FOOTBALL

USC Morning Buzz: No Holding Back On Holding Program Hostage

I didn’t hold back yesterday on my appearance with Petros and Don MacLean when it came to Lincoln Riley and whether three losses is a successful season.

You can listen here. The interview starts around the 17:45 mark.

“I’ve never heard of a three-loss season being called a success at USC,” I said. “Either you’re in the College Football Playoff on a regular basis or you’re not getting it done when you have the resources USC has.”

And on the USC-Notre Dame rivalry?

“What galls me about this, is this guy won’t be here in 10 years. Would USC ever hire a coach that says he can’t beat Notre Dame? Do you think you can beat Notre Dame? `No.’ Well then go somewhere else and coach.”

  • Can you imagine the reaction if an Oregon assistant athletic director walked on to the field while the USC band played at the Coliseum before the game and started taunting the Trojans’ sideline?

Well, the exact opposite situation happened last Saturday and it was extremely embarrassing for USC. You can watch it here.

It’s amazing Jen Cohen tolerates this.

121 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: No Holding Back On Holding Program Hostage”

    3. KAM: All Fake News Media libs like the Perky One Katie Couric use the cowardly “Some wonder” and Some Say” instead of owning what they are saying.

      DON: Yes it’s weaselly.

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    1. Ha! [He thought the players were gonna back him up].

      #ThatWasBeforeTheKickOutOfBounds,The90YardReturnForT.D.,……TheMissed15FootFieldGoal…..

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      1. And before the penalty on leaping that shouldn’t have been a penalty:

        From the rules guy whom Scottie quotes:

        “This is not a foul for leaping,” McAulay wrote on social media. “The player must leap into plane directly above the frame of an opponent.

        “He leaps into the gap. The fact that part of his body is over part of an opponent does not violate the rule.”

        https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/trojans/football/2025/11/24/rules-analyst-discusses-usc-football-penalty-oregon/87444584007/

        Liked by 4 people

      2. New Big Ten Rule: Don’t even try to block field goals….

        #…BetterToJustLetThemHappen..

        #[WhoWantsToSeeSomethingAsUnexcitingAsBlockedFG]?

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    1. 100%! Think about what Scott represents: The Loyal Opposition. We all know Scott holds USC to traditions & standards it no longer seems capable of sustaining—but we get a kick outta watching him do it. The Wolfman knows his insistence on those standards will provoke “Ken-types” [whose presence I appreciate, btw —at least, way more than the “haters”]….. but Scott, in the words of Cyrano, “fights on & on.”

      Another thing about the haters — this is Thanksgiving week. Whose soul is so dead, whose life is so empty, that he shovels hate during this of all weeks?

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      3. Hi 67,

        Hotel Wailea’s kitchen will be doing all the work for the Guarino Crew this year…. haven’t tried this before [hope it’s good]!!

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      7. KAM: Or like The code of honor  that obliges Don Quixote to defend the honor of his lady, Dulcinea de Tobolso, and thus to accept the other knight’s challenge.

        DON: Riley Coyote is the latest knight that Scott must vanquish.

        Liked by 2 people

      8. …and, like the Magnificent Don, Scott’s quests are “triumphs of daring if not always triumphs of succeeding”…..

        — USC Professor Peter Clothier’s Comment On “Don Quixote”

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Next year, there could be 5 losses with OSU, ND, Indiana, Penn St, and the quacks.

      5 losses would/should engage termination.

      Not that I am hoping for that…

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      1. On the bright side –some of the tough games are at home, Indiana loses the very talented senior class that’s made the difference for them this year, USC will hopefully shore up BOTH lines with the incoming class….

        #WashingtonIsGonnaBeTough….ManyPlayersAreFrosh&Soph

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      3. KAM: In the era of NIL programs reload every year. Land a top QB and you have it made.

        DON: We lost 22 players last year after the bowl game. We started a walk on at RB this year. There is no stability.

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      4. The more success a football program has the more stability the program will enjoy because existing won’t be leaving and blue chip recruits will be lining up to enter the school

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  8. One thing to be thankful for over this Thanksgiving weekend is the SC-ucla game. Players in this game over the years say it is unlike any other football game they ever played in. This is the game they want, this is the game they will always recall

    Of course it would help if both teams were on relatively equal footing unlike in 2025

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    1. John, I wish this was still the “city championship” that would bring LA to a halt on that Saturday.

      Back with McKay and Prothro, the best LA players were at one of those schools. They all knew each other and this was a live/die game.

      Today, the gutties suck, few players from LA on either team, Riley doesn’t care, and the alums from either university who remain greatness on both sides declines each year.

      And with that note, Happy Thanksgiving, Brother!

      Trojans 38, gutties 20.

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      2. One thing …actually two things …worry me: Nico WILL play [injury stories are in bad faith] and Chris Trevino said USC players looked ‘down’ at Tuesday practice [and Lincoln isn’t exactly known for getting the team jacked up for a game]….

        Liked by 2 people

      3. KAM: This is the classic “trap game”.

        DON: Yes =, USC was sky high for Oregon and how do they motivate this week against a 3-8 team?

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      4. We will NOT face the bruin team that played Washington…. or anything close to it…. we can only pray that our coaches and players understand this…..

        #IThinkThePlayersDo…

        #…I’mNotSureAboutLincoln….

        Liked by 2 people

    2. KAM: One thing to be thankful for- Cowardly Sparrow Gabby’s Senile Joe Regime has been deposed!

      DON: …and all the corruption of the last 4 year is being exposed!

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    1. It was back in the day…could be again. Saban said early this season that he missed coaching a lot (maybe it was just cheap talk, but you never know). Give him a few years with USC, and he can advise on his successor.

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  10. Personally, I come here only for posters and comments alike. Nothing “Inside” about this blog. Feels more like a scorned lover writing about getting kicked to the curb…think Taylor Swift writing a blog. Though, I do like the Friday’s column.

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    3. KAM: The stories of Trojans Past like Dave Levy is definitely Inside USC.

      DON: In this era only gamblers and the Mafia get access to Riley Coyote’s program.

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      1. Not true!! Real insiders who kiss up to Riley get to watch the players walk to the field….before getting ushered out…..

        #AsTrevino[Humorously]Said…

        #…”YouCanTellALOTByTheWayTheyWalk…”

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    4. 67 —After the umpteenth “too many men on the field” penalty on field goal tries, Baxter [our “special” team coach] actually said “well, they need to blame this on somebody, so I guess they can blame it on me..”

      #NoSh+t…..

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      2. Whatever happened to Joe Louis’ “I do my talking in the ring”?

        [btw, in a boxing match, both guys have consented to getting punched in the mouth for 3 minutes ten or 12 times in a row with one minute breaks in between each 3 minute round —punching a guy during the break is not consented to and could be charged as battery —- I wonder if that principle applies to walking off the field of play in a football game to start a fight with the opposing team]?

        Liked by 2 people

  11. Back in the day, the LA Times would run a story every day of USC/UCLA week. This week so far?

    Nada.

    Just one USC story, which is a post-mortem of the Oregon game. Topics are the leaping penalty that shouldn’t have been a penalty, the O-line not being deep enough, and Tanook Hines as next year’s start deep WR.

    It was good to see Hines get a ton of catches for 164 yards. He is the fastest guy on the team with speed close to Zachariah Branch, maybe faster in the 100.

    Hard to believe another disappointing season coming to an end. I know So Cal likes a close game, but I am hoping for a total takedown of the gutties.

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    1. 67 —I think your call [38-20] will be just about right [58 is over/under….USC favored by 18-20….]…..

      #That’sTheWayThisThingSHOULDPlayOut….

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    2. KAM: Those were the days my friend…

      DON: I remember the incredible atmosphere in the Coliseum during those 1970s matchups. 1976 might have been my favorite of all the games I attended with #2 USC vs #3 UCLA. The buildup and atmosphere was incredible with half the stadium USC, half UCLA. The game was a decisive USC win and Bruin fans hopes were crushed.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCNz3DBg5qwlol

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  12. love it when Petros plays Zevon’s Wherewolf into music, he is one of the few who recognize wolfman’s impact and legacy in soCA journalism. wolfman is the last active member of the all-time sports press Pantheon: Murray, Healy, Mud, Durslag, Big Joe, Krikorian, John Hall and Wolf.

    another virtuoso radio performance, wolfman, your commanding baritone voice is perfect for radio. of course your rugged manly mug could be used by Hollywood, i know for a fact you turned down several offers to appear in action movies in the 80’s and 90’s, roles that eventually went to Bruce Willis and Mel Gibson, among others.

    the rumor in Hollywood circles is that the Studio big wigs were concerned about you always having cheerleaders in your trailer on set which they thought would result in endless scandals. your refusal to quit shacking up was your downfall in Hollywood, but as usual you did it your way. propers, Blood Brother.

    #JustLikeSinatra

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    1. Good call, Charlie. The Wolfman is Errol Flynn as General Custer in “They Died With Their Boots On”……

      #Murray, Durslag, Furrillo….

      #Wolf:LastManStanding…

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      1. I notice Bucket not bringing up the gutty’s last 4 games:

        0-4

        Average loss of about 46-13.

        It could have been worse had OSU not emptied the bench halfway through the first quarter…

        Could it be

        (a) the 80 yard practice field

        (b) one bad coach after another

        (c) sucla just sucks

        (d) all of the above

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Charlie is looking the other way on that stuff —but at least he’s fun to read.

        I can’t stress enough the fact we WON’T be seeing the hapless UCLA team on Saturday….. we’re gonna see the guys who won a couple of games mid season—–

        #WE…..

        #ARE….

        #ALL….

        #THEY LIVE FOR….

        [WHILE I’M TYPING CAPITAL LETTERS, I SURE DO HOPE OUR BEST PAL GEORGE TIREBITTER SHOWS UP THIS WEEK]!!!!!!

        Liked by 2 people

  14. To the two National Guard members who gave their lives today, courtesy of the division, hate & violence being promulgated by the Left, thank you for your service.

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    1. Are they confirmed dead?

      [They might be keeping them on life support until families are contacted —but the outcome will be the same]….

      This time the left may have gone too far……

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      1. Governor said they were dead. Mark Meredith, Fox News, said he hadn’t been able to confirm and hoped he was mistaken.

        I got a Newsbreak alert on my phone saying “killed”. So, hopefully, that too is wrong.

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      2. KAM: This is all part of an orchestrated push since the Democrats lost power a year ago.

        Question the legitimacy of the President (Stop the Coup), question the lawfulness of the orders he issues (don’t follow “illegal” orders and use the judiciary to tie up anything he tries to do), and signal the sleeper cells to eliminate the ‘illegal orders’ followers.

          The Seditious Six declared his legal orders illegal, said you should not follow them, and now someone takes action.

          Just like their incitement that led to two a s s a s s i n a t i o n attempts on Trump and the successful a s s a s s i n a t i o n of Charlie Kirk, this is an escalation of the Mainstream Moderate Democrat violence to shoot any who follow Trump’s orders.

          DON: It’s another Color Revolution brought to you by your good friends at the Deep State..

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        1. Yep. Unfortunately the folks who rely on mainstream news are blissfully unaware of what is going on under their noses….and how dangerous it could become…..

          Liked by 1 person

        2. The ones who pretend that the conflicts that erupted from 2021-2024 were merely “coincidences”.

          Otherwise, they’d have to admit to all the blood that is on their hands. They won’t do that. As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss. And they have a whole lot of ignorance!

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        3. Micky G: the Left??? i suppose due to geography, news takes 24 hrs to hit the Islands? an Afghani ex-CIA spook with unknown motives is suddenly a Democrat? and the Ayatollah is a hippy?

          #AndTrumpWasShotInTheEar

          #TwoInchesToTheRight

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    2. what a terrible dastardly and cowardly attack – let’s all keep these 2 Guard Members and their families in our thoughts.

      this Trojan hoops team has a pretty good roster and is gonna surprise a lot of people. Unlike the Andy Enfield days they run an actual offense and Muss is a pretty good game day coach.

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    3. Most of the Big-10 basketball teams are doing well in the early season games, so the jury is still out on the Trojans, but Muscleman appears to be a good judge of talent

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      1. KAM: USC Men’s Basketball Fans have been fooled before with the Fool’s Gold of easy victories over unranked teams in November and December.

        DON: We won’t know how good this team is until January 2nd when they play at snowy sub zero Ann Arbor against #7 MICH.

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        2. BYU would sure help ignite Lincoln’s hot seat.

          Wolf needs to find out if Lincoln’s contract has the same clauses as Franklin’s! I wouldn’t expect to cut our buyout cost by 80%, the way Penn State did. But I would hope we could cut it by 40-50%.

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    4. KAM: It is Thanksgiving, a day where food is king. Did you know that in the United States more people die of too much food than of too little

      DON: I’m not surprised. That’s why I never eat more than I can lift

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      1. KAM: Chuck Schumer in 1996: “The number one reason people come to the US illegally is to defraud systems like social security and I want to stop it.”

        DON: 30 years ago Clinton Democrats were for closed borders and the American working man. 3 decades later the Senile Joe Democrats promoted an invasion of America of 30 million illegal aliens and call sending them back to be “racist”..

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        2. KAM: Cowardly Sparrow Gabby misses the good ole days of 9% inflation and the Senile Joe Regime allowing the invasion of tens of millions of illegals, flooding in to all 50 states.

          DON: Yes her pal the Murderous Muslim Rahmanullah Akanwal was living in Bellingham, Washington. I’m sure he votes Democrat!

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    5. KAM: The American people are still waiting on your promise that grocery prices will be dropping

      DON: That’s why I’m lobbying for a 3rd term in case it doesn’t happen during my second

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        1. It’s funny how holiday sales, which are temporary, and done by the stores, and happen every year, are being used to claim trump has brought down prices.

          Just more confirmation bias from fake gabby the blog freak. Who is constantly claiming a trump victory, just got her cr0tch caved in

          HAHA!

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        2. KAM: It’s funny that  Brain dead Vile antisemitic and racist Board Pest Board Cancer Cowardly Gabby aka Sparrow Calypso aka TebowObama aka Charlie Bucket the UCLA Fan aka The Guy who posts as Buddhakarma & So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & Trojan RJJ & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse and TrojanFan 1-3 & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young and KATHY and Foreskin Thoughts and SCOTTLOVESTHEROOOOOTTÞ and Manureman and eric  and Smacky and Susan has the sads after her Bruins were annihilated by UW last Saturday!

          DON: And Cowardly Gabby’s Bruins lost to the Mildcats and crummy Cal in basketball! She will go on a spamathon to medicate her pain.

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    6. agree on real test coming Jan 2 at UM.

      happy Thanksgiving all. Grilling a nice Harris Ranch prime rib paired with a 2018 Santa Cruz Mtns Cab Franc. All CA! Let’s hope for a focused team taking the field Saturday. USC 27- FUCLA 5 (Maiava takes a safety to run out the clock)

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    7. agree on real test coming Jan 2 at UM.

      happy Thanksgiving all. Grilling a nice Harris Ranch prime rib paired with a 2018 Santa Cruz Mtns Cab Franc. All CA! Let’s hope for a focused team taking the field Saturday. USC 27- FUCLA 5 (Maiava takes a safety to run out the clock)

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        1. KAM: Thanksgiving Guidelines by Governor Mimbo aka Gavin Newsomhttps://x.com/TheKevinDalton/status/1993465807872164063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1993772791687205029%7Ctwgr%5E460608ce16d461e571d44fa5c27bdfaa9d9604a7%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Finstapundit.com%2F759038%2Flol

          General Safety Measures

          • Gatherings should be limited to members of the same household.
          • If gathering with others, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet.
          • Face coverings are required in public spaces and when social distancing is not possible.

          Eating and Drinking Protocols

          • Attendees may remove face coverings briefly to eat or drink.
          • Face coverings must be put back on immediately after eating or drinking.
          • Avoid singing and shouting, as these activities can increase the risk of virus transmission.

          Additional Recommendations

          Follow any local health department guidelines that may be in place.

          Gatherings should be held outdoors whenever possible.

          Limit the number of attendees.

          DON: Remember this only applies to us peasants, not Governor Mimbo. He will be having Thanksgiving at The French Laundry.

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        2. Happy Thanksgiving, all!

          Be careful grilling that prime rib, Romping! [I always screwed up — which is why I’m not allowed anywhere near prime rib anymore]….-

          Liked by 1 person

    8. Great Trojan moments in the SC-ucla football series–

      1973 at the Coliseum and ucla’s Blair Pair figure to plaster SC, but the Trojan defense mutes them in a 23-13 performance. I had painted on my car “Muzzle Bruins” as a ucla bus passes me by and the bruins then proceed to throw cups of beer on my car

      2004 at the Rose Bowl with SC going for 2 in a row National Championships as ucla gives SC a scare but 2 long Reggie Bush touchdowns set up a later Oklahoma slaughter

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    9. Everybody recalls the 1967 OJ game, but preceding that was the 1965 Beban miracle game and the 1966 2nd string ucla quarterback victory. When Coach McKay finally beat ucla’s Coach Tommy Prothro, McKay said, “Maybe now people will stop calling me ‘stupid'”

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      1. KAM: Except John McKay had already defeated UCLA in 1960, 1962, 1963 and 1964 . So even after losing in 1965 and 1966 his record at that point was 4-2 and he had already won a NC in 1962.

        DON: So only stupid people would complain, kind of like the stupid Democrats complaining when the price of Thanksgiving has dropped since 2023.

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        2. Missed the point as usual. McKay lost to Prothro 2 times in a row, and no coach likes to lose 3 in a row

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      1. First off: I think pretending Nico is hurt is SO punk. Bruins deserve to get slaughtered for that subterfuge.

        And…

        …It will only be close in the first half if USC plays their brand of Illinois/NotreDame/Oregon ‘stupid-ball’ …… dumb penalties, dumb throws into triple coverage, long gains followed by a fumble.

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        1. KAM: Pretending?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xvoGMqz4loIamaleava, who left UCLA’s 48-14 home loss to the Washington Huskies in the third quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit, is currently listed as day-to-day with neck spasms, according to Bruins interim coach Tim Skipper.

          DON: Before leaving the game, Iamaleava threw for 69 yards on 16-of-26 passing. So he isn’t going to matter either way at this point- UCLA stinks!

          Like

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