Countdown to 2008 Kickoff: 34 Days

As we continue our countdown to the 2008 season, we arrive at number 34. It should come as no surprise to anyone who reads this blog regularly that this post is dedicated to Hershel Dennis, the former USC tailback who played from 2002-2007. Hersh was the starter before we had Thunder and Lightening and probably would have been the premier back had he remained healthy. Dennis suffered two unfortunate knee injuries and an unjust accusation from some random whore student, but we'd like to remember all the good times Hershel lived at USC.

Dennis saw limited playing time after the emergence of Reggie Bush and Lendale White and the slew of All-American tailback recruits, but he remained a loyal teammate and supported all the young pups going through the system.

In his final game as a Trojan, Hershel Dennis scored a touchdown in the 2008 Rose Bowl against Illinois. It was his first touchdown since the 2004 season. Dennis was mobbed by teammates to celebrate one of his last moments playing for the Trojans.

Hershel leaves USC as the only player to ever play for 6 Pac-10 Championship teams. He ends his football career with three high school championship rings playing for Long Beach Poly and 13 championship rings in college that include 6 Pac-10 championships, 3 Rose Bowl titles, 2 Orange Bowl titles and of course, 2 National Championship rings... (fuck you LSU).

A class act on the football field, in the classroom or just walking around campus, Hershel Dennis is truly one of the great Trojans I was able to meet and admire during my time at USC. Hersh was by far my favorite player on the team while I was in school and it won't be the same without seeing #34 roaming the campus. Good luck to you, Hersh.