Stafon Johnson News

Against Arizona State, the Trojans turn to their veteran blockers to lead the way.

EUGENE, Ore. a ' Like students crammed into their sliver of a packed college stadium, not much separates the combatants in Saturday's epic Pac-10 tilt between USC and Oregon.

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.

The belief here last week was that for the well-being of the Pac-10 Conference, an Oregon victory over USC would be a good thing.

Reporting from Eugene, Ore. - As USC players whooped and hollered during the Trojans' walkthrough at Autzen Stadium on Friday, receiver Damian Williams quietly jogged around the perimeter of the field.

Oregon has waited for this day for years. USC has made it Groundhog Day for years.

Okay, Trojan fans, before you gear up to blast me with facts about how USC's running game is strong, resurgent, and very effective, hold your horses .

By the time USC center Kristofer O'Dowd arrived at training camp in August, he already had been selected to several preseason All-American teams.

USC receiver Ronald Johnson appears to be back. Johnson, a junior who suffered a broken collarbone during training camp, made a diving catch for a touchdown in the Trojans' 42-36 Pacific 10 Conference victory over Oregon State on Saturday night at the Coliseum.

The black under his eyes shined like the bruises on Oregon State. 'I Promise,' it read.

Allen Bradford rushed for a career-high 147 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 4 Southern California avenged its only loss of last season with a 42-36 victory over Oregon State on Saturday night.

On Sept. 28, the USC football team lost its voice. That Monday morning, a barbell loaded with 275 pounds slipped from the hands of senior tailback Stafon Johnson , landed on his throat and crushed his voice box.

USC employed a three-man tailback rotation until Stafon Johnson got hurt and the Trojans switched to a two-man rotation the past three games.

Here is the Big Ten bowl lineup as of 2010, in order of conference finish: Conf.

Southern California was leveled by another post-Ohio State funk, taken down by upstart Washington with a late drive that must have looked familiar to the Trojans.

Injured tailback saga continues for Trojans >> Posted By nleitere 4 hours, 27 minutes ago in Sports USC's stable of running backs is shrinking by the day.

Injured tailback Stafon Johnson has made a surprise appearance at Southern California's team meeting before the sixth-ranked Trojans' trip to Notre Dame.

The last two weeks were a trying time for Trojan Nation. Stafon Johnsona TMs weightlifting accident silenced the BCS complaints, held off the Notre Dame analysis, and, most importantly, temporarily stifled the bitterness between USC and hated rival UCLA.

USC quarterback Mitch Mustain apparently just needed a few kicks to move up the depth chart.

USC senior tailback Stafon Johnson will be released from the hospital Wednesday, more than two weeks after a weightlifting accident crushed his throat and larynx.