TrojanUpdate.com

Rose Bowl Defensive MVP Maualuga says he’ll return for senior season

Marc — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:06:33 +0000

LB Rey Maualuga, defensive MVP of USC’s 49 - 17 dismantling of Illinois in the Rose Bowl, told John Jackson on FSN’s postgame show that he will be returning for his senior season, “100 percent.” With Maualuga, Kaluka Maiava, and Brian Cushing as the probable starters at linebacker, and with Malcolm Smith, Clay Matthews, and Chris Galippo supporting them, the linebacker corps should be in excellent shape come the fall.

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Final Rose Bowl features/previews wrap-up: smell the roses

Marc — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:37:56 +0000

The Trojans, a healthy 22 - 9 in Rose Bowl games, will roll it out today against Illinois, 3 - 1 in Rose Bowls, including a 45-9 pummeling to the Rick Neuheisel quarterbacked Bruins in 1984. It will be nice to finally watch the game after weeks of some of the more tired cliches coming from the midwestern contingent (including, but not limited to: “we’re not respected”, “we’ve got nothing to lose”, ”we’re going to shock the world”). Playmaking WR Ronald Johnson sounds ready to fill in for Patrick Turner if the junior can’t play or is limited with his quad injury: “It gives us a chance to show what we have,” Johnson told the LA Times. The consensus seems to be that if the Trojans can sufficiently stop the running of QB Juice Williams & Rashard Mendenhall (not an easy task with their size and the performance of their O-line), the Illini won’t be able to pass their way to victory like the Vince Young-led Longhorns and the Dennis Dixon-led Ducks had been able to do against USC in the past. Williams’ inexperience (and his 5 interceptions in his last 5 games) against the experience and power of SC’s D-line should cut against the chances of an Illinois victory. The midnight line is holding strong at 14 points, with most local pundits predicting a score along the lines of USC 34 - Illinois 17. Here’s some reading material before you head to the game or click on the flat screen.

Trojans’ defense respects but doesn’t fear Illini attack (ESPN)
Return of the Trojans: Hot USC will continue to roll vs. inexperienced Illinois (SI.com)
Illinois’ offensive approach as easy as 1-2-3 (ESPN)
Illini vs. the world (Chicago Sun-Times)
A senior moment for Carroll (LA Times)
USC, Illinois look to stem tide of indifference (LA Times)
Illini embrace underdog role (LA Times)
Draft is next step for some players (LA Times)
Stopping Juice Williams is key for Trojans (LA Times)
In a class by themselves (LA Times)
Scouting report (LA Times)
Whicker column: Carroll learned in his year away from football (Orange County Register)
USC’s offensive weapon: Fred Davis (Orange County Register)
Illinois quarterback bringing some Juice into today’s Rose Bowl (LA Daily News)
Booty: Trojans have no advantage (LA Daily News)
Big Ten pride on the line for Illinois (LA Daily News)
USC puts its glory on the line in today’s Rose Bowl (The Press-Enterprise)
Patton: These Trojans fall short of past Trojans (The Press-Enterprise)

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Sunday bowl practice notes: the final practice for 6-time champs

Marc — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:03:45 +0000

After Sunday’s practice, each of the senior players exited the field through a tunnel formed by the underclassmen, a tradition Pete Carroll instituted in his first season. Except for injured DB Josh Pinkard, every other link to USC’s Orange Bowl National Championship team of 2005 will be gone after Tuesday’s game. None of SC’s current players has played in anything less than a BCS bowl or finished any lower than tied for the Pac-10 Championship, which is extremely impressive and should be noted given the pallor of disappointment that seems to have burrowed its way into most articles anticipating the Rose Bowl.

LB Keith Rivers (ankle) has shown better movement in practice this week and looks like the frontrunner to start against Illinois, though Pete Carroll isn’t going to commit: “We’ll take it all the way up to game time.”
RB Chauncey Washington (knee) will start on Tuesday, Carroll told reporters, because he’s practiced at full speed the last five days.
Daily Turner report: WR Patrick Turner (quad) attempted to practice for the second day in a row, but couldn’t go close to full speed. Carroll noted, “It’s going to be hard for him to be able to contribute.”
Carroll told reporters that his staff has installed a few new plays during the 15 bowl practices, and he assumes that Illinois head coach Ron Zook and his staff has done the same. Carroll joked, “The fact we’re playing a 3-4 defense this game shouldn’t bother anybody.”

Carroll’s energy key to rebuilding USC (Springfield State Journal Register)
Tough psyche final (Chicago Sun-Times)
Rivers driven to honor 55 (LA Times)
Zook brings Illini to his side of the tracks (LA Times)
Seniors provide USC with quiet leadership (Orange County Register)
Trojans’ Davis takes time to fulfill his vision quest (LA Daily News)

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Recap: (24) USC 70, UC Riverside 57

Marc — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 10:13:55 +0000

In what was supposed to be a tune up for the Pac-10 season which begins on Thursday night at California, USC’s basketball team (9-3) ran into some trouble in the first half against Riverside (3-8) on Saturday night before ultimately prevailing 70 - 57. The Trojans trailed the Highlanders 26-12 early in the first half, but they remained composed and continued to push the ball, tying the score by halftime. The primary issue throughout the game was that the drastically undersized Riverside players were able to grab key rebounds from the bigger Trojans, not a good sign when USC will have to deal with the Brobdingnagian frontline Devon Hardin and Ryan Anderson in Berkeley in just five days. O.J. Mayo had another mediocre shooting night, going just 8 for 21, for 20 points, most of which came late in the second half. Riverside was within 4 points of SC with just over seven minutes remaining, but solid late game performances by Mayo and Daniel Hackett led to a 12 - 0 run which dispatched the visitors.

Trojans’ win looks a little too effortless (LA Times)
Trojans rally to beat UC Riverside (LA Daily News)

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Saturday bowl practice notes: Carroll praises Neuheisal hiring

Marc — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 09:53:52 +0000

There hasn’t been a truckload of news items coming out of Rose Bowl practice this week, other than the typical storyline that USC has trouble with mobile quarterbacks (such as Illinois’ “Juice” Williams). The daily Patrick Turner injury issue hasn’t been completely resolved. Because he could only participate in a few drills Saturday, Pete Carroll described his activity as “not enough to really make a dent,” in his chances of actually playing in the Rose Bowl. Freshmen Ronald Johnson and David Ausberry remain on track to play in his wide receiver spot on Tuesday, which is not a huge dropoff in talent considering Turner’s relatively lackluster performance this season.

Carroll on UCLA’s hiring of Rick Neuheisel on Saturday: “We were waiting for the smoke to come out of the Vatican, and it finally did…I think it’s a terrific choice. His experience in the NFL is beneficial. They got a really good choice. He’s always been a really good recruiter. He’ll do a great job.”
RB Joe McKnight wore a knee brace in practice Saturday due to stiffness, but it is not considered serious.
RB Stafon Johnson, the master of self-evaluative percentages, told Scott Wolf he is 95 percent recovered from the bone bruise on his foot he initially hurt against Washington. If only he can play 95% as well as he did against Nebraska.

USC has weakness for Illini duo (Chicago Tribune)
Defense isn’t anything fancy (LA Times)
Washington wants a big finish (LA Times)
USC’s Radovich ignores the critics (LA Daily News)

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Friday bowl practice notes and features roundup: Corp’s got the Juice

Marc — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:35:23 +0000

USC’s freshman quarterback Aaron Corp, who is redshirtting this year to learn the playbook and get stronger before competing for playing time next spring with Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain, has impressed Trojan coaches with his bowl practice performances as the would-be “Juice” Williams, Illinois’ mobile starting quarterback. Pete Carroll told the LA Times, “At times he’s been too good for us…It’s been hard to defend him. His offense out of high school did everything that they’re doing here running and throwing.” Though he likely won’t start in 2008 with the talent and experience ahead of him on the depth chart, if the coaches are sufficiently impressed with him by next fall, perhaps they’ll design some plays for him in 2008 similar to those tailored to the freshman Tim Tebow’s strengths, which will give him the option to pass or run when he finds an opening.

WR Patrick Turner did not practice once again on Friday and remains doubtful for the Rose Bowl. Pete Carroll told the LA Times, “It’s not looking very good for him to get back if he can’t practice…He’s got to get in the game plan.” Turner told Scott Wolf that he should practice Saturday: “I’ll be cool.” David Ausberry would be the primary beneficiary of Turner’s sitting out.
CB Terrell Thomas sat out part of practice with back tightness.
Carroll told reporters that no players are academically ineligible to play in the Rose Bowl. Scott Wolf notes, by way of possible explanation, that because the second semester won’t begin until January 14 (a week later than normal), grades won’t be posted until after Tuesday’s game.
Illinois freshman wide receiver Arrelious Benn described USC’s defensive schemes to the Chicago Sun-Times: “They haven’t been doing anything special. It’s nothing we haven’t seen all year.” Benn told the OC Register he was impressed with USC’s recruiting efforts, but that the West Coast location turned the D.C. native off.

Benn: “We’re here to win the game” (Chicago Sun-Times)
USC’s Williams has everyone’s back (LA Times)
Hurry-up offense rushes defense (LA Times)
Booty reflects on career as a Trojan (LA Times)
Illinois’ Zook, USC’s Carroll foes on recruiting path (LA Daily News)
Zook’s blueprint for success is hard work (Long Beach Press-Telegram)
USC’s defense turns it around (The Press-Enterprise)
USC notes: Is Illinois an Oregon repeat? (Orange County Register)
Whicker column: USC’s learning experience (Orange County Register)

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Thursday bowl practice notes: Turner more unlikely to play in the Rose Bowl

Marc — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:28:38 +0000

Junior wide receiver Patrick Turner, second to only Fred Davis in receiving yards this season with 569, missed practice again Thursday with a hematoma in his right leg and seems even more likely to miss the Rose Bowl. Though the coaching staff can afford to wait at least another day for him, and Turner was scheduled to have an MRI on his right quadriceps on Thursday night with the hopes of practicing Friday, Pete Carroll told the OC Register, “We’re prepared to go without him at this point, but we’d love to get him back if we can.”

LB Keith Rivers (ankle) and OG Chilo Rachal (knee) each participated in most or all of practice Thursday and are on track to play in the Rose Bowl. RB Chauncey Washington, out three weeks with a hip pointer, returned Thursday and told reporters that “I’m back and running great.”
Long snapper Will Collins will make his 52nd consecutive start on Tuesday. No other player on this year’s team has started more games than this reliably consistent and unsung contributor.
RB Joe McKnight, who looked sharp on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice due to travel difficulties, told Gary Klein that he is somewhat disappointed with his 2007 performance, mostly due to his penchant to fumble the ball, something he said “really should never happen.” He said he hopes to use the Rose Bowl as a springboard to a successful 2008 season.

Inland USC parents form lasting bonds over past 5 years (The Press-Enterprise)
McKnight already has an eye on ‘08 (LA Times)
Illinois’ Mendenhall earns place in spotlight (LA Times)
USC notes: Turner hopes to return (Orange County Register)
USC’s Ellis serves up sacks and jokes (Long Beach Press-Telegram)
Illinois lineman O’Donnell is a big hit (Long Beach Press-Telegram)

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Wednesday bowl practice notes: Carroll challenges injured players

Marc — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:42:52 +0000

Trojan players noticed a perceptible change in the tone and speed of practice Wednesday, the official beginning of game-week preparations for Tuesday’s Rose Bowl. Pete Carroll challenged his injured players to get on with returning to the team and proving that they’re healthy enough to take on the Illini. Carroll told the Times, “In essence, I just kind of threw the gauntlet down. ‘Fellas, it’s time to compete.” After practice the team met their oppoisition at Disneyland for their first Rose Bowl event.

RB Joe McKnight missed practice because of a flight delay, but he joined the team at Disneyland, thank goodness.
WR Patrick Turner remained sidelined with a bruised thigh and, according to Carroll, is doubtful for the Rose Bowl.
RB Chauncey Washington, still nursing a hip injury, returned to practice saying he feels fine and will play against Illinois.
OG Chilo Rachal practiced for the first time since injuring his right knee on December 7, telling reporters he feels “a lot better.”
LB Keith Rivers took part in the first part of practice before the level of play was amped up. Time will tell whether his ankle will feel good enough to share any serious playing time with Kaluka Maiava in the Rose Bowl.

USC’s injured starters back at practice (LA Times)
USC LB Rivers cut from a different cloth (LA Daily News)
Illinois and Rose Bowl a poor fit (LA Daily News)
Leman leads the way for Illini `D’ (Long Beach Press-Telegram)
USC’s Booty trying to prove critics wrong (Orange County Register)

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Weekend practice roundup: Cushing injured anew

Jason — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:59:38 +0000

The Trojans practiced again at Carson’s Home Depot Center on Friday and Saturday, and now are off for a short Christmas break before returning to campus for their final week of Rose Bowl preparations on Wednesday. Here are the latest developments:

LB Brian Cushing suffered a painful knee bruise in Friday’s practice after colliding with a teammate, but surprised teammates by returning to practice on Saturday.
The status of the other injured Trojans hasn’t changed: OL Chilo Rachal (knee), RB Chauncey Washington (hip), and WR Patrick Turner (quadriceps) did not participate in any of the weekend practices, but are expected to return to action on Wednesday. And it is looking like LB Keith Rivers (ankle) won’t be anywhere close to 100% in time for the Rose Bowl, but he is still expected to participate.
While Washington has been out, Stafon Johnson has taken most of the first-team reps in his place, and appears to have regained the form that he showed before a late-September foot injury that slowed him for the remainder of the season. Joe McKnight should also see increased field time against Illinois.
Freshman RB Marc Tyler continues to impress during practice, and has been performing admirably in the role of Illini tailback Rashard Mendenhall (who has a similar running style) on the service team.
Several of USC’s draft-eligible juniors–including linebacker Rey Maualuga and safety Kevin Ellison–are expected to ask the NFL for an evaluation of where they might go in the draft, although most (if not all) of those juniors are expected to return to school next year.
One player, at least, has been thinking about the more distant future. OL Sam Baker told the OC Register that he hopes to become a coach when his playing career is done.

Friday practice from Home Depot Center (Scout, $)
Saturday practice from Home Depot Center (Scout, $)
Insider: Bowl prep revisited (Rivals, $)
Cushing is banged up again (LA Times)
Players will see what NFL thinks (LA Times)
USC’s Baker thinking beyond NFL (OC Register)
USC’s McKnight could have expanded role (Daily News)

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Recap: (25) USC 78, Cal Poly 55

Jason — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 09:35:59 +0000

The Trojans (8-3) had their second straight easy home victory on Saturday evening, defeating the Cal Poly Mustangs (5-6) at the Galen Center, 78-55. It was the eighth consecutive game that the Trojans held their opponents to 62 points or fewer, matching a streak last attained in 1950. The Mustangs shot just 35% on the evening against a tough USC defense, and watched the Trojans pull further and further ahead as the game wore on.

Daniel Hackett led all scorers with 19 points, and looked like he could have scored a lot more had it been necessary. USC shot 53.8% on the night, including 8 of 14 from three-point range, and showed good ball movement and also outrebounded the Mustangs, 39-31. OJ Mayo had 18 points (on 6 of 10 shooting) and 6 assists, including a highlight-reel behind-the-back pass to Davon Jefferson for an easy dunk. (Well, it would have been a highlight-reel play had the game actually been on television.) Taj Gibson looked better than he has in weeks, making the most of limited touches for 9 points and 13 rebounds.

USC has one remaining nonconference game (next Saturday at the Galen Center against UC Riverside) before starting Pac-10 play at Cal on January 3rd.

Hackett, Mayo lead Trojans past Mustangs 78-55 (AP via Yahoo!)
Trojans cover all the bases (LA Times)
USC rolls over Cal Poly (OC Register)
Gibson back strong, as Trojans cruise (Rivals, $)

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