- NEWS
- SPORTS
- BUSINESS
- ENTERTAINMENT
- LIFE
- TRAVEL
- OPINION
Bruins-Trojans, the morning after
November 29th, 2009, 1:23 am · 12 Comments · posted by Mark Whicker, ocregister.com
– No doubt the end-of-game drama Saturday will be a big part of the run-up to the 2010 USC-UCLA game, and there was some real anger on the part of some Bruins after USC went deep to make it 28-7. But I remember the Bobby Bowden theory about running up the score: If you do it to me, that’s my fault.
– In the first half Brian Price was absolutely unblockable for UCLA, and that includes double-teams. It was a nice clinic on how influential a great defensive lineman can be. In the second half the Trojans managed to get by him a few times, but it didn’t diminish him. Sophomore Akeem Ayers is a terrific linebacker, too.
bradford
– USC runner Allen Bradford brought back the stiff-arm Saturday night. My only concern would be a face-mask penalty. He runs over people as if he remembers being a linebacker, although he didn’t get run over much. He did get a personal foul penalty on offense Saturday. He’s a load.
– Pete Carroll decried USC’s penalties. Does it remind you of listening to yourself moan about putting? It never ends.
– I really don’t get C.J. Gable getting the ball on second and 26, for his only carry of the game. Even if it wasn’t meant to be demeaning, it was.
– The Trojans had better hope Brice Butler has listened to everything Damian Williams has taught him, because Williams is going to be hard to replace, whenever he goes.
– USC must play better than this to beat Arizona Saturday. If it does, a USC-Oklahoma Holiday Bowl should suit everybody just fine.
– UCLA’s quarterbacks have an 8-11 TD-to-interception ratio.
– With all the talk about UCLA’s youth, the Bruins might lose as many or more impact players as the Trojans will. Their key is an interior offensive line that returns everybody, and had better improve.
– Talk about schizoid. The Trojans have held five teams to single-digit scoring. And they’ve allowed three teams to score 36 or more.
– USC never lost to Charlie Weis and apparently won’t get another chance to beat him. Weis wasn’t Notre Dame’s answer, but the Fighting Irish did play hard for him until the end.
– Pretty amazing that Kai Forbath didn’t have a field goal attempt. He was supposed to be the main instrument of the Bruins’ ball-control strategy.
– USC linebacker Malcolm Smith was the best player on the field. His brother Steve leads the NFC in catches as he plays for the New York Giants. Steve Smith was always in the shadows of other, taller, flashier wide receivers at USC, notably Dwayne Jarrett, but Smith has shown that route-running and consistency and toughness make the difference in the NFL.
– Speaking of someone who needed to grasp that, ex-Trojan Vidal Hazelton is sitting out as a transfer at undefeated Cincinnati.
More from the USC blog:
- USC football: Bruins react to final-minute fiasco
- USC football: Carroll made the right call. He’s also a hypocrite. Deal with it.
- USC football: Complete wrapup of Trojans-Bruins
- USC football: Garrett Green has torn ACL
- USC football: Trojans 28, Bruins 7 (final)
- USC football: Trojans 7, Bruins 0 (halftime)
- USC football: For Matt Barkley, it’s rush week
- USC-UCLA Rivalry Week: The links
- USC football: McKnight for Heisman in 2010?
Reader Comments
Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement.- Keep it civil and stay on topic.
- No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks.
- People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
12 Comments
Leave a Reply
-
ADVERTISEMENT
-
ADVERTISEMENT
Pete Carroll gets my award for Hypocrite of the year, UCLA would have got the ball back with about fifteen seconds left if USC did not get a first down by running, certainly no chance to score two touchdowns. It wouldn’t have been so bad if Carroll hadn’t refused to shake hands with the Stanford coach because he had gone for a two point conversion in the middle of the 4th quarter with a big lead. And his actions of cheering and congratulating the whole team after their surprise touchdown and taunting UCLA was bush to say the least. Until today I’ve always felt that Pete Carroll was a gentleman and a fine example to youth at USC and throughout the sports world. I no longer respect him. His message is to maul the opponent when he is down. Shame on you, Pete Carroll.
Stan baby USC kneeled on 1st down, which left us with 2-10, which means running for 2 downs, not going to happen. Have you ever played the game on any level, because if you have you would understand. Well if you what to give PC this award then since you have it go to our athletic dept. and give to him, I am sure he will take it and Laugh all the way to the Bank.
Anyone who’s ever played or watches football knows there is always a chance for a miracle ending and that’s what Rick was hoping for when he called the timeout. Was is possible for UCLA to make a comeback - yes it’s been done before, was it probable - not likely. USC was willing to kneel and allow the clock to run out with 52 seconds left and the score at 21-7, UCLA decided they still wanted to play, so USC obliged and played. You can’t blame Pete Carroll for wanting to win as much as UCLA did.
The weasal is 0-2 verse USC as a coach. Monopoly not over. Even in a down year for USC. Final score is the only thing that matters for me. Carroll still knows how to beat ND and the little bears.
2008
USC -28
UCLA -7
2009
UCLA -7
USC28
Neuheisel wanted to play, even with 44 seconds left so coach Pete Carroll played. I fail to see what’s wrong with that. Pete offered the olive branch by taking a knee, but Neuheisel didn’t want it. I thought calling for a long ball was a great move to help us get back some of our pride, confidence, and swagger back.
Stop whining; it was a great win, and that’s football. And besides, if Neuheisel wanted to get the ball back with time still on the clock, that play gave him his wish. It only took a few seconds off the clock.
I haven’t seen such great positive energy in the Coliseum for quite a while. Fight On! WE ARE SC!
It’s not hypocritical of Pete what so ever. He tried to be the bigger man and take a knee, slick Rick wanted to play games so you mess with the bull you get the horns. bRuins got gored. Next time let the game end Ricky. ;)-
I agree with the SC posters who say Pete Carroll had a right to run it up on UCLA with that deep pass on SC’s final score. He used an excellent psych move by taking a knee on the play before. LOL, Pkcourt, Franklymydearl, Jon, Mike4SC and GMoneyTrojans, keep repeating the BS Coach Carroll said was his motivation for doing that and downplay his celebrating like a punk after the play (I thought he could have held his game face a little longer, Geez, the guy acted like we won the BCS championship game the way he was jumping around like a little beeotch after that TD).
Orenthal James S
Well since you think you are OJ cool but tell me where in the rule books it says you can’t celebrate, oh I forgot you have to get permission from a ruin first. Dude have you ever played in a Rivalry game well if you did you would know that anything goes, so put a cork in it.
In reference to the actual article, I agree that Malcolm Smith was the best player on the field on Saturday. He had a great game.
Regarding Charlie Weis, I’m going to miss watching him lose football games. It was always almost as much fun as watching USC win.
Hey OJ
go back a few years and see what the bruins did on their sidelines when they beat USC 13-9. They jumped around like crazy too. westwood jc started this whole sideline dance when they were taunting USC.
Quit your whining and do your time. Didn’t know the vegas pens had internet access.
Any BTW…I bought your old heisman for $1 and melted it down for scrap metal. They should’ve paid me for taking that piece of dung.
Hey Marie, er Mario got anymore funny jokes about injured USC athletes?
You’re all class Mario.
Vidal Hazelton named MVP for Cincy Bearcats Scout Team by Brian Kelly
Vidal Hazelton has been one of the MAIN reason why the Bearcats are ranked #3 in the country. He was recently named the MVP of the Bearcats Scout Team by Brian Kelly. He is the best receiver they have and will be a force in 2010. Many NFL scouts have him high on their boards.
http://www.insidesocal.com/usc/archives/2009/12/picture-of-the-127.html
According to BearCats Insider Publisher Dave Berk
http://cincinnati.scout.com/2/889839.html
“Vidal Hazelton: As many know now Hazelton is a star who must sit out this fall after his transfer from USC. If Hazelton stays healthy he’ll be a player NFL teams will be looking to draft after the 2010 season. He’s got a big body and is very smooth in his route running and pass catching ability. This is one of the best wide receivers I’ve had the chance to watch and Bearcat fans will love what they see next season.”
“Today’s afternoon practice was attended by a scout for the Seahawks who told Bearcat Insider there is a lot of talent on the field the NFL is looking at in Cincinnati. Mardy Gilyard and Tony Pike look to be two players eyes are on along with Vidal Hazelton the transfer out of USC. ”
Vidal will be one of the Bearcats main weapons for 2010. Because of Pete Carroll’s bias Vidal transferred to the Bearcats. This kid is a stud. He has proved it over and over.
According to Mike Farrell of ESPN/Rivals.com “Vidal was the best WR at the All American game who stared: Percy Harvin, Matthew Stafford, Tim Tebow and Chris “Bennie Wells (Vidal’s roomate).
According to USC teammates “He brought out the best in the USC players. The WRs at USC would beg Vidal not to talk trash to the USC LB (Ray and Cushing) but he would do it to see what everyone was made off. The WR’s coach at USC, John Morton, nicknamed him “BadAss”. Vidal is a NFL caliber WR no doubt. I see him a 1st round draft 2010. Google “Vidal Hazelton” for all the updates on him.