games. Credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Lisa Leslie's 4th Gold Medal is USA's 4th

Trojans Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson Brings Home Gold for Team USA and USC

Truly golden, Lisa Leslie helped USA women to a gold medal, while earning an unprecedented 4th gold medal herself.

From the New York Times: U.S. Women’s Basketball Breezes Past Australia to Win Gold.

Teammate and fellow Trojan alumnus, Tina Thompson was an alternate for the 2000 Olympic squad. Thompson was named to the '98 and 2002 USA World Championship teams, but injuries kept her from both competitions. She earned her first gold medal in 2004 in Greece.

Leslie and Thompson are the 17th and 18th Trojans to medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Nicole Davis' Silver is USC's 16th

USC Alumnus Earns Silver in Women's Volleyball

Nicole Davis, libero for Team USA Women's Volleyball became the 16th Trojan to earn a medal at the Beijing Olympics. While the USA fell short of the gold medal, they earned silver after losing to Brazil 1-3.

Davis was a political science major at USC. As a senior in 2003, she helped lead the Trojans to their second consecutive National Championship and an undefeated season. Davis had 1,093 total digs (3.09 digs per game average) for the Trojans.

USC Medals on a Silver Platter

Silver Medal Lady Trojans

Team USA's Women Water Polo scored a silver medal today, falling short of gold 9-8 at the hands of the Netherlands.

Five Women of Troy were significant contributors to the team's success. Current USC junior, Kami Craig and USC graduates Patty Cardenas, Moriah Van Norman, Britanny Hayes and Lauren Wenger all played for Team USA.

The current number of Trojans whom have medalled in Beijing stands at 15. That number should increase as Women's Basketball (Tina Thompson and Lisa Leslie) and Volleyball (Nicole Davis) are poised to medal.

10th Medal is Gold for USC

Rodriguez is USC's Golden Girl

Amy Rodriguez has had a magical year. After winning the NCAA championship with the Women of Troy Soccer team, Rodriguez was named to the U.S. Olympic team. In Beijing today, Rodriguez and Team USA won the gold against Brazil.

Rodriguez was instrumental to the 1-0 victory over Brazil, passing the ball to Carli Lloyd for an assist and game winner.

The young Rodriquez has a never-ening motor, running throughout the game and never running out of gas. She will return to the Trojans for her senior season this fall after the Olympics are concluded.

Another Trojan Silver

Ninth Olympic Medal for USC

Trojan Allyson Felix, brought home another silver for the Trojans and Team USA. Felix, who has not had a great year in 2008, after having a world-class 2007, was slightly disappointed in finishing second to Jamaica's Veronica Campbell Brown in consecutive Olympics.

A graduate of USC, Felix said she was disappointed to not get the gold medal, but added she was grateful for the silver.

Felix is the ninth Trojan to medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Natasha Danvers: 8th USC Medal

Danvers is Bronze

Trojan alumnus, Tasha Danvers is the eighth USC medalist at the Beijing Olympics. Running for Great Britain, Danvers took third place in the Women's 200m.

While competing for USC, Danvers won several PAC-10 conference titles and competed in several events including the high jump and the 100 m hurdles. She won the NCAA title in 2000.

After participating in the Sydney Olympics, Danvers completed her degree in Music Business. Danvers is a member of the USC Hall of Fame.

USC currently has eight medals in Beijing, and potentially many more before the conclusion of the games.

Trojan Ous Mellouli Wins Gold for Tunisia

Trojan Wins Gold in Men's 1500m Freestyle

Trojan Ous Mellouli won the gold medal for his native Tunisia in the 1500m freestyle in 14:40.84. Mellouli beat out Australian Grant Hackett who attempted to win the gold for the third time.

Fellow Trojan, Larsen Jensen placed 5th. For details click here.

Rebecca Soni, USC's gold medal winner in the women's 200m breastroke, also won a silver in the women's 4x100m medley relay.

Michael Phelps completed his quest for 8 Olympic Golds at Beijing, winning the gold in the 4x100 medley relay. Phelps collected an amazing 16 medals in two Olympics, 14 gold. In Beijing, 7 of the 8 Golds were won in world record time.

The Trojans have now garnered 7 medals in 2008. This is more than some 50 countries competing in Beijing. Stay tuned for more Trojans news from the Beijing Olympics.

USC's Soni Wins Gold!

USC Senior Rebecca Soni Brings Home the Gold

After winning the silver medal earlier in the week in the 100m breaststroke, Rebecca Soni broke through and won a gold in the 200m breaststroke. This also marks the first individual gold medal in the Beijing Olympics by a Trojan. On Thursday, Erik Vendt and Klete Keller, clinched gold medals when the Americans took first in the 4x200m freestyle team relay.

With Team USA Swimmers cheering her on, Soni set a new world record at 2:20.22, overwhelming a highly favored Leisel Jones of Australia. Soni will swim the breaststroke leg for the U.S. in the 4x100m medley relay later this week.



Read full story here.

View video:

Medal Count

USA 46
China 41
Australia 20

USC 5

The New Quarterbacks

Quarterback Mark Sanchez' recent injury (dislocated kneecap) has prompted the Trojans to look for alternatives at the quarterback position.

In the spring, the quarterback battle was primarily focussed between Sanchez and Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain.

With Sanchez out for a few weeks, but the season rapidly approaching, there is a likelihood that someone other than Sanchez may start the first game or two of the season.

See what quarterbacks have to say with a few days of practice under their belts.



Quarterback Mitch Mustain





Quarterback Aaron Corp

Quarterback Garrett Green

With quarterback Mark Sanchez' injury, the Trojans are down to two scholarship quarterbacks. Faced with this situation, Coach Pete Carroll decided to bring quarterback-turned-wide receiver, Garrett Green back to the quarterback position.

Green is best known for his touchdown pass off of a lateral in the 2008 Rosebowl. He has been the ultimate team player, doing anything asked of him.

In 2006, Green's first year with the Trojans, he came in as a back-up quarterback, but was moved to safety. In 2007 he was a back-up receiver. With the 2008 season just around the corner, he has again been asked to move, this time from the wide receiver spot to quarterback. Green has also served on special teams throughout his career at USC.

Amazing Gold Medal Trojans

Erik Vendt and Klete Keller Ensure Trojans Gold Medal Streak Continues



In a little less than a week into the 2008 Beijing games, former Trojan swimming greats Erik Vendt and Klete Keller, clinched gold medals when the Americans took first in the 4x200m freestyle relay. A Trojan has won a gold medal in every summer Olympics since 1912.

Vendt and Keller swam the final two legs of the Americans' preliminary relay Tuesday night in Beijing, helping to set an Olympic record of 7:04.66. Although both only swam in the prelims, by virtue of the U.S. win in the final, both former Trojans earned the same medals as the swimmers in the final.

It is Vendt's first Olympic gold medal after winning the silver medal in the 400m IM in both the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. It is Keller's second Olympic gold and fifth medal overall (he also has one silver and two bronze). He previously won gold as the anchor leg during the final of 4x200m free relay in 2004 when he held off Australian great Ian Thorpe at the wall.

USC's medal haul likely will increase in the coming days. Troy is represented by 41 past, present and future athletes competing in nine sports in the 2008 Beijing Games.

(Information from Trojan Athletics)

Busy Day In Sports

Michael Phelps Owns Swimming

True, the following couple entries are not Trojan. But it's American. Michael Phelps scored gold medals #4 and 5 for the Beijing Olympics. This makes him one of the most decorated athletes of all-time, with 11 golds (he won 6 in 2004 - Athens).




Gotta Love Bela Karolyi

Naturalized American (former coach of Romania and U.S. girls gymnastics), Bela Karolyi had a few sharp words for the Chinese after the American Women were bested for team gold by the host country.

In an interview with NBC's Bob Costas, Karolyi said, ""We know what a kid of 14 or 15 or 16 looks like," ... "You don't have to be a gymnastics coach to know what they look like at 16"... he also said, "These girls have passports issued by their government, so you can't do anything about that." The minimum age for women's gymnastics is 16 years, and some of the Chinese competitors look 13 or 14.

Karolyi also said, "These underaged girls should not be admitted, but that is another issue."



Medal Count

USA 27
China 24
S. Korea 12

USC's Amy Rodriguez' Assault on Gold

USC's Amy Rodriquez scored her first goal of the Beijing Olympics, scoring just before the end of the first half in a game against New Zealand. USA defeated the Kiwis 4-0 and have now qualified for the quarterfinals in Women's Soccer.

USC Scrimmage

USC held a scrimmage at the Historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this afternoon, and we have video which will be posted at a later time.

Without Mark Sanchez, Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain and Garrett Green each got to show their wares. Mustain and Corp did not make any major mistakes, save a fumble, Green threw the only touchdown pass of the day to Brandon Carswell.

Dodgertown

We were at the Dodgers' 4-3 victory over the Phillies. Philadelphia led most of the game, when Andre Ethier hit a walk-off rbi single to drive in Russell Martin in the bottom of the 9th. We'll bring you video from this game as well.

Fight On!

Trojan Rebecca Soni Silvers

The Trojans, still without a gold medal for the 200 Olympics, added a silver medal, when Rebecca Soni placed second in the 100m breastroke.

On a day when Team USA Swimmers made their mark on the Olympic record books, Soni brought home the silver medal. Soni will be favored in the 200m and may compete in the 4 x 100m medley relay.

Soni joins Alumnus Larsen Jensen as Trojans who have medalled in Beijing. Jensen captured the Bronze Medal in the 400m individual medley.

USC Olympians have garnered at least one gold medal in every summer Olympics since 1912.

Team USA Swimmers on a Roll

The USA assaulted the Swim Finals, garnering medals in the following:

Women's 100m breastroke (Rebecca Soni - Silver)
Men's 200m freestyle (Michael Phelps - Gold, Peter Vanderkaay - Bronze)
Women's 100m backstroke (Natalie Coughlin - Gold, Margaret Hoelzer - Bronze)
Men's 100m backstroke (Aaron Piersol - Gold, Matt Grevers - Silver)

Other medals

Men's Team Gymnastics (Artistic) - Bronze

Medal Standings

The USA currently has 20 total medals, #1, but trails China 10-6 in gold medal count

Olympic Notes: Womens Water Polo

Trojan Kami Craig helped the USA Women to a 12-11 win over the upstart Chinese team. The Chinese are an up-and-coming program, with all players under the age of 21, participating in their first Olympics.

Craig, who was added to the USA roster, turned the hat trick, scoring 3 goals, including the game-winner.

The USA is the defending world champions and are slightly favored to take home the gold medal.

Sunday Evening Practice Notes

The Trojans practiced for the first time Sunday evening in pads. Practice at Howard Jones-Brian Kennedy Field began at 7:30 p.m. under the lights. To help bolster the quarterback corps, Garrett Green took snaps under center.


Notes from the football field (from Jake)

Getting to practice at around 7:30, the line to get in is HUGE. There had to be over 1,000 people in attendance. Stafon Johnson, Travon Patterson, Joe McKnight, Brandon Carswell, T.J. Bryant, Damian Williams, and Brian Baucham all take turns fielding punts. Looks to be some open competition at the punt return position.

Miscellaneous Notes



Brice Butler, Tyron Smith, Luther Brown, Jeff Byers, and Mark Sanchez are sitting out. Sanchez drove a golf cart all night, having fun on the football field.

The field was over crowded - little girl is walking and all of a sudden Clay Matthews comes sprinting by and made a leaping effort to avoid hitting her.

After a few practices, the running back order appears to be: CJ Gable, Stafon Johnson, Joe McKnight, and Allen Bradford.

7 on 7 standout plays

Mustain had a nice pass to Vidal Hazelton who got hit hard by Kevin Ellson.

Patrick Turner got sandwiched on a slant but held on.

Ronald Johnson dropped a nice pass from Aaron Corp.

D.J. Shoemate made good on a slant from Corp that took 4 guys tackling to take him down.

11 on 11 standout plays

-Stafon Johnson with some nice jukes for a long run and truck sticks the defender. He gets up, pumped up, yelling in excitement.

-Joe McKnight with some very nice juke moves for a long run up the middle.

-Corp connects with Patrick Turner on a 15-20 yard TD catch where Turner is covered by a defender and still manages to catch the ball.

-Gable bursts out with a long run but is tackled from behind.

-Garrett Green to Shoemate for a nice 20 yard catch and run. Shoemate looks really powerful, running over defenders. He also catches another pass back to back.

-Vidal Hazelton with a nice catch & run from Mustain with a few spins ala the Notre Dame game last year.

-Turner drops an easy pass. Shades of last year...

-Green connects on a nice lob pass to Jordan Cameron.



Scrimmage Drives

Drive 1 - Corp - touchdown to Turner
Drive 2 - Mustain - FG
Drive 3 - Green - FG
Drive 4 - Mustain - FG
Drive 5 - Corp - FG (54 yarder by Buehler...could have gone 60!)
Drive 6 - Green - Receiver trips in the endzone, Omari Crittenden picked off the pass to end scrimmage and send the defensive players off in a frenzy.

Practice ended at 10:oo pm.

Meanwhile, Across Town

UCLA already lost quarterback Pat Cowen for the year. Today, quarterback Ben Olson went down with a broken leg that will keep him sidelined for some two months.

With a lack of an offensive line and down two quarterbacks, things look quite dim over in Westwood. Last week, Fox Sports' Petros Papadakis predicted a 5-7 year for the Bruins. Is 4-8 more realistic? They also have a tough schedule, starting the season against Tennessee, at BYU, Arizona, Fresno State, followed by a tough PAC-10 schedule.

With trouble in Westwood and South Bend, all is well in the Land of Troy.

Trojan wins Bronze

Trojan Medals in the 2008 Olympics

USC graduate Larsen Jensen became the first Trojan to bring in a medal in Beijing. Jensen captured the Bronze Medal in the 400m individual medley.


Trojan senior Rebecca Soni is scheduled to compete in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke. She may also compete in the 4 x 100m medley relay.

In case you missed it: Trojans in the Olympics

Trojans Unequalled in Olympic Success
Rebecca Soni Qualifies		By Clay de Leon Since 1904, USC has sent 362 participants to the Olympics. Of those 362, 51 countries have been represented. Trojan success in the Olympics is unsurpassed in the collegiate ranks. USC has sent more athletes to the Olympic Games than any other university. If USC were a country, it would rank 12th in Gold Medal count and 19th in total Olympic Medals.
Trojans Unequalled in Olympic Success Troy Gears Up for 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics The 2008 Olympic Games will commence in Beijing, China on August 8. The world will watch in anticipation, rooting for their country’s athletes. As the Summer Olympics of 2008 draws near, the anticipation grows. USC: What a Country! There is another entity that sends athletes to the Olympics, not a country, but a university. Since 1904, USC has sent 362 participants to the Olympics. Of those 362, 51 countries have been represented. Trojan success in the Olympics is unsurpassed in the collegiate ranks. USC has sent more athletes to the Olympic Games than any other university. If USC were a country, it would rank 12th in Gold Medal count and 19th in total Olympic Medals. These Olympians have competed in twenty-five sports. The majority participated in swimming (135) and track & field (119). USC Olympians have medalled in every Olympics since 1904. USC Olympians have garnered at least one gold medal in every summer Olympics since 1912, The total medal count for USC Olympians is 236, including 112 gold, 66 silver and 58 bronze. Former Trojans have been inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of fame. These include: Janet Evans and John Naber (swimming), Sammy Lee (diving), Parry O’Brien and Frank Wykoff (track). In Trojan gear, Larsen Jensen celebrates 1st place finish in 400-meter freestyle victory at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) 2004 Athens Success In 2004, USC athletes won 17 medals-8 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze at the Athens Olympics. If USC athletes had competed as a country, they would have tied for 16th in the overall medal standings in the Athens Games. The majority of USC's gold medal haul came in swimming, with 5 victorious Trojans competing for the United States: Lindsay Benko, Rhi Jeffrey and Kaitlin Sandeno, Klete Keller and Lenny Krayzelburg. Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson helped lead the U.S. to gold in women's basketball, while Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic won the gold in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles. Sandeno also won a silver medal. Other silver medalists were: Benko, Larsen Jensen and Erik Vendt. Allyson Felix won a bronze medal for the U.S. track squad. USC's other bronze medal winners were Keller and Gabe Woodward for the U.S. and Blythe Harley of Canada. In all, 34 athletes with a USC affiliation competed in Athens. What’s in Store for 2008 As the 2008 Olympics approaches, we anticipate more medals for USC, the country. The list of Olympic qualifiers grows daily. The largest contingent of hopefuls is in the swimming. The following outlines some of the qualifiers to date. Swimming USC swimming is making a mark on the assault of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Recent USC graduate Larsen Jensen, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the 1500-meter freestyle, locked up a spot to race in the event again at the Beijing Games when he finished second in the race on the final day of the 2008 U.S. Olympic trials. He also qualified for the 400-meter freestyle. Jensen owns the American record in the 400m, 800m and 1500m free. Former Trojan Erik Vendt will be on the 4x200m free relay team. Donning a Trojan cap and ahead of the field, USC's Rebecca Soni qualifies for the 200-meter breaststroke. (AP Photo/J. David Ake) Other Trojans on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Swimming team are senior Rebecca Soni, who won the 200m breaststroke, former Trojan Klete Keller, who qualified in the 4x200m free relay, and Mark Warkentin, who will swim in the open water 10K. Trojan senior Ankur Poseria qualified for the Olympics for his native India, while former Trojan swimmer Tamas Kerekjarto has done the same for his native Hungary. Finally, Ous Mellouli qualified for Tunisia. Track and Field USC alum Jesse Williams jumped 7 feet 6 1/2 inches to win the men's high jump at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. Jessie Williams after clearing the bar to win the men's high jump finals at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, July 5, 2008. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Women’s Soccer USC senior soccer player Amy Rodriguez will be the first Trojan represented on the Women’s Soccer team. Rodriguez was a participant in USC Women’s national championship team in the fall. The United States is ranked No. 1 in the world and has medaled in all three Olympic Games in which women's soccer was added. Women’s Waterpolo Trojans Moriah van Norman, Lauren Wenger, Patty Cardenas, Brittany Hayes and Kami Craig will represent the U.S. in women’s waterpolo. Men’s Waterpolo On the men's side, USC sends J.W. Krumpholz to the Olympics, its first representative since 2000. SCPlaybook will continue to bring you coverage and updates of the USC Olympic hopefuls for 2008.

Sanchez Update

Official word on Mark Sanchez:

He dislocated his left kneecap during prepractice warmups.


Update on USC quarterback Mark Sanchez's practice injury (8-8-08):

Sanchez dislocated his left kneecap during pre-practice warmups today.

" It was a clean dislocation, with no complications (no ligament, cartilage or bone damage). His knee will be immobilized over the weekend and he will start rehab on Monday. He will be listed as day-to-day as of Monday."

Pete Carroll:

"Mark dislocated his kneecap. They put it back in (on the field). There are no other complications. It's a day-to-day deal. We'll wait and see. He's real encouraged and the doctors are, too. It will be immobilized over the weekend, then he'll start rehab on Monday. It's day-to-day and we'll see how it responds.

"On the other side of this, it's an extraordinary opportunity for the other quarterbacks to jump in and fight for the job.

"Before practice, Mark was throwing and came down on the side of his foot. We'll have to wait and see. As is always the case in situations like these, this is an extraordinary opportunity for the other quarterbacks. We're so lucky to have guys like Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp to jump in until Mark gets back.

"How we handle it and how we deal with it is what's important. Those guys jumped in today at practice and took the team down the field. Both of them are championship kids.

"The concern we have now is that we only have 2 quarterbacks. Who's going to be number 3 as insurance is the question. Somebody like (quarterback-turned-wideout) Garrett Green might get some work there now.

“Mark’s encouraged, he’s smiling and he knows he’s going to be alright.”

Mark Sanchez:

"It's a dislocated kneecap. I landed awkwardly when throwing. It's pretty clean. Nothing torn and no cartilage problems. It's the best case scenario. I'll start rehabbing on Monday and be back as soon as possible.

"I feel good about the other guys being able to fill in. It'll be a seamless transition. They'll do well.

"It was scary, frightening at first. The way they say these things happen, it could be a lot worse. It just hurt a lot when it happened, but it feels better now. It's day-to-day starting Monday. I have heard about people who come back from this in a short period of time and others in a long period. I'm hoping mine is short.

"I'm hoping to be back for the opener. I'll work to get back before that. I'll get back the fastest way possible.

"As soon as they said it wasn't an ACL or MCL, it was a relief. It's a little frustrating to have this happen, but it'll make me work hard."

Mark Sanchez Injured

Mark Sanchez was helped off the field during drills at the beginning of practice today. Possible knee injury. More news to follow.

Trojan Fall Camp Day 2: Mark Sanchez

Day 2 of Trojan Football practice and I'm sharing a few fun things.
Ever wonder what it's like driving to practice? My driver, Mario Andretti takes me on a trip to the USC campus.



Getting to campus can be an adventure

And once you do get there, the first ones on the field and the last ones off, are the Student Managers. Here's my nephew, Matt Burkhard. He and his twin brother, Garth are seniors at USC this fall.




My nephew: Matthew "Matty" Burkhard

Met up with some WeAreSC.com website posters...

One of the more enjoyable moments of any football practice is meeting up with old friends. Here's a long-time website poster, "FiteOn" his handle obviously chosen for 'Fight On!'



Fight On, Fiteon!

Fiteon said he liked my article on Rey Maualuga I authored on the SCPlaybook.com website, entitled Rey Maualuga's Decision to Return to USC.

Long time USC afficionado, 'USC Oldtimer' had a few words to say about Web Master Bob's idea to sabotage me on the football field.



Loyal USC Trojan, USC Oldtimer


When all was said and done, I caught up with USC Quarterback Mark Sanchez. He is starting to sound like a starting quarterback more and more each day. Sanchez will be a redshirt junior in 2008, his first season at the helm of the Trojan powerhouse team.



USC Quarterback Mark Sanchez

Practice Time Changed

Today's practice, originally scheduled for 3:00 p.m. has been moved to 4:30.

In the mean time, here's a video from the last unofficial passing practice I attended.




Mark Sanchez getting the team ready for football.


For those that didn't get the Fall Practice Schedule, here it is:

Aug. 5—players report

Aug. 6—practice at 5:30 p.m.

Aug. 7-8-9—practices at 3 p.m.

Aug. 10—practice at 7:30 p.m. (first day of pads)

Aug. 11-13-15-17-20—practices at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Aug. 12-14-16-18-19—practices at 4 p.m. (practice on 12th will be a scrimmage in the Coliseum, on 16th a scrimmage on Howard Jones Field)

Aug. 21—free open-to-the-public scrimmage in Coliseum at 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 22—practice at 3:30 p.m., followed by Salute to Troy fan kickoff banquet on campus

Aug. 23—practice at 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 24—no practice

Aug. 25-26-27—week-of-game practices at 4 p.m. (classes start on 25th)

Aug. 28—week-of-game practice in morning, then travel to Virginia


Nephew managing the football team

My nephew, Matthew Burkhard rose quickly in the student manager ranks at USC. This year, he is the ranking equipment manager. USC gave him a full-ride scholarship for the deal. Fight On, Matt! The family's proud of you!




Mahalo, Aloha and Fight On!









Matt Burkhard Student Manager

Welcome! First Day of Football Practice

Welcome to Trojan Football Rules

We will bring you exciting news and updates from the land of Troy. The University of Southern California 2008 Football team looks to bring yet another mythical National Championship to Los Angeles.

I will update this daily with news and groovy happenings from Howard Jones Field and the football program.

Welcome and Fight On!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008



Today was the first day of practice for the Trojan Football team and from the get go, Mark Sanchez looks like he is ready to take control of this team.

Freshmen that performed well: TE Blake Ayles, CB T.J. Bryant WR Brice Butler and LB Uona Kaveinga.

New face in the crowd: Transfer WR Jordan Cameron performed well on his first day.

Tweak of the day: Joe McKnight hobbled off the field, saying he tweaked both ankles.

Surprise Quarterback: A new mystery walk-on, #19 suited up as a quarterback.

Celebrity Quote of the day: Trojan great, Anthony Davis, "You can talk to me, I'm not like these new players with attitude, I'm 'Old School,' man!"

Coach Carroll quote of the day: "They (players) will have to match me, I'm so pumped up."

It was nice to be on campus again and the anticipation of football season has Howard Jones Field buzzing with excitement.

Thursday practice time at Howard Jones field: 3:00pm.

Lono's pick for 2008: Trojans will win the national championship once again.

Photos courtesy of Jaime Rodriguez, ValleyTrojan.com