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Watch Lists But Will There Be A Season?
It’s weird to see watch lists coming out when it seems doubtful there will be a season in the fall. But USC QB Kedon Slovis has made the watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award, which goes to the nation’s top quarterback. Here is the complete list: 2020 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List Hank Bachmeier, Boise State, So., 6-1, 200, Murrieta, Calif.Ian Book, Notre … Continue reading Watch Lists But Will There Be A Season?
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Morning Buzz: USC Enters Phase 3 Of Workouts
USC entered Phase 3 of its on-campus workouts and I’m told the Trojans actually used footballs. That was probably a relief for the players, who haven’t been able to work out with teammates and footballs since the first spring practice back in March. The big question now is how long these workouts continue as conditions seem to be getting progressively worse? When is USC’s first … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Enters Phase 3 Of Workouts
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Never A Dull Moment At USC, Part II
Apparently, there’s a new scandal involving USC’s Office of Conduct, Accountability and Professionalism, according to a report from KCET. Excerpt: “The attorney’s lawsuit was filed just days after USC named a new leader for equity, equal opportunity and Title IX, replacing Gretchen Gaspari, who is accused in the court document of retaliating against the attorney for reporting that her own husband, John Gaspari, was convicted … Continue reading Never A Dull Moment At USC, Part II
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Afternoon Notes: Another USC Connection
Actress Kelly Preston, who died over the weekend after a two-year battle with breast cancer, attended USC. Here she is in her USC sorority photo circa 1980-81. In Varsity Blues news, California couple Todd and Diane Blake agreed to plead guilty to charges they paid bribes to get their daughter recruited to USC as a fake athlete in the “Varsity Blues” case. Todd Blake will … Continue reading Afternoon Notes: Another USC Connection
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JT Daniels Is Immediately Eligible
Talk about an expedited transfer. The NCAA granted former USC QB JT Daniels immediate eligibility at Georgia. Is Daniels even healthy? Does he want to compete against ex-Wake Forest QB Jamie Newman? Will there be a season? So many questions that could render the waiver meaningless but we’ll see. Has the NCAA ever responded this quickly? Continue reading JT Daniels Is Immediately Eligible
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USC Morning Buzz: Winners And Losers Of Week
WINNERS Clay Helton “Coach Folt” might be in no mood to pay off his contract if there is no college football. 2021 here he comes! Pac-12 CFP hopes Can a Pac-12 team make the CFP if they just play conference games? How do you keep them out of the Final Four if they go undefeated? Even in a mediocre conference? LOSERS Status Quo The coronavirus … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Winners And Losers Of Week
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USC Sunday Buzz: Another Financial Hit?
Clay Helton might be happy USC is not playing Alabama but it can’t be good news for the athletic dept. Alabama was being paid $6 million for the game. USC was probably being paid less but still receiving a huge payday. The Trojans got nearly $5 million to play Alabama in 2016. That’s another dent in revenue. I heard today about another season-ticket holder who … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Another Financial Hit?
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USC Roster Could Look Different For January Season
If USC has 19 juniors who could be potential draft candidates and 10 redshirt sophomores who also have a chance of going pro early, how many would back out of a January football season? Obviously not all of them would turn pro or skip a season. But it only takes a few to impact a team. Continue reading USC Roster Could Look Different For January Season
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USC Saturday Buzz: The Luck Continues
It’s pretty much a consensus opinion that Clay Helton is one of the luckiest men alive. He kept his job after last season. He won’t face Alabama or Notre Dame. Or maybe there won’t be a season and he won’t lose any games. About the only possible poor scenario for Helton might be if college football starts in January. USC has a lot of juniors … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: The Luck Continues
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USC Night Notes: Mike Bohn And Larry Scott Edition
Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott has tested positive for COVID-19, per the conference. After three rounds of COVID-19 testing at USC voluntary workouts, 201 tests were conducted with four positive results. Here is Mike Bohn’s statement on the Pac-12 going to an all-conference schedule: Continue reading USC Night Notes: Mike Bohn And Larry Scott Edition
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Pac-12 Goes To Conference-Only Schedule
As expected, the Pac-12 is following the Big Ten model, which means no USC-Alabama game. Continue reading Pac-12 Goes To Conference-Only Schedule
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USC To Remove John Wayne Exhibit
The USC School of Cinematic Arts will remove a John Wayne exhibit, according to a Friday announcement. “Conversations about systemic racism in our cultural institutions along with the recent global, civil uprising by the Black Lives Matter movement require that we consider the role our school can play as a change-maker in promoting anti-racist cultural values and experiences,” said Evan Hughes, USC’s assistant dean of … Continue reading USC To Remove John Wayne Exhibit
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
The Pac-12 must have breathed a sigh of relief Thursday when the Big Ten announced if there are fall sports, it will be conference-games only. The Pac-12 prefers to lead from behind and now has a template if it chooses to play in the fall. By coincidence, Pac-12 presidents and atheltic directors are meeting today and can discuss how to follow the Big Ten’s decision. … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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Former USC Pole Vaulter Mel Hein Jr. Dies
Mel Hein Jr., a pole vaulter who was a member of two USC track national title teams, died Wednesday of a brain infection. He was 79. Hein Jr. set the world indoor record of 16 feet, 5 3/4 inches in the pole vault in 1965 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. He later won three City titles as the track coach at Taft High … Continue reading Former USC Pole Vaulter Mel Hein Jr. Dies
Pac-12 Now Knows What To Do Thanks To Big Ten
If the Big Ten plays football in the fall, it will be a conference-only schedule. The ACC is expected to follow suit. So now at least we know what the Pac-12 will do because the conference never leads, it follows. What happens to USC-Notre Dame? The Irish want the game, of course, because they have six ACC games they will play and need a few … Continue reading Pac-12 Now Knows What To Do Thanks To Big Ten
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Who Opposes Spring Football? Everyone At Fox
Every Fox pundit on its “Big Noon Kickoff” show opposes playing football in the spring. Urban Meyer: “When you play a long season and when you get to spring practice … when you play 2,000 competitive reps, your body is not ready for contact in three months or two months. It’s not. I would not put those players in harm’s way. “You talk about student-athlete … Continue reading Who Opposes Spring Football? Everyone At Fox
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Larry Scott Takes Another Pay Cut But Is It Enough?
Larry Scott graciously agreed to take a 12 percent pay cut for the next 12 months, according to an email obtained by the Oregonian. He will still survive on his $5.3 million salary. The problem is Scott is cutting other employees’ salaries 5-10 percent after making them work in super-pricey San Francisco. And he already laid off 8 percent of the Pac-12 Network staff in … Continue reading Larry Scott Takes Another Pay Cut But Is It Enough?
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Some Schools Bringing Around Half Students Back To Campus
Princeton is cutting tuition 10 percent because most classes will be online. But it has come up with a creative plan for students: Half the undergrads will be on campus at a time: Freshmen and juniors in the fall, while sophomores and seniors will be there in the spring, with restrictions on social activities and a rigorous testijng program. Harvard said it is bringing up … Continue reading Some Schools Bringing Around Half Students Back To Campus
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USC Morning Buzz: Winners And Losers Of The Week
WINNERS USC athletes After the second round of coronavirus tests, USC has had two athletes test positive in two weeks out of 126 tests. Jacki Gemelos The former USC basketball player, who was the No. 1 player in the nation in 2006 but had eight surgeries in six years, has signed with the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun. USC alumni More than 3,100 have signed this petition … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Winners And Losers Of The Week
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USC Has More Controversial Buildings
If you are a member of a USC alumni club upset that your club is being dissolved, you might ask USC why it is still calling the Alumni House the “Widney Alumni House” after Robert Widney, a university founder. Max Nikias even erected a statue of Widney in 2014. The Los Angeles Times ran an article that included background on Widney and his brother, Joseph, … Continue reading USC Has More Controversial Buildings
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More Fourth Of July Photos
Above is a photo from the 1957 Coliseum fireworks that features the big, white clock atop the scoreboard. And below is the 1959 show with Vice President Richard Nixon, his 10-year-old daughter, Julie, and Japanese Consul General Yukio Hasumi. Continue reading More Fourth Of July Photos
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A Damon Bame Memory
Here’s a story on All-American linebacker/offensive lineman Damon Bame, who died last week. In 1962, Bame was named an United Press International All-American. When he made the team, a USC official told him at football practice. “Did I make honorable mention?” Bame asked. “No,” the official replied. “Third team?” Bame said. “No,” the official replied. “Second team?” Bame said. “No,” the official said. “First team?” … Continue reading A Damon Bame Memory
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USC Saturday Buzz: Happy Fourth Of July!
Here’s a nice color photo from 1964 when the Coliseum fireworks show on the Fourth of July lit up the sky in Exposition Park. Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Happy Fourth Of July!
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A Friday Notes Column Follow-Up
Just a follow-up to the note in today’s column where I wrote about the USC official who skipped the spring football game for the Fresno Relays. One of the guys that drove up to Fresno with the USC official was former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle (pictured). Like I said, track was big. “The Fresno Relays are way bigger than the USC football spring game,” the … Continue reading A Friday Notes Column Follow-Up
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
Last week, I gave the guidelines some schools published to allow their bands at football games. This week, I can’t even imagine a band (or fans) in a stadium unless conditions start changing. An empty stadium might be the only way football gets played in 2020. Have you “opted in” or “opted out” on USC season tickets? If the season starts in January, and fans … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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Larry Scott Says Pac-12 Has Four Plans Ready For Football
Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott spoke to the San Jose Mercury News today and said there are four scenarios on the table for this season: Playing all 12 games as scheduled A delayed start Conference-only schedules Moving the season to the spring Scott’s view on whether there is a season has changed because of the recent outbreaks of COVID-19. “I was cautiously optimisti,” Scott said. “But … Continue reading Larry Scott Says Pac-12 Has Four Plans Ready For Football
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Timing Of Online Classes Irks Some Students
USC has to deal with the ever-changing conditions of COVID-19 but its announcement last night struck some students the wrong way because of the timing. The announcement came at 9 p.m. (EDT). July 1 was the rental deadline to for many off-campus apartments, which meant the decision came too late for some students unless you have an understanding landlord. Continue reading Timing Of Online Classes Irks Some Students
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Morning Buzz: USC Recommends Online Courses For Fall
Why a USC student would pay for fall classes became a good question Wednesday night when the university recommended students take all classes online and not live on-campus or close to campus. “While not what we hoped, we are now recommending all undergraduates take their courses online, and reconsider living on or close to campus this semester,” Provost Charles Zukoski and Senior Vice President David … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Recommends Online Courses For Fall
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Ranking Elite 11 QBs
247 Sports rated Miller Moss as the 8th-best QB at the Elite 11 this week. Ty Thompson, who is committed to Oregon, was No. 1 per 247. Did you see who finished No. 2? Brock Vandagriff, who committed to Georgia. That’s JT Daniels’ competition at Georgia in 2021. Elite 11 has its own rankings and named Caleb Williams the MVP. It had Moss ranked No. … Continue reading Ranking Elite 11 QBs
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USC Still Not Retiring Numbers That Are Retired
USC announced this week that transfer guard Drew Peterson will wear No. 11 next season. Why is this news? Because USC retired No. 11, worn by former All-American Bill Sharman, in 2007. USC sometimes says it is honoring jerseys instead of retiring them, so here is an article on USC’s official website on Sharman passing away in 2013: “He had his No. 11 USC jersey … Continue reading USC Still Not Retiring Numbers That Are Retired
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USC Morning Buzz: How Solid Are Commitments?
More than a few readers wondered how solid Jaylin Smith’s commitment to USC is after reading an interview with 247Sports. Smith said his commitment was firm but he wanted to visit other schools. “Yeah like I said, I’ve never seen any other schools outside of USC,” Smith said. “I really want to experience that and have that opportunity to visit some other places and the … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: How Solid Are Commitments?
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Carol Folt Apologizes For Racism Experienced At USC
USC president Carol Folt sent out a letter tonight addressing the “Black at USC” Instagram I wrote about this morning. Folt: “I am deeply moved and saddened by the many devastating stories and experiences of anti-Black racism at USC that our students and alumni are posting. It takes great courage and strength to share these stories publicly, and as President, I apologize for the pain you have … Continue reading Carol Folt Apologizes For Racism Experienced At USC
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USC Receives Commitment From 4-Star Defensive Back
Jaylin Smith, a four-star defensive back from Alemany, has committed to USC. Smith is the third player from Alemany to commit to USC if you count QB Miller Moss, who recently transferred to Mater Dei. He is technically listed as an “athlete” but expected to play defensive back in college. Continue reading USC Receives Commitment From 4-Star Defensive Back
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Former USC Star Damon Bame Dies
Damon Bame, a two-time All-American and member of the 1962 national champions, died last week, according to multiple reports. He was 77. Bame was a left guard and linebacker and intercepted a pass in the famous 1963 Rose Bowl, where USC defeated Wisconsin, 42-37. He was named USC’s outstanding lineman in five of USC’s 10 regular-season games by sports writers and sports casters. He was … Continue reading Former USC Star Damon Bame Dies
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Morning Buzz: Students Offer Perspective On USC
Several USC students have sent me a link to the Black at USC Instagram page, you can find the link here. Below is an example of the page: Meanwhile, a petition has started to save USC alumni clubs. Link here. Continue reading Morning Buzz: Students Offer Perspective On USC
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Will USC Face A Housing Crunch?
Will every dorm going single occupancy, will USC have enough rooms for its freshmen students this fall? I asked a USC employee who deals with admissions this question today. “I think the university is counting on a sizable number of students going remote, commuting if they live locally, or taking the semester off,” the employee said. “I’m sure freshmen will be given priority. In any case, … Continue reading Will USC Face A Housing Crunch?
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USC Announces Some Fall Policies
USC announced some of what the fall semester will look like. The biggest decision is that all campus housing rooms will be single occupancy for the 2020/21 school year. Classes held in person will be limited in size so that students can maintain 6 feet of physical distance during instruction. Lectures will probably be limited to 30-40 students. Large social gatherings will be prohibited A daily … Continue reading USC Announces Some Fall Policies
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USC Winners And Losers Of The Week
WINNERS Lane Kiffin Having Mike Leach around actually makes Kiffin the good guy in Mississippi. Cover ur nose bro @Coach_Leach https://t.co/U5d67NnId1 — Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) June 27, 2020 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js USC athletics Only one positive result out of 69 athletes in the first round COVID-19 tests. Clarence Davis The former star USC tailback and Super Bowl champ turned 71 on Sunday. LOSERS USC Alumni Assn. The … Continue reading USC Winners And Losers Of The Week
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A Max Tuerk Memory
I’ve been wanting to recount a Max Tuerk story for the past week so here’s one: When Tuerk played at USC, the team started wearing those shiny helmets that looked like Christmas bulbs. The helmets also featured a chrome face mask. After the first time USC wore them, Tuerk showed me his face mask. All of the chrome had been chipped off during the game. … Continue reading A Max Tuerk Memory
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Sunday Buzz: A John Wayne-USC Story
You probably heard Saturday about an effort to rename John Wayne Airport in Orange County. That prompted an ex-USC player, who is African American, to call me late Saturday and recount a story from 1973 when Wayne toured the campus. “We took a picture together and the photographer told John Wayne to pull his cap back because there was a shadow on his forehead,” said … Continue reading Sunday Buzz: A John Wayne-USC Story
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USC Saturday Buzz: Memorial For Max Tuerk
End of my run, saw all these surfers and picture and asked a young man who this young man was. He said it was his best friend, former USC star Max Tuerk 26 who died hiking on Father’s Day. His sister is a surfer and she organized a paddle-out. #RIP #surf #SaturdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/CqLPggugwJ — Michele Steer (@Michsteer) June 27, 2020 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Paddle out to honor … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Memorial For Max Tuerk
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USC Has One Athlete Test Positive For COVID-19
USC has had one student-athlete test positive for COVID-19 according to a statement released on Friday. The program tested 69 student-athletes (56 football. 9 men’s water polo team, 3 women’s soccer and 1 men’s basketball). The one positive student-athlete displayed symptoms for COVID-19 prior to being tested, the statement said, and had not begun voluntary workouts. This student-athlete is now in isolation. Continue reading USC Has One Athlete Test Positive For COVID-19
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
Does it feel less likely now than a week ago that football will played in September? Arizona leads the nation in new COVID cases per million. Nine junior-colleges in Arizona will not play any sports in 2020-21. Look at how the American Athletic Conference (AAC) is handling bands and spirit squads: 1) No visiting team bands or spirit squad 2) No on-field performance for the … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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USC and Oregon In Neck-And-Neck Battle
Could it get any closer between USC and Oregon in 247Sports’ team recruiting rankings? Alabama released a powerful video today: “In this moment in history, we can’t be silent.” pic.twitter.com/YF4ndJSpa0 — Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) June 25, 2020 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading USC and Oregon In Neck-And-Neck Battle
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Maybe The Alabama Game Won’t Have Much Of A Crowd
It looked like the USC-Alabama game would have at least a half-full stadium under the latest guidelines from the state of Texas. But Texas had its highest-reported daily figure of cases (5,551) yesterday and the governor has put a “pause” on any further re-opening of the economy. Unless things change, this doesn’t bode well for a fuller stadium vs. Alabama. USA Today reports the Dodgers … Continue reading Maybe The Alabama Game Won’t Have Much Of A Crowd
