Yardbarker: USC Trojans

Thoughts of the Day: 10-30-09 (Halloween Edition)

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:26:36 -0500

(Photo by Icon Sports Media) Nothing has been easy this season for the Trojans. It seems like every week they face another tough test on the road. This week it is the Oregon Ducks (6-1, 4-0) and their terrible uniforms. Saturday’s contest will be the fourth road game against a ranked opponent. Also increasing the degree of difficulty is the Trojans must play in Autzen stadium. Even though it only seats 54,000, it is one of the loudest stadiums in the country. And it’s Halloween, so fans ...

Mark Sanchez, Hilary Rhoda Now Actually an Item?

Thu, 21 May 2009 10:04:40 -0500

When it comes to being a rookie quarterback in the NFL, there are always a lot of questions about whether you’re going to make it in the league. For every Peyton Manning that comes a long, there are a hundred Ryan Leafs, so the odds of success are pretty stacked against you. There’s also the [...]

Mark Sanchez: Interview with Yardbarker

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:54:22 -0500

Yardbarker sat down with Mark Sanchez, the quarterback draft prospect out of USC, to talk about his upcoming pro career, his choice to hire his brother as his agent, and how he almost cut those million-dollar fingers off working as a sous-chef in college.

This interview was filmed during Super Bowl week in Tampa at the G Studio. Thanks to Gatorade for hooking us up -- hope they enjoyed my corny plugs!

And best of luck to Mark this weekend... stay tuned to Yardbarker's D raft page for full coverage live from New York.

-AlanaG

The Story of Clay Matthews: Inspiring Others to Chase Their Dreams of a College Football Scholarship

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:33:20 -0500

The story of Clay Matthews III is one that should inspire high school football players across the country dreaming of college football scholarships. A new book, Play College Football, teaches high school football players who are underexposed how to follow in the footsteps of Clay Matthews to get recruited and get a football scholarship. The dream that Clay Matthews began in high school and continued at USC is now about to take its next step with the 2009 NFL Draft. One thing is for sure: Bro...

Mark Sanchez Selects Brother To Be His Agent

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:11:39 -0500

I am definitely biased, but I truly believe that the small percentage that one pays an agent is oftentimes more than worth it. There are so many benefits of having representation over going at it on your own. Myself and others at SportsAgentBlog.com have also been critical of people acting in a sports agent capacity for their family members. Which leads me to this story.. Mark Sanchez, former QB for USC, is being represented by his older brother Nick Sanchez, a business litigator with Theodora Oringher Miller & Richman in Costa Mesa. Not only is Nick a family member, but he has no experience in representing professional athletes in contractual negotiations. Do you really want to jump into that role with a family member who some believe could be the #1 overall pick before you have any experience in the industry? To Nick's credit, he does have a ton of work under his belt in a variety of other legal practice areas and seems to have a strong educational background. I still seem to have an issue with a sports agent being a family member.

Does USC have a Case for that National Championship?

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:23:56 -0500

USC started the season with national title expectations but a major hiccup prevented them from reaching their true potential. But after thrashing Penn State in the Rose Bowl does USC have a case for the national championship? The answer is no.

USC Song Girls at the 2009 Rose Bowl

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:26:00 -0500

As usual, the USC Song Girls were looking good on National Television for the Rose Bowl yesterday. Judging by the search traffic we received on our previous gallery of USC Girls, there does seem to be some demand on the internets for seeing more of these lovely ladies. So to satisfy your desire for photos of Southern Cal girls in tight sweaters, we found some photos of the USC Song Girls from the Rose Bowl yesterday.

All-Time USC Trojan Records

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:53:33 -0500

Not a killer quiz for a USC fan, college football fans should do well on this (nothing too obscure). Enjoy.

USC's Taylor Mays wants a date with Lauren Conrad

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:38:51 -0500

It has been a long time since I have talked about "The Hills" on SCP, but Dr. Saturday now gives me reason to. USC Trojans safety Taylor Mays laid two hits on Arizona tailback Keola Antolin last week; one resulting in knocking the RB out of the game. Why so malicious? Well the source behind his motivation Mays explains; "I like to hit guys hard so if Lauren Conrad and I ever go on a date, she will feel protected." Back up! LC is my girl, you can date Lo. Video of ...

The 3 Top Ten College Football Teams That Shouldn't Be There

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:14:11 -0500

Time to Put These Teams On Ice 1. USC (#6 AP, #4 USA Today) USC has no BIG wins, that are impressive at this point in the season. I know they crushed Ohio State. BUT, Ohio State didn't have their star running back, which at this point in the season is proving to be their only every down option. Without him Ohio States offense has looked stagnate, ranking 108th in passing offense and 70th in scoring. USC also looked terrible against Oregon State. Their only saving grace is that the B...

Another Pac 10 Flop: USC Loses in Corvalis Again! Wow!

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:21:17 -0500

I told USC not to go into Corvalis and assume victory. Pete Caroll told his Trojans the same thing all week. He told them how the Pac 10 has been their downfall every year and how every game was like a championship game if they wanted to play in the real championship game in January. Well they didn't listen and because of that they won't have the number one beside their name when they take the field next week. Heck, I'm not sure what number they will have beside their name.

USC Trojans... LBU

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:57:28 -0500

I'm still lovin that SC game last week. The boys looked awfully good last Saturday, just gotta keep it rollin. I must say it was very weird seeing an SC game in the Coliseum and not being in it. It is the first time I've seen a game there from the outside in. It was cool though. I watched it from our team hotel and I was in SC stuff from head to toe. My beanie, my shirt, my SC sweats. I left no doubt, I was SC'd out! There were a bunch of guys on the team talking trash leading up to the game, mostly SEC guys, all the Florida guys. They just kept saying you're not good enough. They knew afterwards. I haven't heard much from them since then.

USC vs. Ohio State

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:02:55 -0500

When you think about a game like this, USC vs. Ohio State, it's so monumental and the hype is growing you start to think that you need to change the way you prepare. Something inside your stomach gets a little tighter, there are more reporters around you, more cameras around you, more people around you. The atmosphere is different than some of your other games, but somehow you have to create an environment where the players approach every game like it's the big game. They have to treat them all the same as best they can and focus on the little things, because those little things are what decide every game, big or small. The first big game I played in was during my freshman year against UCLA. I was a starter that game and I was thinking about making the big play and forgot about the little things. As a result I made some bone-head plays. One in particular stands out. It was late in the game, we had UCLA down to their last play and my assignment was to cover the tight end. I got caught in the moment, decided to look back in the backfield, lost concentration and thought," I can make a play on the quarterback, I'm not far away I can get there." He threw to the tight end, who was wide open for the score. If it weren't for Frank Jordan our great kicker it would have been the biggest bone-head play in USC history. I thank him every time I see him. But it was a lesson. There are maybe one or two game changing plays that come up in a football game, but you can't force them to come. You have to focus on the little things, follow your assignments and those big moments will present themselves. One thing is for certain, you never want anyone to play hesitant in a big game, because when that big play does come up, that Let's Make A Deal moment, you have to be prepared to make it. My teammate Eric Scoggins has been a big play guy his whole life and he's still making them in his fight against ALS. You are invited to join us in that fight too by participating in our raffle or by reading about Eric's story (http://allstarshelpingkids.org/events/raffle.html). We appreciate your support. Go Trojans!

USC Trojans (aka "LBU") start training camp

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:12:19 -0500

SC started camp the other day. I talked to a couple of the guys --- Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga, Taylor Mays, Allan Bradford --- to get their feedback on how things were going. That's a big part of me and I want to stay connected with my old friends in college. I'll follow them closely all year. I shoot at least 1 or 2 of them a text every day just to share some funny stories. I still talk to Coach Norton and I'm sure I'll talk to him before games. He still gives me some coaching advice. I'll tell him about practice things that I did or didn't do well and he'll start coaching me more as a friend and mentor. I enjoy it.

Just In Mayo No Longer with BDA Management

Thu, 22 May 2008 18:16:59 -0500

Even though there was 'no truth' to the allegations and no one has 'done anything wrong' Mayo and Bill Duffy Associates have parted ways! Andrews went onto to say that all of the speculation was "not fair" to Mayo and "we will request that the Players Association waive the standard 15-day cooling off period enabling O.J. to sign with new representation immediately."

Time for USC to get the death penalty

Mon, 12 May 2008 02:17:30 -0500

What are the odds USC will get away scot free even after this OJ Mayo fiasco?

More Smoke at USC as Mayo Implicated

Sun, 11 May 2008 10:39:22 -0500

Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Dwayne Jarrett and now O.J. Mayo makes for a long list of high-profile USC players tied to allegations of misconduct under NCAA rules. Is it time for some "lack of institutional control" sanctions? A look at the new accusations and a look back at the too-recent past.

Rick Neuheisel Rips Profanity-Laced USC Walk-on Recruiting Video

Sat, 10 May 2008 20:07:04 -0500

The video features Brennan Carroll, an assistant coach under his father Pete. Brennan Carroll proceeds to scream, yell, cuss, and crack his voice like he's 11 at recruits who are no doubt saying to themselves, "What gives this privileged and unaccomplished jackass the right to yell at me?" 3 other things stood out to me when watching this video: 1. I thought it was funny watching Brennan Carroll scream at the top of his lungs, "WORK! WORK! WORK!" when I'd bet the house that the dude hasn't worked a day in his friggin' life. 2. When Brennan Carroll's voice cracks, he's a steaming pile of sex. 3. I love how the end of the video states that out of 25 "perspective" walk-ons, 5 made the team. Yay for those special "perspective walk-ons" and the people that made this fine video. Hookd on Fonix obviously worked for them. Scott Wolf, the USC beat reporter for the Daily News, reports that Rick Neuheisel has been pushing this video on recruits as a way of ripping on USC.

Sanchez named USC's starting QB

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:04:34 -0500

The USC quarterback has become college football's "it" position for this decade and rightfully so. Since 2001 the signal callers for the Trojans have included Heisman trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart as well as Rose Bowl MVP John David Booty. Starting next season the torch will be passed to fourth-year junior Mark Sanchez.

Saying goodbye to USC

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:31:20 -0500

I want to say to my teammates who are entering the Draft and who I have played with over the past four or five years, I've enjoyed every second of it. Whatever team that they go to, the fans and the teammates are going to enjoy these guys just as much as I did. I enjoyed every memory that we had, every championship that we won, and every game that we played. I hope I get a chance to play with some of them again. Here is a video where Keith Rivers and I talk about some of the USC Draft prospects. You may have already seen this on Keith's blog... Thomas