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Trojans makes it 5 in a row

October 11, 2008

Game Report Posted: November 03, 2008 00:07  


Oct. 11, 2008 | Article written by Drlw322

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Maualuga lays a lick on Herring

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Los Angeles, CA -
Trojans came into this week as the #2 rank team in the AP coaches poll and #1 team in all media polls. Trojans preparing to make a bid at this years national title game looked strong against the Arizona St. Sun Devils going into the 1st week of BCS polls next week. ASU proved they were not match for the Trojans by losing 59-20


"We try not to look at the polls. We know all that poll stuff doesn't matter if we don't take care of business now. That has been our mentality since I have been at SC." - Brian Cushing.


The Trojans came out a bit sluggish on both sides of the ball and gave confidence to a Rudy Carpenter less team. Carpenter is sideline by a broken rib and was said to be a game time decision. Carpenter did not end up playing but back-up Danny Sullivan filled in nicely given the circumstances.


USC was not able to take advantage of good field position on their 1st possession and ended up with a 36 yards FG. Sun Devils fired back with a 51 yards FG on the next drive to tie the game at 3. It was a back and forth contest into the late 1st half with 1:57 to go, ASU's Mike Jones scored on a 2 yard run making the game 17-13 lead by USC. That seemed to woke the sleeping giant up as they went on a 42-0 scoring run and the Sun Devils could do nothing about it.


The scoring run was highlighted by a 55 yards Mark Sanchez pass to Patrick Turner. Turner took a medium length to the house by breaking all kinds of tackles. That made the game 45-13 Trojans.


Mark Sanchez threw 3 TD passes during that span and finished the game with 5 TDs to 1 interception. That makes his season total to 12 TD passes. Senior Josh Pinkard had a awesome 77 YDs interception return to seal the game. Sure to be seen on ESPN top plays of the year.


"It's great to finally feel healthy and be able to contribute on the field. This help all my hours of rehab feels worth it." - Josh Pinkard


Next Game -

Trojans travels to Pullman next to face the (2-4)Washington St. Cougars. USC needs to be careful and not let down in this game. The Cougars played SC tight last season.


Recruiting Notes -

8/30 Trojans lands 5 star offensive lineman Kevin Graf out of CA. Consider to be one of the best lineman from this years prep class. Graf is a athletic 6'5" 301 pounds that is very mobile, resembling Jeff Byers. He is able to get out and pull from a offensive guard position and have great feet during pass protection.


8/30 5 star WR Patrick Hall (6 ft, 181 Ibs) committed to USC over the weekend. Hall caught 87 passes for 1243yds and 12 TD. Hall has 4.44 speed and run great routes. A fair comparison would be Steve Smith. If he has anywhere of a career like Smith did at SC, it would be a great treat for SC fans.


9/17 #1 5 star DE Donny Grigsby from Friendswood, TX committed to USC this past week. Grigsby is a very athletic DE at 6-5, 262 pounds. He lead his team to the semi-finals of the Texas state playoff last year. Grigsby recorded 18 sacks and 80 tackles last year as a Junior.


Trojans back to championship form

October 4, 2008

Game Report Posted: September 18, 2008 20:57  


Wideout Damian Williams tip toes the sideline after a nice catch

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Los Angeles, (AP)

USC returned home last week with a win 23-6 win against the Oregon St. Beavers. Most teams are happy with a victory in a all so competitive world of College Football, but not the Trojans. Throughout practice this week, all the men of Troy on the offensive side of the ball kept expressing how disappointed they were with their performance. After an impressive victory over #3 ranked Ohio St. The Trojans only managed to score 1 offensive TD against the less than stellar Oregon St. defense.


"We have to get focus and give the defense some rest. As good as they are, we need to give them a hand."- Mark Sanchez


Sanchez's words seemed to have inspired the Trojans last night, as the offense for the Trojans came to impress without the services of Joe McKnight.


The Men of Troy racked up 422 yds of total offense and managed 6 offensive TDs. The Trojans ran the ball effectively as they 1 yd short of the 200 yd rushing mark for the game. The offensive line only allowed 2 sacks as oppose to the 7 sacks they allowed to the Beavers the previous week.


USC showed some big play ability as Stafon Johnson came up with a hugh 45 yd run for a TD early in the game to set the tone. Sanchez almost delivered a beautiful 34 yd pass to the sideline to Arkansas transfer Damian Williams who extended his out stretched arm for the nice grab.


It looks like Sanchez have found a consistent go to guy in Damian Williams. Sanchez and Williams looked very comfortable with each other especially on their timing routes. Damian finished the game with a team leading 6 rec, 77 yds and 1 TD. Williams is currently leading the Trojans with 15 receptions.


Stafon Johnson had a hell of a game also as he carried the ball 10 times and rushed for 112 yds for 2 TD.


The game started off pretty entertaining as the Trojans and the Ducks went back and forth during the first 4 possessions. Trojans opened with 7 yd Sanchez pass to Stanley Havili and the Ducks answered with a long drive of their own and concluded with a 9 yd pass from J. Masoli (Roper injured after being hit by Taylor Mays) to J. Williams. Trojans then answered with a 45 yd TD run from Stafon Johnson, and the Ducks came back with a TD pass from J. Masoli once again making the score 14-14 at the end of the 1st QTR.


Trojans then dominated the 2nd QTR with 24 unanswered points highlighted by Taylor Mays' 31 yd int return for TD. The Trojans went up 38-14 and never looked back.


The Trojans' defense was not as dominate as you would hope giving up 20 pts. But they were making some big plays out there. The 20 pts scored by the Ducks marked the highest total any teams have put on the Trojan defense this year, not too bad. Kevin Ellison led the way with 11 tackles and 2 for loss. Taylor Mays scored a defensive TD 2 weeks in a row, making that 3 for the year. He is most likely a front runner for the Jim Thorpe Award (given to top DB) at they point.


"We did a better job protecting our QB this week. When we give him time he can make all the throws. We'll continue to improve as we go we're still young"- Butch Lewis


Next Game


Trojans stays at home to face the Sun Devils (3-2). ASU have always played the Trojans pretty well and with another year of improvement under Dennis Erickson and QB Rudy Carpenter, The Trojans will need to bring their A game as they are trying to avoid an upset like the previous 2 years.


Notable Mention


Brian Cushing had 8 tackles, 2 for loss and a int. Cushing played a very solid game as he played great pass defese.


Big game hang over

September 27, 2008

Game Report Posted: September 18, 2008 20:54  


Taylor Mays comes in hard for the tackle

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Los Angeles, (AP)

USC coming off a big win over then #3 Ohio State Buckeyes suffered a hang over game yesterday. Trojans struggled against a not so very talented Oregon St Beaver team, reminding us that the Trojans have lost some games against some less then stellar teams the last 2 seasons.


The men of Troy only managed 264 yds of offense to Oregon St's 279 yds of offense. Along with that the offensive line struggled, giving up 7 sacks and picked up QB Mark Sanchez off the ground all day. The offensive line showed that they are still young and that they still need to mature.


The bright spot of this game was Trojans defense, as they continued to impress. The defense only gave up 12 rushing yards as they also sacked the QB 4 times. Most of the Beavers 267 yds passing came late in the game as they attempted to catch the Trojans on the scoreboard.


Trojans only managed 1 offensive TD (1 yd run Marc Tyler) going into the 4th QTR. The Beavers sustained a long drive and scored on a 6 yd run by R. McCants making the score 16-6 after a failed 2 pt attempt.


Trojans then gave up the ball, going 3 and out the next drive and kept Oregon St's hopes alive. The Beavers were marching down the field with 3:18 left on the play clock, when Rey Maualuga striped the ball out of Beaver's RB R. McCants' hands. Taylor Mays scooped the ball up and ran 54 yds the other way for the Trojans making the game 23-6, putting the game out of reach.


One bright spot for the Trojans was Marc Tyler, the young redshirt freshmen showed some good running skill in the 2nd QTR as he was given the opportunity carry the ball. Tyler carried the ball 7 times for 34 yds and a tough 1 yd TD run.


"Our O-Line had a tough time today, and we have to go back and look at the tapes. They're young and they still have lots to learn. Our defense stepped up for us big time and i expected that from our seniors, Rey came up with a big play for us at the end"- Pete Carroll


The Buckeyes suffered a big lost in the 2nd QTR as their star offensive player Beanie Wells suffered a possible dislocated shoulder after being tackled by Trojan MLB Rey Maualuga. The Buckeyes Offense sparrow downward from that point on.


"We'll be okay, we'll come out and ready to play next week. We'll learn from this"- Mark Sanchez


Trojans survived a hang over after an impressive victory against a the Buckeyes. Bottom line right now is they are still undefeated and still the front runner for the BCS title game.


Next Game


Trojans returns home to face Oregon Ducks against a always dangerous spread offense. RB Stafon Johnson will have a showdown with highschool teammate, RB for the Ducks Jeremiah Johnson. Both went to Dorsey Highschool in Los Angeles CA.


Notable Mention


Kevin Ellison was honored as the PAC-10 defensive player of the week with 8 tacks and 2 ints.


No McKnight, No Problem !!

September 14, 2008

Game Report Posted: September 10, 2008 19:44  


Rey Maualuga celebrate after teammate Kyle Moore caused a safety

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Los Angeles, (AP)

In a much anticipated match-up between the #3 Ohio State Buckeyes and #4 USC Trojans, it did not turn out to be that way.


One of the top story coming in to this week's game was the status of Trojans' RB Joe McKnight and Buckeye's MLB James Laurinaitis.


McKnight was hurt this past week at practice colliding with teammate Brian Cushing, that resulted to the Trojan RB being out 3-4 weeks with a broken collarbone.


Laurinaitis dislocated his hip last week as he made a tackle in their last weeks game against the Ohio Bobcats. Laurinaitis is out for the season and have his NFL career in doubt.


With the lost of these two stars of their own perspective team, the Buckeyes seemed to have suffered a more severe blow this past Saturday.


Trojans QB Mark Sanchez was able to manage the game in spectacular fashion as Laurinaitis stood on the sideline and watched helplessly. Sanchez completed 21-30 passes, 244yds, and 1 TD. Whats more impressive was the fact that he did not throw a single interception against perhaps the best secondary in the nation.


"Mark played orchestrated this game for us beautifully, we came in with a game plan for him to be efficient and executed that game plan without a hitch."- Pete Carroll


The Buckeyes suffered a big lost in the 2nd QTR as their star offensive player Beanie Wells suffered a possible dislocated shoulder after being tackled by Trojan MLB Rey Maualuga. The Buckeyes Offense sparrow downward from that point on.


The Buckeyes couldn't move the ball on USC's defense as they only manage 1 redzone appearance the whole game. That came late in the 4th QTR resulting in Buckeyes only score (TD pass from T. Boeckman to B. Robiskie).


The highly heralded SC defense game up only 25yds on 25 rush att, and 170 passing yds. Buckeyes were als intercepted twice by USC's defense with Taylor Mays picking 1 off early in the 1st QTR. Mays ran the pick back 63yds for Trojans 2nd TD, making the game 14-0.


Senior DE Kyle Moore had one of his biggest game in his career by sacking OSU's quarterbacks 3 times, forcing 1 safety and 1 fumble.


With McKnight's injury, HB C.J. Gable got the opportunity to step into the spot light and get most of McKnight's carries. Gable proved to be a star under pressure on the biggest stage in college football.


Gable carried the ball 17 times and produced 110yds, with a 56yd TD run on his 1st carry of the game.


"Man my 1st carry, I just saw Rhett and Charles open a big gap for me and it was clear daylight. I couldn't miss out on that."- C.J. Gable


This game was never in doubt for the Trojans and helped build their confidence towards a possible 3rd National Champion in this decade. (Although Pete Carroll will never admit to it)


As on the other side of the coin, Ohio State will now go back to Columbus and do some soul searching as to what happened. Buckeyes will try to shake off the stigma of not being able to win the big one


"We will go back to Columbus and get back to work. We gonna take care of business in conference play."- Jim Tressel



Next Game

Trojans heads to Oregon St. to began conference play against the Beavers. The Trojans lost to the Beavers 2 years ago in a stunning upset. Hopefully the Trojans won't have a let down after this hugh victory.


Doubt No More

September 1, 2008

Game Report Posted: September 07, 2008 21:36  


The Virginia crowd quiets as Hazelton score on a 62 yd TD.

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Los Angeles, (AP)

The Trojans opened the 2008-09 season with a bang against the Virginia Cavaliers in hot and humid Virginia. Trojans entered this season with question marks. Many wonder how long would the defense would have to carry this offense before they start clicking on all cylinder or would they at all? Will Mark Sanchez be able to handle the pressure as the next great USC QB? Who will emerge as the go to tailback in a crowded back field? Will the SC receivers finally live up to the hype? Well wonder no more as the Trojans met their 1st test of the season and passes with flying colors with a 80-10 drumming of the Virginia Cavaliers

The Trojans came out on fire scoring 35 unanswered points. Trojans sustained 3 long drives that totaled over 300yds of offense in the 1st half. Joe McKnight struck 1st with a 13yd run at the end of a 72yds drive 39 seconds into the 1st QTR. Cary Harris followed up with a int as he picked off Virginia QB P. Lalich and returned the int for 86yds for a TD. The int return marks a the longest return TD in SC history. Sanchez then went to work connecting with Anthony McCoy for a 16yds TD pass. The tight end for SC filled in nicely for Fred Davis now with the Washington Redskins. McCoy and Rhett Ellison combined for 6 rec and 65yds with 2 TDs. The backfield is still a committee at work with no clear cut favorite to be the star. But that might not be a big thing as it creates competition and those tail backs fight for everyone carry they get. The backfield combined for 152yds rushing and 5 TDs, highlighted by C.J. Gables 40yds TD run. Sanchez prove to be the high school All American that we all loved and knew out of Mission Viejo High School. He Completed 17-21 passes for 286yds, 4 TDs and 1 int. Vidal Hazelton came up 2 hugh plays of 60, and 62yds for TDs proving the WRs are ready to step up this year. Patrick Turner had himself a nice day also with 4 catches for 97yds. The Trojans defense was nothing but dominate. They allowed only 259yds of offense from the Cavs and held the two dynamic backs (Peerman & Simpson) from Virginia to 88yds on 34 carries. The defense also forced 3 fumbles and scored two TD off turnovers. With Virginia's only TD coming from a Joe McKnight fumble, the defense gave up only 3 pts from a FG.

Next Game

Trojans head back home to face the #3 Ohio State Buckeyes, in one of the most anticipated match up of the season. Winner of this one might be the front runner to the National Championship game.

Recruiting Notes

Trojans lands 5 star offensive lineman Kevin Graf out of CA. Consider to be one of the best lineman from this years prep class. Graf is a athletic 6'5" 301 pounds that is very mobile, resembling Jeff Byers. He is able to get out and pull from a offensive guard position and have great feet during pass protection.

5 star WR Patrick Hall(6 ft, 181 Ibs) committed to USC over the weekend. Hall caught 87 passes for 1243yds and 12 TD. Hall has 4.44 speed and run great routes. A fair comparison would be Steve Smith. If he has anywhere of a career like Smith did at SC, it would be a great treat for SC fans.

Passing
Nameplayer_nameCOMPcompATTattYARDSydsTDtdINTints
Sanchez Mark1111551488175
Rushing
Nameplayer_nameATTattYDSydsTDtdLONGlong_runFUMBfumb
Gable C.J.884985560
Receiving
Nameplayer_nameRECrecYDSydsTDtdLONGlong_recDROPSdrops
Turner Patrick183534554
Defensive
Nameplayer_nameTKLStacklesSCKSsacksINTintsFFffDef TDdef_td
Mays Taylor520525
Preseason Coaches Poll
RNKTeam
1Georgia Bulldogs
2Oklahoma Sooners
3Ohio State Buckeyes
4USC Trojans
5Florida Gators
6LSU Tigers
7Missouri Tigers
8West Virginia Mountaineers
9Wisconsin Badgers
10Texas Longhorns
11Clemson Tigers
12Texas Tech Red Raiders
13Penn State Nittany Lions
14Arizona State Sun Devils
15Kansas Jayhawks
16Auburn Tigers
17Virginia Tech Hokies
18Illinois Fighting Illini
19Tennessee Volunteers
20Brigham Young Cougars
21South Carolina Gamecocks
22Alabama Crimson Tide
23Oregon Ducks
24Cincinnati Bearcats
25Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Preseason Media Poll
RNKTeam
1Georgia Bulldogs
2Oklahoma Sooners
3Ohio State Buckeyes
4USC Trojans
5Florida Gators
6LSU Tigers
7Missouri Tigers
8West Virginia Mountaineers
9Wisconsin Badgers
10Texas Longhorns
11Clemson Tigers
12Texas Tech Red Raiders
13Penn State Nittany Lions
14Arizona State Sun Devils
15Kansas Jayhawks
16Auburn Tigers
17Virginia Tech Hokies
18Illinois Fighting Illini
19Tennessee Volunteers
20Brigham Young Cougars
21South Carolina Gamecocks
22Alabama Crimson Tide
23Oregon Ducks
24Cincinnati Bearcats
25Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Final Coaches Poll
RNKTeam
No Final Coaches Poll has been set.
Final Media Poll
RNKTeam
No Final Media Poll has been set.
Final BCS Poll
RNKTeam
No Final BCS Poll has been set.
Pac-10 Conference Standings
RNKSchoolRecordConf RecordPFPA
1 USC 6-0 4-0 330 76
2 California 5-1 3-0 170 136
3 Washington 3-3 3-1 146 159
4 Stanford 4-4 3-2 233 256
5 UCLA 2-5 2-2 173 202
6 Arizona State 3-3 1-2 162 179
7 Arizona 2-5 1-3 175 221
8 Oregon 3-4 1-3 199 215
9 Oregon State 1-6 1-3 149 225
10 Washington State 2-5 1-4 168 220

Offensive Team Captain

QB - Mark Sanchez

Defensive Team Captain

LOLB - Brian Cushing

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