Southern California Trojans NCAA Football News Archives

The downtrodden USC Trojans and surprisingly upstart UCLA Bruins seemed to be headed in opposite directions before they faced each other on Saturday.

So what's worse: Calling a time-out when your opponent is running out the clock with a 14-point lead, or responding to that time-out by throwing a long TD pass? In the Coliseum and on the Internet, the debate rolled across Los Angeles on Sunday after the action-packed final minute of USC's 28-7 victory over UCLA.

In retrospect, and with abye week to let things settle, perspective and acceptance became the latest stages in what's been a season-long grieving process for USC and its fans.

When Matt Barkley kneeled down to end Southern California's victory in the final minute, UCLA defiantly stopped the clock with a timeout.

A home game on Thanksgiving weekend is nothing unusual for USC, except the main topic is something usually esoteric like whether Notre Dame will fire Charlie Weis before the Trojans cruise into another Rose Bowl.

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.

Pac-10 picks of the week are back after a one-week hiatus. With Southern California enjoying another bye week, I did not feel inclined to pick the rest of the Pac-10 contests last weekend.

Usually, it is the home team that has to worry about rival hijinks and shenanigans leading up to game time; however, in the case of the USC-UCLA rivalry, all bets are off.

If losing three games and probably being frozen out of a BCS bowl is not enough, USC faces another dilemma as it limps into the city championship game.

LOS ANGELES - Matt Barkley spent the bye weekend with family and friends in Orange County, celebrated his grandfather's birthday and tried to forget three rough weeks that have seen the USC freshman quarterback's stock drop dramatically and the Trojans' dominance of the Pac-10 come to an abrupt end.

Patton: UCLA final indignity or needed tonic for USC? Submitted by SHNS on Wed, 11/25/2009 - 14:34 LOS ANGELES - Just what USC needs -- a UCLA game, a way to lift Trojans hearts in a dark hour and restore dignity to a bruised team.

Unlike recent years in which Southern California dominated the rivalry game against the UCLA Bruins , expectations are being cast aside as no one really knows what to expect from either team on Saturday.

Damian Williams, USC's leading receiver and punt returner, continues to be a question mark heading into Saturday's showdown against UCLA.

He has been around this program longer than most, Jeff Byers officially becoming a USC Trojan in the summer of 2004, when Matt Barkley was 13 years old.

After seven straight Pac-10 titles, disappointment just doesn't stick to Pete Carroll.

Southern California receiver Damian Williams has returned to practice after missing the Trojans' last game with a sprained right ankle.

Trojans in the NFL focuses on USC Trojans, who were drafted into the National Football League this past NFL Draft, in an effort to follow the blossoming professional careers of some of your favorite players.

Although Brice Butler did his best Damian Williams- impression in the Trojans' most recent game against Stanford, Williams' presence, both in the receiving game and the return game, has been sorely missed.

As USC is mired in its worst season in recent memory, the UCLA Bruins could be forgiven for paying more than a little attention to their cross-town rivals.

Every week Sports Examiners across the nation throw their hat into the ring of top 25 college football projections.

USC is 10 games into the season, but the Trojans' offense is still making mistakes indicative of the early season.

USC fullback Stanley Havili moved a chair into his dressing stall and sat with his back to teammates and reporters after last week's embarrassing loss to Stanford at the Coliseum.

As Pete Carroll and the USC Trojans migrate down an unfamiliar path , there are still definitive goals that must be accomplished, both for this season, and perhaps more importantly, for the next.

With so much criticism of USC's defense following last week's loss to Stanford, linebacker Chris Galippo took exception to the blanket perception that his unit is the root of the Trojans' recent struggles.

With USC's game against the UCLA Bruins fast approaching, let's take a look at some of the more memorable UCLA moments in this epic rivalry.

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.

USC is 10 games into the season, but the Trojans' offense is still making mistakes indicative of the early season.

The thought of USC winning a national championship disappeared a few weeks ago and the program degenerated to its lowest level in eight years after last weekend's embarrassing loss to Stanford.

With the game against the crosstown UCLA Bruins fast approaching, let's take a look at some of the more memorable USC moments in this epic rivalry.

USC coach Pete Carroll explained Tuesday that a big reason for the Trojans' embarrassing loss to Stanford was the lackadaisical pace of last week's practices.

Stanford's 2-point conversion has turned into something of a 2-point controversy.

With the Trojans' recent struggles, many have been questioning the decision to use this season as a 'baptism by fire' for true freshman quarterback, Matt Barkley .

Quick hitters from USC's Wednesday practice: ** Leading receiver Damian Williams is slated to run Monday, Trojans coach Pete Carroll said.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley sacked by Stanford's Will Powers and Matthew Masifilo in the second quarter of a football game between Stanford and USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, November 14, 2009, in Los Angeles.

In an unfamiliar sight for a USC home game, Trojans players hang their heads in the fourth quarter Saturday.

LOS ANGELES - After suffering a second knockout blow in three weeks, USC began to lift itself up off the canvas with a spirited Tuesday practice.

Some have questioned USC's effort in the fourth quarter of these past two losses, raising issues of heart and pride.

Many of the questions following Saturday's 55-21 thumping at the hands of Stanford concerned USC's loss of swagger.

With 6:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, Stanford scored its seventh touchdown of the game to take a demanding 48-21 lead over the Trojans that all but assured a victory.

USC tailback Joe McKnight agreed when asked if the Trojans might lack an identity following their 55-21 drubbing by Stanford on Saturday at the Coliseum.

It was a homecoming to forget Saturday afternoon as a Jim Harbaugh-led Cardinal team came into the Coliseum and thoroughly dismantled the Trojans, 55-21...[ ] Looking back at the Trojans' most recent game against the Stanford Cardinal this past Saturday, there were a few notable performances and there were also a number of plays that made you want ...

Freshman Matt Barkley , who had four turnovers Saturday in USC's 55-21 loss to Stanford , will remain the Trojans' starting quarterback, Coach Pete Carroll said Sunday.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley lost a fumble and had three passes intercepted Saturday in Stanford's 55-21 victory over the Trojans.

This time nobody is saying that a Stanford victory at USC is impossible. Coach Jim Harbaugh hasn't remarked that some people think his team could lose 1,000 to zero.

It was a homecoming to forget Saturday afternoon as a Jim Harbaugh -led Cardinal team came into the Coliseum and thoroughly dismantled the Trojans.

Homecoming week couldn't have arrived at a more appropriate time for Southern California.

Johnson briefly demonstrated his remarkable recovery from a potentially fatal weight room accident Saturday before the Trojans' game against Stanford.

USC freshman defensive end Nick Perry will make the first start of his career Saturday against Stanford as the Trojans shuffled their defensive line for the game.

Receiver Damian Williams will miss No. 11 Southern California's game against 25th-ranked Stanford with a sprained right ankle.

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer Updated: November 13, 2009, 5:54 PM / A mere two years after Stanford's last trip to the Coliseum ended with arguably the biggest college football upset of the decade, coaches Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll both clearly want to forget it.

Last week I went 4-1 in my Pac-10 picks to bring my season picks total to 17-5 . The race for the Pac-10 crown is shaping up to be incredibly close down the stretch as Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford and USC all have a shot to win the conference.

The last time Southern California hosted Stanford in 2007, the nation was stunned when the 41-point underdog Cardinal got the best of the high and mighty Trojans.

It is not unusual for USC to lose two games by early November. The Trojans were an identical 7-2 just two years ago.

STILL THE STARTER? ASU head coach Dennis Erickson looks for an explanation from Danny Sullivan after he threw an interception against USC during their game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.

It is homecoming weekend here in sunny Southern California and wouldn't you know it, Saturday's festivities are shaping up to be spectacular.

It is appearing more likely that the Trojans will be without star wideout and punt return extraordinaire, Damian Williams , for Saturday's homecoming game against the Stanford Cardinal.

At first, Wes Horton and his USC teammates weren't sure what to make of Jurrell Casey.

Two years ago, Stanford went to the Los Angeles Coliseum as a 41-point underdog against No.

Trojans in the NFL focuses on USC Trojans, who were drafted into the National Football League this past NFL Draft, in an effort to follow the blossoming professional careers of some of your favorite players.

Going up against an Oregon Ducks team that was arguably one of the hottest in college football, the Stanford Cardinal did not even bat an eye.

For the Trojans, no one came up bigger in the game against the Sun Devils than safety Will Harris .

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

Turnovers and takeaways was the theme of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the USC Trojans.

Every week Sports Examiners across the nation throw their hat into the ring of top 25 college football projections.

A Southern California defense kept the Trojans in it for much of the game and ultimately allowed USC to escape Tempe, Arizona, with a victory... [ Continue Reading ] Looking back at the Trojans' most recent game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday, there were a few notable performances and there were also a number of plays that made ...

Despite USC's 14-9 victory at Arizona State , that remains to be seen. This is about penalties.

Turnovers and takeaways was the theme of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the USC Trojans.

Just asking what seems to be an obvious question in the wake of Stanford's 51-42 upset of Oregon: What does the Cardinal's offensive romp say about USC assistant head coach for offense Jeremy Bates? While the Trojan defense has come under fire, even inside Heritage Hall, for its performance on Halloween, should Stanford's offensive outburst against ...

Will Harris returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown, Matt Barkley threw a 75-yard pass to Damian Williams for another score, and No.

BOB SELF/The Times-UnionRibault's Javon Bell dives into the end zone after a catch late in the second quarter on Saturday at Ribault.

There was a time when Taylor Mays was a one-man horror show. Wide receivers ducked hits, cut off routes, and pretended to get tied up at the line in bump-and-run coverage.

Matt Barkley's life is just like any USC freshman's. Kidding. L: Rae Reilly R: Jeff Golden/Getty Images Two boys, both true freshmen, stand at a USC football practice.

Just how far USC gets down the road to recovery Saturday against Arizona State likely will depend on Tailback U.'s ability to get through the Pac-10's stingiest defense against the run.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH All eyes on the Pac-10 The marquee game of the weekend will be in Eugene as USC and Oregon battle at Autzen Stadium.

In the aftermath of a ghoulish Halloween night, the Trojans are a team standing at a bit of a crossroads.

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.

Matt Barkley was mad on Saturday and still angry on Sunday. But after coming to terms with Oregon's dominating victory over USC -- his first loss as the Trojans' starting quarterback -- Barkley has been his usual even-keel self while preparing for the Trojans' final road game, at Arizona State.

Trojans in the NFL focuses on USC Trojans, who were drafted into the National Football League this past NFL Draft, in an effort to follow the blossoming professional careers of some of your favorite players.

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

Tailbacks Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford are sitting out most of Southern California's practice to rest injuries.

Southern California is already out of the national championship picture, and coach Pete Carroll's team is a longshot to win its eighth consecutive Pac-10 title.

In his first three years at USC, senior safety Taylor Mays played on some of the strongest defenses the fabled football school has ever produced.

Who would have thought a few months ago that freshman quarterback Matt Barkley would be the least of USC's worries? Barkley didn't play a great game at Oregon - he was just 5 of 16 in the second half - but he generally acquitted himself well, providing the thinnest of silver linings on an otherwise dreary night.

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.

Every week Sports Examiners across the nation throw their hat into the ring of top 25 college football projections.

Halloween night is usually an occasion filled with fun costumes, friendly laughter and, of course, delicious candy.

USC got beaten up in more ways than one at Oregon. Here's an update on the Trojans' growing injury list, per USC coach Pete Carroll tonight: ** Linebacker Malcolm Smith has what Carroll called "a significant shoulder issue." Smith is due to have further tests on the shoulder, his left.

A shell-shocked USC defense could not offer any explanations for what happened Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.

Halloween night turned out to be more frightening than Southern California expected as the Oregon Ducks handed the Trojans a 47-20 loss in Eugene that is sure to haunt USC's dreams for some time to come.

Colton High School standout and USC tailback Allen Bradford became a 'promise keeper' on Saturday night.