Viva Sanchez!

There's a great article on QB Mark Sanchez in the newest edition of ESPN The Magazine. Click here for the article...

She could teach Ausberry a few things... Great hands and concentration

Countdown to 2008 Kickoff: 32 Days

Our countdown brings us to #32... The man honored with this post needs no introduction.

The Juice won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and finished a successful a career at USC that translated to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL. Things kind of soured later on in OJ's life... seen here and here... but shit happens. Regardless of his legal troubles, OJ Simpson was a beast at USC and in the NFL and he is 100% Not Guilty.

You think you can steal my shit!?!...

After the jump, a nice video clip of the best running back ever to play the game!

To get us ready for this year's big game, here's a clip of O.J. just ruining Ohio State...

Countdown to 2008 Kickoff: 33 Days

As we continue our countdown to the 2008 season, we arrive at #33. There's only one #33 at USC and that man is the great Marcus Allen. The 1981 Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 2,342, becoming the first player in NCAA history to rush for over 2000 yards in one season. A regular on the sidelines at USC home games, Marcus Allen helped USC earn the moniker "Tailback-U."

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.

College Football Live

Trojan great Carson Palmer is about to appear on ESPN's College Football Live to discuss the USC v. Ohio State match-up.



Fight On!

Until further notice

It appears Mr. Wolf may have blown his load too soon. The LA Times and many other media outlets are refuting Wolf's Daily News article which claims that Alex Stepheson had notified USC officials of his intentions to transfer to USC. Stepheson's mother, a USC alum, was interviewed this morning and had this to say...

"He has not made a decision," Diane Stepheson said. "I did see the article this morning, and we were shocked because the decision has not yet been made."
-The Press Enterprise

We'll wait and see how this shapes out and report on his commitment when we see the official press release from the athletic department.

Former Tar Heel to Transfer to USC

The Los Angeles Daily News is reporting that former Tar Heel power forward Alex Stepheson intends to transfer to USC this fall. The 6'9" 235lb Southern California native decided to transfer after spending two seasons at UNC where he played limited minutes off the bench. Stepheson also wanted to transfer to a university closer to home to be close to his father, who is suffering from a heart illness. Stepheson becomes the first commit for the Trojans for the class of 2009.



As Daily News article mentioned, it is uncertain whether or not the Trojans have an available scholarship to give Stepheson this season. The Trojans currently have...


13 scholarship players on their roster for next season.

• Rousean Cromwell
• Keith Wilkinson
• Taj Gibson
• Dwight Lewis
• Kasey Cunningham
• Angelo Johnson
• Mamadou Diarra
  
• Marcus Simmons
  
• Donte Smith
• Leonard Washington
• Demar Derozan
• Percy Miller
• Nikola Vucevic

The Trojans will have plenty of scholarships to give away for the 2009-2010 season with the departure of our two seniors, Wilkinson & Cromwell, and the likely departures of Taj Gibson and Demar Derozan. One scenario remains in which the Trojans could free up a scholarship this season; Percy "Romeo" Miller giving up his scholarship. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve a scholarship, I have yet to see him play, but he certainly doesn't NEED a scholarship. The multi-talented multimillionaire would have no problems paying the tuition at USC.

Regardless of the scholarship situation, congratulations to Tim Floyd and the Trojan coaching staff for bringing in another talented player. Hopefully this is just the beginning of a recruiting class that has tremendous potential.

Fight On!

Countdown to 2008 Kickoff: 43 Days

Representing #43 on our countdown is the great Troy Polamalu...

R.I.P

Our thoughts & prayers go out to the family and friends of Todd Doxey, a University of Oregon safety who passed away Sunday.

Countdown to 2008 Kickoff: 47 Days

As we continue our Countdown to Kickoff, we present to you the man rocking the #47 jersey, senior Clay Matthews III. Clay Matthews is probably one of the most underrated players on our roster. As a former walk-on he doesn't tout the 5-star status that some of our other linebackers have, but he can flat out play. He plays with a lot of heart and is one of the best tacklers on defense as well as the best field goal/punt blockers on special teams.



This spring Matthews was asked to learn a new position, in addition to the multiple linebacker positions he's capable of playing. With the loss of 1st round NFL Draft selections Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson to the Trojan defensive line the coaches asked Matthews to play the defensive end position. This season Matthews is expected to see most of his playing time at the Leo spot, while also serving as Brian Cushing's backup at the Sam linebacker position. It is also possible that Matthews will see time at the Elephant position that Cushing played during the 2006 season when the Trojans played a modified 3-4 defense.



Matthew is one tough SOB, and I cant wait to this monster prowling on defense.

Fight On!

Beat the Cavaliers!

Happy Birthday Hershel Dennis!

All of us at USC Sports Talk would like to wish former USC tailback Hershel Dennis a very Happy Birthday today. Mr. Dennis is celebrating his 24th year of life on this earth and we can only wish him the best. A true BEAST, Hershel Dennis is by far one of the greatest human beings this world has seen.

Countdown to 2008 Kickoff: 53 Days

As we continue the countdown to the 2008 season, we arrive at number 53... which also happens to be the number of the best offensive linemen in the nation, Jeff Byers.

The 2003 Gatorade National Player of the Year has suffered several injuries over the years at USC but he is ready to finish his career as a Trojan in fine form. Byers returned to the starting lineup last season and unleashed his fury on opponents. He was mauling people left and right and he was usually seen pancaking the opposition. Byers helped anchor the offensive line last season and we hope he will continue that role with the departures of Sam Baker, Matt Spanos and Chilo Rachal.

The veteran Byers is a in his senior season and is on the 2008 Outland Trophy "watchlist". He is also a candidate for Academic All-American. Byers is in his second year of working on his M.B.A. A leader in the classroom and a fierce competitor on the playing field, Jeff Byers is a true beast. One can only imagine his impact on the team had he not been sidelined with injuries. Byers would have moved the pile on that 4th and 2 against Texas in THE Rose Bowl in 2006. I doubt fucla would have been in the game if Byers had been opening holes in the 2006 upset.

If anyone remembers the Idaho game, there was one play in the second quarter where Byers blocked an opponent and his victim flew 5 yards in the air. Byers can manhandle his opponents and he embodies what the Trojan Force will accomplish this season.

Feeling the Excitement

With the start of fall camp right around the corner everyone should be excited for what should be another amazing season of Trojan football. Here's a video highlighting the 2007-2008 season provided by fletch627.

If this doesn't get you hyped for college football you should immediately cancel your Direct TV Sports Package, order Bravo, and shave the fleshy patch where your balls used to be.

Countdown to Kickoff: 54 Days

With 54 days left until our August 30th season opener against Virginia, its almost time to prepare the guest list and the menu for the kickoff celebration. (This will provide ample time for friends and alumni to make appropriate travel arrangements).

Representing #54 on our countdown to kickoff is redshirt freshman linebacker Chris Galippo. Last year the Trojans boasted the nations best linebacking corp with Keith Rivers, Rey Maualuga, and Brian Cushing patrolling the field. With the departure of Rivers, Chris Galippo's return from season-ending back surgery will help to insure that the linebacking unit will once again rein supreme.



As a freshman Galippo showed flashes of brilliance in limited action. And anyone with the pleasure of seeing Galippo on Howard Jones field knows that this kid is something special. He will spend this season backing up Big Rey, but should see plenty of playing time. By the start of the 2009-2010 season Carroll will be able to unleash his new field general.



Fight On!


*Photos Courtesy of: USCFootball.com

Countdown to Kickoff: 58 Days

Just 58 days until the most feared player in college football steps back onto the field...Middle LB Rey Maualuga #58

Maualuga used the 2008 Rose Bowl game against Illinois to stake his claim as the best linebacker and best defensive player in the country. His efforts earned him the game's Defensive MVP Award, but Trojans fans were a little nervous that this dominant performance would be his last in a USC uniform.

Big Rey shocked a lot of people when he chose to return to USC for his senior season, but I know why he came back. He's hungry...

We've all seen what Rey can do, but rest assured that this man beast will not rest until he is holding that the national championship trophy. Ball-carriers better not cross his path, no one has wrecked the opposition quite like this since Man-bear-pig...

This video is a nice reminder of why Big 58 is so great...

Fight On! Beat the Cavs!!