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TROJANS CAN SMELL THE ROSES 28-7

From ESPN.COM

Mark Sanchez passed for 269 yards and two touchdowns, USC's hard-hitting defense stuffed UCLA at every turn, and the fifth-ranked Trojans won 28-7 Saturday to give them nine victories in the last 10 games between the crosstown rivals. More...

Fast Facts

• Following an eight-game losing streak in the series, the Trojans take home the Victory Bell for the eighth time in the last nine years.

•  USC clinched its seventh straight 11-win season while handing crosstown rival UCLA its first eight-loss season since 1963.

• The Trojans defense gave up a total of 93 points in 12 regular-season games. The 7.8 points per game average is the lowest since 1988 Auburn (7.2).

•  USC has outscored opponents 342-56 during its nine-game winning streak and will become just the third team to appear in four straight Rose Bowls.

-- ESPN research

EAR CANDY

Locker room was in a good mood. Nobody seemed disappointed with the thought of playing in another Rose Bowl game. Most of the players I spoke with are looking forward to playing Penn State because of their storied tradition. Should be a fun New Years.

* Brian Cushing is looking forward the Rose Bowl, Fili Moala said the defense wanted to show it's dominance and Patrick Turner realizing he's going to his 4th Rose Bowl said it's "wow, crazy".

Download Cush, Fili, PT

* Mark Sanchez thought that wearing the cardinal jersey's added to the rivalry, said he felt like he was on top of the world when he lead the Trojan Marching Band after the game, called the defense the backbone of the team and didn't want to leave the game when he had a bloody chin.

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* Clay Matthews wanted to hold the Bruins to zero points and likes the tradition with Penn State. Rey Maualuga said after giving up the first td, the defense got together and decided not to allow any more points. Going to the Rose Bowl means a lot for Rey, but he wants the Trojans get their respect from the voters, while Stafon Johnson is looking forward to Penn State in Pasadena.

 Download USC LOCKER ROOM 120608 (2)

 

 

 

Fox: Wednesday Practice

The Trojans practiced for just under 2 hours. It was a very cool night. During the early part of practice they had the music pumping through the speakers they had set up which they used later to pump in crowd noise. 

Once they split into offense and defense the offense ran quite a few plays down on the goal line, they used a variety of plays both running and passing. On the defensive end of the field it appeared to be business as usual, they were all flying to the ball and hitting like it was gameday.

The end of practice came after some punts and about 3 or 4 field goal attempts for Beuhler. I believe he made all but one which came up short which is rare for him as he has such a strong leg.

There was lots of talk about the Jerseys and of course the importance of the UCLA rivalry game. All the players and coaches truly feel this is the most special game of the year. 

pefo

SANCHEZ HOME HAS A BRUIN FAN

That's what QB Mark Sanchez said after Tuesday's practice when asked about the rivalry. Just another sign that this game splits families, friends and offices.

"...never had a team growing up, older brother Nick went to SC law school, middle brother Brandon been a UCLA fan all his life, it's a rivalry in the house...it's fun"
Download Mark on rivalry

TUESDAY PRACTICE

Last week of regular season practice, and judging from the intensity you can tell it's UCLA week. Every pass, every route and every hit is carried out with precision and the 2008 Trojans look ready for the Bruins.

EAR CANDY

* DT Fili Moala knows that it's going to be a tough game Saturday, says he can smell blood in the water because of the Bruins injured o-line and with it being his last Pac-10 game, he has to go out with a bang.
Download FILI

* LB Rey Maualuga says because of the 13-9 loss two years ago, the Trojans have to work harder and thinks that the home jerseys will bring the team luck.
Download Rey

* S Taylor Mays grew up in Seattle and wasn't too familiar with the rivalry, but now that this will be his third game is happy to see both teams wearing their home jerseys.
Download Taylor

NOTES

RB Stafon Johnson did not practice because of a thigh bruise. He said he would return Wednesday.

FB Stanley Havili and S Kevin Ellison also sat out.

IF YOU WANT TO BE A CHAMPION YOU HAVE TO BEAT A TEAM LIKE USC - CHARLIE WEIS

That's what Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis said he told his Irish after USC dominated his squad 38-3.
Download Weis usc

Weis also added that the discrepancy between the programs is just wide.
Download Weis 1

The numbers were impressive by the Trojan defense.

Didn't allow a first down until the last play of the 3rd quarter, held QB Jimmy Clausen to 41 passing yards and sacked him 4 times. Clausen called the SC defense the best he's seen this season.
Download Clausen

Now the fun stuff with the limbo position of the Iris head coach.

Weis on the rumors he might be out - "I'm the coach..."Asked if he's concerned he might be out - "no"

The AD Jack Swarbrick wouldn't get into how a buyout would work, and said that no coach at the university has a guaranteed contract.

Download NOTRE DAME COACH AD QB POST 112908 (2)

 

 

38-3! ROSE BOWL?

From ESPN.COM

The outcome of Saturday night's Notre Dame-Southern California game was decided early. What remains in doubt is Charlie Weis' future with the Fighting Irish.

Mark Sanchez passed for 267 yards and two touchdowns, USC's hard-hitting defense thoroughly dominated Notre Dame, and the fifth-ranked Trojans rolled to a 38-3 victory over the Irish and their beleaguered coach. More...

EAR CANDY

knew the defense would play well, and on his last game at the Brian Cushing loved that the defense got after the Irish and allowed just 91 TOTAL YARDS! DT Fili MoalaColi he didn't want to dis the field by losing to Notre Dame, QB Mark Sanchez threw for 267 yards and 2 td's but said you can never take the Irtish for granted, said programs philosophy is to win the Pac-10, that the faith he has in the defense gives him confidence, for those of you disappointed with a Rose Bowl bid, don't be Mark isn't and most of all it was important to send the seniors out with a win at the Coliseum. WR Patrick Turner caught the final touchdown and simply said, it was a fun night. Indeed.
Download USC NOTRE DAME POST 112908

JOSEPH: WEDNESDAY PRACTICE

The Trojans were going at it hard Wednesday on the turf of Cromwell Field.  My guess is the grass at Brian Kennedy field was still a bit wet from the recent rain but that didn't slow the team.  Since it is Notre Dame week, there was quite the fan turnout to see the Men of Troy workout.

Scary moment late in practice as Joe McKnight got hit while fielding a punt and was on the ground for several minutes as the training staff attended to him.  Coach Carroll explains Joe's status and if he'll be ready for Saturday's game.

Download Coach on Joe McKnight's injury

TE Blake Ayles did not practice as he continues to recover from a knee injury.  Coach Carroll says Ayles is doubtful for Saturday's game.

Download Coach on Blake Ayles' injury

S Kevin Ellison came out to warm up with the team but then left the practice field.  Coach Carroll said Ellison's setback wasn't surprising.

Download Coach on Kevin Ellison

Most who follow USC know the team is 26-0 in November games under Coach Pete Carroll.  But did you know the Trojans have won 27 consecutive home night games?  Also, USC has won six straight against this week's opponent, Notre Dame. 

This is the 15th time the USC-Notre Dame game has sold out in the Coliseum.  The Trojans and Irish have beaten each other more than any other opponent (42 wins by Notre Dame and 32 by USC).

The Trojans are back on the practice field Thursday.

dj

NOTRE DAME WEEK IS HERE

Yes, the Irish might be 6-5 and coming off a tough loss to Syracuse where the Notre Dame players were pelted with snowballs, by their OWN ,but the 80th meeting between the two storied programs will still be a special affair Saturday afternoon.

EAR CANDY

* Center Jeff Byers recalled fond memories of Notre Dame games, thinks that regardless of the records it's still a special rivalry and wants to leave SC having never lost to the Irish.

* QB Mark Sanchez calls SC-Notre Dame at the Coliseum college football at its best, says the team can't focus on the BCS, and for those of you worried about the offense, Sanchez said the offense will break through.

* S Taylor Mays is only a junior, but with the type of season he's having this might be his last game against the Irish, and wants to send a message to anybody that will listen. SC is Defense  U! Mays called the Irish an emotional team therefore a dangerous team. Even Taylor knows where the Trojans stand in the BCS (5th), because you can't ignore the BCS! So true.

Download USC PRACTICE 112408

JOSEPH: THURSDAY PRACTICE

The Trojans were back on the practice field Thursday in their final workout before having the weekend off.  The players had another spirited practice session with a lot of the younger guys seeing action.  This week was basically a fine-tuning of sorts, as the bye week gave the team some time to step back and assess where they stand with two games remaining. 

On the injury front, Clay Matthews remains out with an ear injury.  No word yet on when he will be back.  Joe McKnight doesn't seemed to be slowed by a nagging toe injury.  He looked solid both running and catching the ball and didn't seem to be hampered by the toe at all. 

Safety Kevin Ellison was at practice in sweatpants but did not work out with the team.  Coach Carroll has said Ellison is way ahead of schedule as he recovers from knee surgery.  Great to see Kevin back with the team and no doubt the bye week has benefitted him and his recovery.

Coach Carroll said he was pleased with the team's performance during the bye week.

Download Coach on thursday practice

He explains who stood out on the offensive side of the ball this week.

Download Coach on who impressed this week

On the defensive side of the ball, Coach said one player in particular stood out.

Download Caoch on jurrell casey

CB Kevin Thomas told me who impressed him this week.

Download Thomas on who impressed him this week

Coach explained how they're preparing for Notre Dame next weekend.

Download Caoch on preparation for nd

Everyone knows about the rivalry between USC and Notre Dame.  Count Coach Carroll in that group as well.

Download Coach on usc nd tradition

But Coach said you can throw the records out the window when these two teams meet.

Download Caoch says records dont matter

Thomas also shared his thoughts on the Trojans being 6th in the BCS with just two games left.

Download Thomas on bcs

USC has Friday and Saturday off before reconvening Sunday night.  The Trojans will be back on the practice field Monday afternoon.

dj

 

GOING TO MISS USC - KYLE MOORE

With his collegiate career winding down I caught up with DE Kyle Moore after Wednesday's practice and he talked about being excited watching the underclassmen work hard,  how much he's going to miss USC and most importantly beating Notre Dame.

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