Countdown to Kickoff: 8 Days

As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, we are now just 8 days away from kicking off the season against the University of Idaho in what could be the biggest blowout the world has ever seen. Wearing #8 for Trojans this season is the highly touted freshman WR Ronald Johnson, who will have some very big shoes to fill (Dwayne Jarrett's)...

Johnson (image above from yesterday's scrimmage) came to USC, despite being heavily recruited by his home state school of Michigan, because he believed he can contribute right away as a slot WR who can break a game open at any time. He has shown that he has the necessary skills to compete at this level throughout fall camp, and will get every opportunity to work himself into the starting lineup. It will be interesting though, to see how he handles the pressure of continuing the legacy left by Jarrett, who is perhaps the greatest Trojan WR since Lynn Swann.

Dwayne Jarrett basically re-wrote the record books during his career at USC, but his finest moment might have came a couple years ago in South Bend. The #1 ranked Trojans engaged in an epic battle against Notre Dame, but found themselves trailing 31-28 late in the 4th quarter. Facing a 4th Down and 9 yards to go, (click here to relive the magic) Leinart found Jarrett for what will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest plays and finishes to a game in college football history. Who will ever forget that memorable 4th and 9 play, called "82 Sluggo Win," that eventually led to the game-winning touchdown (and the Bush push)? I sure as heck won't.

Fight On!