You probably saw Lincoln Riley finally visited Mater Dei High School on Friday after ignoring the prospect-laden school for a long time. But did you see this quote in the Orange County Register? “It was a great start to our relationship,” Mater Dei coach Raul Lara said. Start? Lara got hired in April. And Riley waited seven months to see him. Why now? My guess … Continue reading Lincoln Riley Discovers Mater Dei

You want a dose of reality today: USC starts the day in 15th place in the Big Ten. Would anyone have believed that two months ago? Lincoln Riley stood at the groundbreaking of the football complex with a big grin on his face this week, meanwhile his team is 15th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten. You know who is 16th? Maryland, who … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: A Jarring Fact To Greet Weekend

Here is some good news: USC will not lose a football game on Saturday. Washington coach Jedd the Fisch gave out 10 game balls after the victory over USC. That’s even more than Clay Helton ever gave out. During Thursday’s groundbreaking for the new USC football building, donor Ron Bloom stood next to Lincoln Riley. “It’s Ron Bloom and Bloomin’ Idiot,” a USC employee told … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Carol Folt’s “special announcement” today was that long-time donor Ronald H. Bloom has donated $50 million to the new football building. On the one hand, it’s great to get a $50 million gift. On the other hand, it shows USC doesn’t really have new donors it can go to for athletic donations. Bloom, 91, and his family already donated for the Bloom Family Tunnel, which … Continue reading Loyal Alumnus Donates $50 Million To Football Center

The season may be over but it’s time to break ground on Lincoln Riley’s pet project, the $200 million football facility. Riley, Carol Folt and Jen Cohen will be at a ceremony today at 11 a.m. It’s quite a look to have this project going while USC has its first layoffs in 10 years and slashes budgets across campus. “We need to build it or … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Time For Some Groundbreaking!

QUARTERBACK It’s time to see what Jayden Maiava can do. But the QB whisperer hasn’t enhanced his reputation with the way he’s tried to shoehorn Miller Moss into his philosophy instead of trying a game plan that worked around Moss’s weaknesses. Grade: D RUNNING BACKS Woody Marks is a pretty good running back if he just gets enough carries. Grade: A- WIDE RECEIVERS Who has … Continue reading USC-Washington Report Card