Ronald Jones, who said he is still only 85 percent healthy with his injured hamstring, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds this morning at USC. Deontay Burnett, who also has a sore hamstring, ran a 4.7 40. Burnett said he was only 80 percent. Quarterback Sam Darnold, who was in Cleveland yesterday, switched his flight so he could get back to Los Angeles in … Continue reading Ronald Jones Runs 4.48 At Second USC Pro Day
USC’s last trip to the Final Four was in 1954. And I recently came across a story of how big a hit the USC band was at the Final Four at the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium. Here is how popular Los Angeles radio broadcaster Sam Balter, a former UCLA All-American, broadcast the story on his KLAC program on March 25, 1954: “I never thought I … Continue reading When The USC Band Took Over The Final Four
The Sporting News has its way-too-early Top 25 rankings and USC is No. 12. That seems high to me, given USC’s uncertainty on offense and some legitimate questions on defense. I also question whether the general sloppiness from last season has been addressed or will be corrected. But I would expect USC to be ranked in the top 15 of most preseason polls. USC is … Continue reading USC Ranked No. 12 By Sporting News
Is it even worth mentioning USC’s quarterbacks are struggling this spring? Jack Sears threw another interception Tuesday but the bigger picture is this spring will be remembered for the problems experienced in the battle to replace Sam Darnold. “We have to get them right,” USC quarterbacks coach Bryan Ellis said. “It’s all on us. It’s all on me. I gotta get the quatterbacks understanding what … Continue reading Should This Be Final Word On Quarterbacks?
The above photo is from the 1973 USC-UCLA game. The UCLA back leading the wishbone formation is the great James McAlister, who died last weekend. He was a star in football and track. McAlister was part of a great Blair High School football team that also featured USC safety Charles Phillips (who also played quarterback at Blair) and tailback Kermit Johnson, who went to UCLA. … Continue reading Remembering A Great From USC-UCLA Rivalry
I’ve heard some good things about Joe DeForest, who recently joined the coaching staff and is apparently helping the defense. He is replacing linebackers coach Johnny Nansen during spring practice because Nansen underwent knee surgery. But a writer from West Virginia told me that DeForest’s one season as defensive coordinator was a disaster. The Mountaineers defense allowed 472.5 yards of total offense and 37 points a … Continue reading A USC Coaching Item
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 