Whatever happens this season, it’s probably going to happen with less fans.
It’s not hard to believe more than a few people will have reservations about going to a football stadium, even if it is only half full at the Coliseum. And how many will wear face masks and gloves?
This is where the head-in-sand philosophy of Pat Haden/Lynn Swann/Steve Lopes really hurts.
USC plays New Mexico on Sept. 12. Under perfect conditions, no one wants to go to that game. But under the Coronavirus/Clayvirus double whammy? Forget it.
The 2021 season features San Jose State and BYU. And then there is 2022, a season I would like to social distance from right now: USC hosts Rice on Sept. 3 and Fresno State on Sept. 17. No thank you very much.
Haden, Swann and Lopes dumbed down the USC home schedule on purpose, reasoning it would help the Trojans’ chances for a national title. But you need to give the fans a reason to go.
- Lane Kiffin has donated $20,000 to those struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. Clay Helton? He’s made a few videos.
- Former USC offensive lineman Matt Kalil bought a house in Pasadena for $3.8 million.
I’m going to start a new feature this week called, “I still can’t believe” . . .
- I still can’t believe Clay Helton gave game balls to Mike Bohn and Carol Folt but not Kedon Slovis after the UCLA game. Slovis passed for 515 yards. I’m not sure what Bohn or Folt did: Oh, they kept Helton.
- I still can’t believe USC linebacker Juliano Falanaiko has not apologized to Iowa for kicking a Hawkeyes player in the head at the Holiday Bowl.
- I still can’t believe offensive lineman Marvin Powell is in the College Football Hall of Fame but not the USC Hall of Fame.
- I still can’t believe the New York Yankees, with Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, played a game at USC in 1951.
- Look at this picture of Olivia Jade working out on a rowing machine that was submitted to USC to prove she was a rower. Very convincing.
And now for some history
- When USC played its first season at the Sports Arena in 1959, the Trojans upset Kentucky (coached by Adolph Rupp) and the following week defeated Oklahoma State (coached by Hank Iba).
After the Kentucky game, Rupp complained that only 8,000 showed up at the Sports Arena. Maybe Rupp was just mad he lost by 14 points (87-73).
- Now look at the non-conference schedule for the great 1970-71 USC team: Florida State, Illinois, Michigan State, LSU, Loyola (Chicago), Alabama, Houston, UTEP, Arizona State, Utah, San Francisco and BYU.
Nowadays, Andy Enfield schedules Kansas and the twitter sycophants celebrate like there’s no tomorrow.
- Since I’m talking about the 1970-71 season, maybe someone around USC can have Ron Riley’s number retired (or honored) next season.
Riley averaged 14.2 points and 13.7 rebounds in his USC career. His senior year he averaged 17.4 points and 14.2 rebounds.
A post worth a comment…have to state the wolfman is on point and great pixs too. If I recall correctly Ron Riley was a JC transfer from Riverside CC coached there by the ‘TARK’ …the ncaa favorite target of that era while coaching in vegas.
LikeLiked by 3 people
No, Riley came in the freshman class with Westfall, Nash, Mackie, & Taylor. He played on the 68-69 Frosh team coached by Jim Hefner that was undefeated.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Ron Riley was a low-post player in a small forward’s body. Just a touch over 6’6″, though he was often listed at 6’8″. One of the best rebounders at that size in college hoops.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oh no you just triggered Arturo who hates it when someone knowledgeable corrects another poster. I hope you didn’t actually attend USC, that really melts that snowflake.
LikeLike
hmmm, I guess I am thinking of some one in that same time frame ,late 60’s … I know I watched him play at SC , and it was after John Block graduated and was an all American at SC and even a JC All American.I also remember the Bob Boyd/Jim Hefner coached teams of those years. The only teams I liked better were the John Rudometkin years, a Hancock JC all American and SC all American too…ok I looked at ’67-’68 team…I was thinking of Bill Hewitt ,I thought Tark coached him at Riverside cc , but he went to Mt.Sac according to article I just read. I don’t know why I thought he was at Riverside cc.
LikeLike
I also believe he was a McDonalds All American. What many people may not know is that Mo Layton led the team in scoring almost every game, not Westphal.
LikeLiked by 3 people
If I were a teacher and wanted to give my students an example of what a kiss ass is,
the game ball incident would be it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Clay Helton’s not taking a pay cut , or donating any significant amount of money, because this is his lat hurrah . He’ll probably never coach again after the USC gig, and will never make this kind of money, because he doesn’t have a passion for the game, and not to mention, nobody would hire him 😂
LikeLiked by 3 people
But it’s the Christian thing to do !
And one years pay, even after California taxes, would be enough for Gomer where he’s headed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You mean they don’t pay Pop Warner football coaches?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not cool to be throwing the word virus around or attaching the word to anyone at this time. Have some respect, SW.
LikeLike
Sorry Scott, I know we agree on Clay’s coaching ability but your comment regarding him donating to the Covid effort is a cheap shot. Unless you know something we don’t, your comment is classless.
LikeLike
You mean the Red China Flu? There. that’s better.
LikeLiked by 2 people
borders on biological warfare …they still won’t release real info which would ascertain origin
LikeLike
Yet even coaches who have never met you like Kansas Coach Bill Self won’t give you a minute of their time.
Wolf-“Hello I’m Sco…….”
ANYBODY- “NOT NOW GARGAMEL!”
LikeLike
Oh that’s who you are.
LikeLike
Say what?
LikeLike
I’m hoping to be the villain of this blog for a long time instead of Scott. I wish the Covid-19 virus on the following people: Pat Haden, Lynn Swann, Donna Heinel, Clay Helton & I don’t apologize for my belief in the “Chinese Takeout mortality rate of death which is currently at 2.4% if it ends up being one or more of the above mentioned “RATS”.
LikeLike
Red China Flu. Really!!!! You mean the Trump is a stupid moron who ignored all warnings of the Pandemic Flu. This is what happens when the Electoral College elects a stupid, unqualified, incompetent, malignant narcissist to the most important elective office in the world. Who in their right mind did not know that he would screw up the first and only crisis of his illegitimate presidency.
LikeLike