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

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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

Posted in: Arizona State • Football • Pac-10 rivals | 8 Comments »

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 »

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: 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 »

USC football: Debating the demise of the dynasty

November 4th, 2009, 4:13 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

Is USC’s dynasty done? Did Saturday’s loss at Oregon signal the “end of an era,” as my colleague Scott M. Reid asserted?

This story examines the issue, pro-con style. Check it out and let me know what you think.

More from the USC blog:

Posted in: Football | 27 Comments »

USC football: Burfict would have been a perfect fit

November 4th, 2009, 9:00 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

California Arizona St Football

For the second time this season, USC faces a linebacker it recruited hard, thought it had wrapped up but ultimately didn’t land.

First it was Manti Te’o, now with Notre Dame. Now it’s Vontaze Burfict of Arizona State.

Both pack a punch, although Burfict sometimes plays recklessly. He drew three personal-foul penalties earlier this season against Washington. (So yeah, he’d have fit right in in the Notre Dame game.)

USC quarterback Matt Barkley, who played against Burfict in high school, called him “a little crazy man.” Barkley later amended that to “big crazy man.” Burfict is, after all, 6-3 and 245.

“He’s a beast,” Barkley said. “He plays hard. He doesn’t stop. … He gets after it.”

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Posted in: Arizona State • Football • Football recruiting • National rivals • Notre Dame • Pac-10 rivals • • • • | 35 Comments »

USC football: Gable, Corp, O’Dowd stand out

November 4th, 2009, 7:00 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

Tuesday’s USC practice provided three rare sights (besides almost half the team being unable to participate because of injuries):

  • C.J. Gable ran with the first-team offense.
  • Aaron Corp ran the scout team.
  • Kristofer O’Dowd ran well.

With Allen Bradford and Joe McKnight nursing knee injuries, the coaching staff had no choice but to turn to Gable, last season’s starter and this season’s odd man out.

Gable made some nifty runs and drew praise afterward from Trojans coach Pete Carroll.

“C.J.’s ready to go,” Carroll said. “He’s been waiting. He’s done a great job being patient about it. It’s been hard for him so far, but he’ll jump to the call whenever he gets the chance. He’s a great team player for us.

“I don’t mind him being frustrated. I think he should be because of the kind of guy he is and the kind of competitor he is. But I think he’s dealt with it very well. He worked on the service team for us when we needed him. I think he’s been just right. I hope he gets the chance to jump in and play some more in really critical situations, because he can answer that call. He’s done it for years, and I know he can do it now.”

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Posted in: Depth chart • Football • Football injury updates • • • • • • • • • | 6 Comments »

USC football: Barkley hates losing (he just doesn’t show it)

November 3rd, 2009, 9:09 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

Southern Cal Oregon FootballDon’t let Matt Barkley’s icy exterior fool you.

Although USC’s freshman quarterback invariably appears cool and positive on camera and on the field, he despises losing as much as anyone.

“I hate losing,” Barkley said Tuesday, two days after USC’s 47-20 defeat at Oregon.

“It’s really terrible to see a team go down like that. It kills me inside. You try your best not to show it.”

Barkley hadn’t been on the losing end of a game he started since his final appearance at Mater Dei. That was almost a year ago, but Barkley remembered how to handle it. Like the rest of his teammates, he has moved on to Arizona State.

“It (stinks) to see people say you don’t care about it if you’re not struggling over it, but we know there’s nothing we can do about it,” Barkley said.

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Posted in: Football • • | 58 Comments »

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