Malcolm Smith News

It was not the most exciting game, especially considering some of the history when these two teams have met on the field.

Malcolm Smith returned one of Southern California's three interceptions 62 yards for an early touchdown, and the 24th-ranked Trojans regained their defensive pride while maintaining their city dominance with a 28-7 victory over UCLA on Saturday night.

A final decision is not required until mid-January, when the NFL draft deadline looms, but USC tailback Joe McKnight said Thursday that he was leaning toward returning for his senior season.

USC, which doesn't play this week, will practice at sunrise today so coaches not already on the road recruiting can travel across the Southland and the country in search of talent.

USC and Tennessee are scheduled to play a home-and-home series in the years 2020 and 2021, which means Pete Carroll and his former assistant, Lane Kiffin, are unlikely to face each other by the time the team's play.

Posted on Nov 16, 2009 by Mike Hlas . Stanford running back Toby Gerhart scores a touchdown as Southern California's Taylor Mays reacts during the second half of Saturday's game in Los Angeles.

This is how far the once mighty Trojan empire has fallen in just three weeks. Midway through the fourth quarter of No.

Seven years of near-invincibility have gone down the drain this season, capped by the 55-21 loss to Stanford.

Pete Carroll wouldn't go there, but Matt Barkley did. Asked about the USC offense's struggles in the past six quarters, the freshman quarterback pointed the finger squarely at himself.

USC rarely breaks from routine in its practice format. But continuing problems converting third downs have forced the 11th-ranked Trojans to double their emphasis this week as they prepare for Saturday's game against No.

USC freshman Devon Kennard might start at strongside linebacker against Stanford on Saturday despite his limited experience with the position - only two days.

With Rey Maualuga and three other linebackers having moved on to the NFL, Chris Galippo said before the season that he was eager to once again have the responsibility, "of either making plays or possibly losing a game," on his shoulders.

The Trojan football program is venturing down a road it has avoided for a very long time.

Name: Webpage: 17+3 = November 6th USC can be beaten. While you're snickering to my face, I'll justify it by saying that I never said USC can be beaten by Arizona State.

Frankie Telfort, a USC freshman linebacker barred from playing because of a heart condition, said he will see cardiologists in December with the hopes of convincing the Trojans' medical staff he can resume his football career.

After suffering their worst loss since 1997, the No. 12 Trojans took their first step toward turning the page Monday by trying to put the pieces back together on the practice field.

Just ask a Vegas bookie about USC's home loss to Stanford in 2007. Or about the likelihood of Notre Dame's fourth quarter near-comeback against the Trojans three weeks ago.

USC's defense and offense suffered criticism following the loss to Oregon, but another area that deserves scrutiny is special teams.

Upon further review . . . The worst loss of the Pete Carroll era at USC looked even worse the day after.

I've been handing out grades to the USC football team for almost two season, and never once have I given any unit an F. But I guess - as the Trojans' 27-point loss on Saturday reaffirmed - there's a first time for everything.