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USC ~ The latest on USC, by the Orange County Register Sports staff

USC football: Injury opens door for Jackson, Kennard

November 6th, 2009, 10:42 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

USC defensive Everson Griffen (toe) didn’t make the trip with the team to Arizona State, putting sophomore Malik Jackson in position to make his first career start in a must-win game. (Aren’t they all?)

Jackson has shown a knack for making plays in limited duty; he has 2.5 sacks and 2 pass breakups this season. He also has lacked discipline at times, leading to penalties.

Jackson is expected to split time with freshman Devon Kennard, who will be playing just minutes from his home in Phoenix.

USC received some rare good news on the injury front this week when defensive linemen Nick Perry (shoulder) and Armond Armstead (wrist) responded well to rest. Their availability should ensure a deep DL rotation.

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Posted in: Depth chart • Football • Football injury updates • • • • • • • • • • • | Post a Comment »

USC at Arizona State: And the winner is …

November 6th, 2009, 7:00 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

There’s no way USC loses at Arizona State on Saturday, right?

That was my thinking as I broke down the matchup and predicted the outcome. (Of course, I didn’t have much of a choice after predicting earlier this week that the Trojans would win out.)

What about you? Have you lost the faith?

Tell us what you think:

Who will win the USC-Arizona State game?
View Results
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Posted in: Arizona State • Football • Pac-10 rivals | 8 Comments »

USC football: Can Tailback U. run on ASU?

November 5th, 2009, 8:34 pm by SCOTT M. REID, OCREGISTER.COM

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

“They’re difficult and challenging,” USC coach Pete Carroll said Thursday.

How challenging? Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in: Arizona State • Football • Pac-10 rivals • • • | 2 Comments »

USC football: Everson Griffen will play. Or won’t he?

November 5th, 2009, 7:55 pm by SCOTT M. REID, OCREGISTER.COM

It depends on who you ask.

USC coach Pete Carroll said after Thursday’s practice that Trojan defensive end Everson Griffen, the Pac-10 sack leader who has been battling turf toe this week, will play against Arizona State on Saturday.

But Griffen had a different take as he limped off Howard Jones Field Thursday night, his left leg sockless and shoeless. Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in: Depth chart • Football injury updates • National rivals • Spring football • • • • • • • • | Post a Comment »

USC football: D.J. Shoemate’s quiet contributions

November 5th, 2009, 3:27 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

When it became apparent fullback Stanley Havili would miss some time because of a sore shoulder, USC’s coaches barely blinked. After all, backup D.J. Shoemate — a onetime receiver — could do all the things Havili could.

Yet in two games as Havili’s replacement, Shoemate didn’t get a single touch.

Play-caller Jeremy Bates explained that Shoemate didn’t carry the ball, as Havili had, because Havili also plays tailback in some sets. Shoemate is not yet that advanced.

As far as Shoemate not having any receptions, Bates said it’s simply a matter of numbers. “We’re going to try to get everyone involved,” he said.

But there is one thing Shoemate is doing very well, and it’s something that doesn’t show up in the boxscore.

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Posted in: Depth chart • Football • • • • • • | 7 Comments »

Poll: Is Carroll’s USC dynasty about to end?

November 5th, 2009, 11:45 am by Brian Perdue

Michael Lev wrote an interesting analysis on if the loss to Oregon signaled the beginning of the end for the Carroll dynasty at USC.

What do you think? Take our poll below the jump:

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Posted in: Football • | 11 Comments »

USC football: Devon Kennard goes home

November 5th, 2009, 10:15 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

The timing couldn’t be worse for Everson Griffen, but it just might be perfect for Devon Kennard.

With one defensive end from Arizona (Griffen) nursing a toe injury, the other (Kennard) could be in line for major playing time in his hometown.

If Griffen can’t play at Arizona State on Saturday, Kennard is expected to split time with Malik Jackson. Kennard grew up in Phoenix, 10-15 minutes from the ASU campus.

“I’m very excited,” Kennard said. “I get to play in front of the home crowd. Not too many people get that kind of opportunity.

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Posted in: Football • • | 1 Comment »

USC football: ‘Our mission is to score seven on every drive’

November 5th, 2009, 7:15 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

batesGiven the USC defense’s recent struggles, you might assume the offense would alter its game plan to emphasize time of possession.

When the reverse was true a year ago and the defense was consistently dominant, the coaches went to a more conservative offensive approach, knowing the Trojans likely would win if they simply didn’t turn the ball over.

But first-year play-caller Jeremy Bates (pictured) doesn’t plan to take his foot off the accelerator.
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Posted in: Football • | 5 Comments »

USC football: Are Trojans still king of Pac-10?

November 5th, 2009, 7:00 am by Adam Maya, staff writer since 2006

Click here for this week’s Pac-10 power poll and predictions on this week’s top college football games.

More from the USC blog:

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Posted in: Football | 16 Comments »

USC football: McCoy unlikely to play at ASU

November 4th, 2009, 7:21 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

Quick hitters from USC’s Wednesday practice:

** Tight end Anthony McCoy (ankle) still can’t run, decreasing the chances he’ll be available for the Arizona State game. He hasn’t practiced since getting hurt against Oregon State on Oct. 24.

** Defensive end Everson Griffen (toe) did work on the side, including running and side-to-side movements. He said the toe felt good, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to play because his position requires pushing off on every snap.

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Posted in: Depth chart • Football • Football injury updates • • • • • • • • | 11 Comments »

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