Blog

Giving a clinic
03-28-2008 10:05 p.m.

The first night of the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic is coming to close soon following an introductory speech by Coach Carroll and break-out sessions with all of the USC position coaches, who each went through their overall philosophies and practice demonstrations.

Saturday, the more than 500 coaches at the USC-hosted clinic will attend nine lecture sessions with guest speakers from the NFL, college and high school level. Here are some of the highlighted topics and speakers for Saturday’s final day of the clinic:

- The Air Force Offense: Troy Calhoun • Head coach, Air Force
- Training the Explosive Athlete: Chris Carlisle • Head strength and conditioning coach, USC
- Georgia’s Shallow Cross Package: Mark Richt • Head coach, Gerogia
- Beaver Practice Format: Mike Riley • Head coach, Oregon State
- BYU Football: Tradition, Spirit & Honor: Bronco Mendenhall • Head coach, BYU
- Special Teams Presentation: Al Everest • Special teams coordinator, San Francisco 49ers


Coach Carroll (far right) introduces the USC coaching staff to kick off the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic at the Galen Center on Friday night.


Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian gives a lecture on USC’s quarterback philosophy during break-out sessions Friday night.

Pictures from the day
03-28-2008 7:09 p.m.

See the images of Friday’s practice in the latest feature from USCRipsIt.

Game-like feel
03-28-2008 6:35 p.m.

The final team period featured a 15-minute “move the ball” session (a controlled scrimmage) with each of the three quarterbacks getting at least one opportunity to lead a drive. And the offense did not disappoint, scoring three touchdowns and a field goal in the limited action. Here are the scorers from the mini scrimmage:

- Tailback Allen Bradford went untouched on a 30-yard touchdown run after the offensive line cleared a humongous hole up the middle.
- Tailback Stafon Johnson ran for a short touchdown up the middle, which included an earth-shaking collision with Rey Maualuga at the goal line.
- Kicker Jordan Congdon nailed a 36-yard field goal on the Trojans’ only field goal attempt of the period.
- Tailback Broderick Green bulled over a defensive back and into the end zone for a short touchdown.

Spotlight
03-28-2008 6:33 p.m.

Friday’s practice was brimming with spectacular individual performances. Check out some of the highlights:

- Tailback C.J. Gable posted a hat trick of sorts on one play in team period, as he faked the hand off on play action, cracked defensive tackle Fili Moala at the line and then bounced out to receive a pass before snaking away for a good gain.
- Safety Kevin Ellison registered a pinball interception on a deep ball in team period — cornerback Cary Harris tipped the pass, which bounced off wideout Travon Patterson’s shoulder pads and then bounded away before Ellison made an athletic catch.
- Wideout Patrick Turner recorded a magnificent diving catch on the right sideline on a perfectly placed ball from Mark Sanchez.
- Near the end of the final team period, tight end Anthony McCoy had an overpowering reception over a defensive back along the sideline, all while tiptoeing his feet in bounds.

Dispatch from Howard Jones
03-28-2008 6:32 p.m.

Thoughts from Friday’s practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt…

- The first-ever “Matchup Friday” featured high-powered one-on-one and team battles throughout the two-hour practice, which ended in a 15-minute controlled scrimmage dominated by the offense. “The competition out here today challenges you to be great,” Coach Carroll said in the post-practice huddle. “It makes you battle every single play.”
- The offense worked extensively on red zone plays in 1-on-1 drills, 7-on-7 period and the final team period Friday, focusing heavily on scoring touchdowns instead of settling for field goals.
- During 1-on-1s, the wide receivers and cornerbacks practiced stock blocking on the perimeter, and wide receivers coach John Morton was overflowing with enthusiasm throughout the drill. “I can’t get enough of this,” he yelled.
- More than 500 high school and junior college coaches, who were in attendance because of this weekend’s Nike Coach of the Year Clinic at USC, ringed the practice field, giving Friday’s session a special energy.

Time to go
03-28-2008 3:45 p.m.

The Trojans are heading out to Howard Jones field, site of the first full-contact practice of the spring. As the coaches tell their players, “You either hit or get hit,” so it should be a feisty practice.

We’ll return in a few hours with a report from Practice No. 3 of the spring.

Same thing every day
03-28-2008 3:34 p.m.

During Thursday’s team meeting, Coach Carroll told the team about today’s Coaches Clinic, which will attract more than 500 coaches to practice this afternoon, and then had an appeal for his players.

“Let’s put on a show for them,” he said Thursday.

But today, he recanted his request.

“I asked myself, ‘Coach, you want them to put on a special show for these coaches?’” Carroll told the team during this afternoon’s meeting. “Hell no! Let them see who we are. We don’t change how we play because of who’s watching us, whether it’s the first game of the season or the last game of the season or at spring practice.

“We put on a show every day.”

Matching up
03-28-2008 3:21 p.m.

There’s “Tell the truth Monday,” “Competition Tuesday” and “Turnover Wednesday.”

Add another one to the list: “Matchup Friday.”

Coach Carroll introduced the latest themed day to the Trojans during this afternoon’s team meeting, and he’s hoping to bring out the best in his players through various highlighted one-on-one battles throughout the next four Friday practices this spring.

Today’s matchups are:

- Wideout Patrick Turner vs. cornerback Cary Harris
- Tight end Rhett Ellison vs. linebacker Michael Morgan
- Center Kris O’Dowd vs. nose guard Christian Tupou
- Offensive tackle Charles Brown vs. defensive end Everson Griffen
- Tailback C.J. Gable vs. linebacker Malcolm Smith
- (Coaching matchup of the day) Running backs coach Todd McNair vs. linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr.

Getting the ball
03-28-2008 3:13 p.m.

Defensive coaches have been emphasizing taking the ball away from the offense during practice, and the results are showing.

The Trojan defense recorded 71 strip attempts during Thursday’s practice, an all-time record for one practice in Coach Carroll’s tenure at USC.

It paid off with a forced fumble Thursday, and, if all goes as planned, the philosophy should pay off this fall in games.

Bookworm
03-28-2008 2:31 p.m.


Receiver Damian Williams studies his playbook while laying on the floor of the Heritage Hall lobby as he waits for the team meeting to start Friday afternoon.

Down to business
03-28-2008 2:08 p.m.

The special teams meeting is getting started now, and today’s focuses on the punt return unit. The team meeting follows, and practice is on the field at 4 p.m.

Staying home
03-28-2008 12:42 p.m.

The Coliseum may look like this right now, but it’ll be back to hosting football for the April 19 Trojan Huddle, USC’s annual spring scrimmage.

Whether the gridiron will look something like this or just its regular old self for the scrimmage remains to be seen.

While the state of the field and the kickoff time are still up in the air for the scrimmage, the Trojans will definitely be playing at the Coliseum for the Trojan Huddle in three weeks, director of football operations Dennis Slutak said.

Because of the field adjustments made for Saturday’s Dodgers-Red Sox game, Slutak and the Trojans had been unsure of whether the Coliseum would be suitable for the Huddle. But Coach Carroll made an executive decision Friday morning to have the scrimmage at the Trojans’ long-time home, so the Huddle will be where it’s always been.

The starting time will be announced shortly. Tickets are $11.50 for the scrimmage and can be purchased online or by calling (213) 740-GOSC.

The playbook cover
03-28-2008 11:40 a.m.

Here’s the offensive playbook cover for the spring. It was designed by USC football office assistant Deb Goldstein.

Visiting coaches
03-28-2008 10:36 a.m.

Today’s practice is closed to the public because USC is hosting the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic, beginning this afternoon and going through Saturday night.

More than 500 high school and junior college coaches have registered to attend the clinic, which will feature presentations from the USC coaching staff, Georgia coach Mark Richt, Oregon State coach Mike Riley and many more.

On the agenda
03-28-2008 9:42 a.m.

Here’s a look at the Trojans’ practice schedule for the next few days. All practices are held on Howard Jones field.

- Today, 4 p.m. • Half pads
- Sunday, 11 a.m. • Full pads
- Tuesday, 4 p.m. • Half pads

Sing it out
03-28-2008 9:18 a.m.

With Santana tunes booming in the football office, the Trojan coaches are coming together for their morning staff meeting in the War Room on Day 3 of Spring Practice 2008.

Get the special treatment
03-28-2008 9:06 a.m.

Attend one of USC’s spring practices as a special guest of the program in a contest brought to you by USCRipsIt and A Better LA. All you have to do is add your e-mail address to the USCRipsIt mailing list to enter the contest.

Read more about the special contest here.

Short porch
03-28-2008 8:31 a.m.

Take a nifty look at how Saturday’s Dodger-Red Sox game will change the Coliseum in this cool graphic from the L.A. Times.

A look ahead
03-27-2008 7:14 p.m.

For the first time this spring, the Trojans will practice on back-to-back days, so rest will be key for the players tonight. To top it off, Friday’s practice will be in half-pads, so the hits will be coming.

Day Two of Spring Practice 2008 is in the books.

Images of the day
03-27-2008 7:10 p.m.

Check out the photos from Thursday’s practice in the newest feature from USCRipsIt.

Strong D
03-27-2008 6:31 p.m.

The defense continued its suffocating play Thursday, batting down several passes at the line during team period and registering a victory for the second straight day. The triumph elicited “13 more!” chants from several defensive players, suggesting they could sweep the spring practices.

But, as is tradition, the offense should get its rhythm and come back with a strong performance soon enough.

Will that happen Friday?

Dispatch from Howard Jones
03-27-2008 6:30 p.m.

Thoughts from Thursday’s practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt…

- It was a deluge of turnovers for the teeming Trojan defense on “Turnover Thursday,” as their ball-hawking focus paid off big time. Linebacker Malcolm Smith had his hand in two of the three takeaways, recording an interception and a deflection that led to a pick by cornerback Justin Hart. Linebacker Luthur Brown forced a fumbled on a Joe McKnight reception that was recovered by the dogpiling defense.
- Other than the fumble, McKnight had a outstanding day, reeling off long runs and spectacular receptions throughout practice. After a dominant catch in 1-on-1 drills, quarterback Mark Sanchez ecstatically ran down the field shouting, “That a way to play, 4!”
- To complete the two-hour practice, the Trojans had a “move the ball” period, during which each quarterback had a series to run the offense in a game-like scenario. Mark Sanchez, Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp all turned in efficient performances with a couple spectacular plays each.

Ready for some football
03-27-2008 3:52 p.m.

The Trojans are walking out to Howard Jones field for the second practice of the spring, and their final session without contact until the last week of practice. With the lack of contact, the emphasis is on speed, sharpness and focus at the line of scrimmage.

It’s another perfect day in L.A., with 67-degree, sunny weather soaking Howard Jones this afternoon. We’ll return in a few hours with a report.

Welcome back
03-27-2008 3:31 p.m.

For the first time this spring, the offense will introduce audibles and shotgun plays during today's practice.

Kicking it off
03-27-2008 3:14 p.m.

Today’s practice will feature a period for the kickoff team, something Coach Carroll made a special point about during this afternoon’s team meeting.

Since the kickoff unit will more than likely take the first play of the 2008 season, Carroll said it was of utmost importance this spring to find the 11 players who will set the tone for the team and the season with their electrifying effort.

Becoming the best
03-27-2008 3:05 p.m.

The team meeting just concluded following a viewing of the highlights from Tuesday’s practice and a short speech by Coach Carroll.

Today is turnover day in Trojanland, so Carroll stressed the importance of ball security to the offense and taking away the ball to the defense.

“The emphasis has got to be the best in order for us to become the best,” Carroll told the team.

It’s a man’s, man’s, man’s world
03-27-2008 2:07 p.m.

The James Brown tunes are blasting, so you know Coach Carroll is hard at work.

With the Godfather of Soul blaring over his office stereo, Carroll is reviewing some last-minute film from Tuesday’s practice before the team meeting begins at 2:15 p.m.

Time to get up offa that thing; the second day of Spring Practice has arrived.

Media time
03-27-2008 1:48 p.m.

Coach Carroll is currently on the phone with Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Spielman for their daily radio show on an ESPN affiliate in Columbus, Ohio, discussing the importance of competition and other Spring Practice-related topics.

The audio of the show should be available here within the next day.

Medicine men
03-27-2008 12:09 p.m.

As the off-season churned on, they modestly went about their work, arriving to work at 5 a.m. and staying to help athletes well into the night.

As Spring Practice started Tuesday, they anxiously watched as their players went through drills, testing their surgically repaired bodies for the first time in live football action.

As practice ended Tuesday evening, they quietly shuffled off the field, not garnering even a glance from the media horde.

But it’s the underappreciated efforts of the athletic training staff that allowed the Trojans to convene for practice at essentially full strength after an off-season that included 14 operations for the team. Only one potential starter, nose tackle Averell Spicer, could not participate in Tuesday's practice.

The long hours and short appreciation are all part of the job, the thankless job, for the highly valuable athletic trainers. But, as they say, the reward is seeing the athletes heal and return to the field.

Russ Romano guides USC's athletic medicine program, overseeing all Trojan sports with a special focus on football. Additionally, Paul Diaz runs the student trainer program and assists with football's athletic medicine duties along with Chris Grosskopf and David Borchardt, while John Meyer is in charge of USC’s cutting-edge rehabilitation program.

The five newest Trojans
03-27-2008 11:47 a.m.

Here are mini bios on the newest walk-ons, who will begin practicing today with the Trojans:

- Matt Hillier, TE-FB #41, 6-3, 205, Redshirt junior, La Canada (Loyola) [***Has played opposite hitter on the USC men’s volleyball team during the last two seasons, seeing action in two matches]

- Spencer Spiegel, Safety #34, 5-11, 185, Redshirt freshman, Los Angeles (Harvard-Westlake)

- Jonathan DeAmaral, WR #49, 6-2, 205, Redshirt freshman, Prunedale (North Monterey County)

- Preston Cavignac, WR #87, 6-0, 190, Redshirt sophomore, San Diego (Francis Parker)

- Drew Ness, WR #28, 6-0, 190, Redshirt freshman, San Diego (Westview) [***Was a student manager during the 2007 season]

Pursuing a dream
03-27-2008 10:50 a.m.

Brent Yoshida walked on to the Trojans in spring 2006.

Now he’s gunning for bigger stages.

The inspirational kickoff coverage man — USC’s only starting non-scholarship player in 2007 — has been devotedly training since the Rose Bowl, aiming to make an impression at next week’s Pro Day and another scouting combine in May so that he can compete professionally, either in the NFL, Arena League or Canadian League.

“I just want to play,” said the 23-year-old Yoshida, who played high school football in Huntington Beach.

This spring, he’s been working out with a personal trainer in Costa Mesa to improve his footwork as a defensive back, a position he began at before getting switched to wide receiver and special teams in 2007.

“I’m working to get my times right,” he said.

Besides his workouts, Yoshida is also a full-time architecture student, a load most people have trouble managing without a very important side interest.

“We’re proud of Brent that he’s pursuing his dreams of playing professional football,” Coach Pete Carroll said, “and we’re rooting for him to succeed in this endeavor.”

Pete Carroll, a writer
03-27-2008 10:06 a.m.

The Win Forever philosophy means a lot to Coach Carroll.

It apparently has a great impact on others as well.

Coach Carroll has been touched by the response he’s received concerning “Win Forever,” especially one e-mail in particular, and he’s written a short piece about it.

Read his words in the newest article from USCRipsIt, and be sure to send in your “Win Forever” stories to Ben@PeteCarroll.com.

We up!
03-27-2008 9:42 a.m.

With yelps of “We up,” it’s now time for the coaches to gather in the War Room for their morning staff meeting, during which they’ll discuss today’s practice, watch film from Tuesday’s session and go through various logistics of the job with director of football operations Dennis Slutak.

On the agenda
03-27-2008 9:29 a.m.

Spring’s second practice is on the field at 4 p.m. today, and the Trojans will be in only helmets for the final non-contact session before going to half-pads Friday. Without a Wednesday practice all spring, Thursdays will be turnover-themed days for the next four weeks.

Numbers game
03-26-2008 4:14 p.m.

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Michael Morgan switched his number from 46 to 17 during the off-season, going from an assigned jersey he received freshman year to the number he had while playing high school football in Dallas.

“It was time for a change,” he said. “It feels good.”

Taking batting practice
03-26-2008 2:59 p.m.

Coach Carroll and several members of his staff headed to the Coliseum on Wednesday afternoon to take some batting practice on the baseball field, just three days before Saturday’s exhibition. Read about it in the latest feature from USCRipsIt.

Signing for a cause
03-26-2008 2:02 p.m.

Coach Carroll is heading out to Tommy Trojan and the heart of USC’s campus for a few minutes to take part in Zeta Beta Tau fraternity’s annual charity event, Get on the Ball. The fundraiser, which raises support for the Children’s Miracle Network, gathers signatures on a giant beach ball, and for each signature, sponsors donate money to the cause.

Carroll is going to sign the ball and support the event for a few minutes, something he has done for several years now.

High effort
03-26-2008 1:30 p.m.

Through the 15 practices of the spring, the Trojans will run hundreds of plays and go through dozens of drills, accumulating days of film for the coaches to watch.

And the most important thing coaches will be critiquing in deciding the depth chart for the 2008 season?
Effort.

It has already been a rallying cry in team and offense/defense meetings and on the practice field, as coaches are constantly stressing supreme effort from their players.

After all, coaches say, great effort leads to great energy, which leads to great tempo, which ultimately allows the Trojans to play fast, score more touchdowns and overwhelm the opponent on defense.

Specialized work
03-26-2008 10:47 a.m.

Spring Practice is all about opportunities, and the special teams unit is full of them this year.

With snapper Will Collins and holder Michael McDonald gone from the 2007 squad, the special teams unit has several openings this spring, and many players will get their chances to solidify a spot on the team during the next 15 practices.

In Tuesday’s practice, wideout Garrett Green and punter Greg Woidneck split holding duties on the field goal unit. Tight end Cooper Stephenson snapped on punts, while offensive lineman Alex Parsons took the long snapping reps on field goals.

Though the most unheralded positions on the field, the holder and long snapper are considered two of the most vital roles to fill this season, so this spring carries added significance for the Trojans in finding reliable replacements.

Workouts
03-26-2008 10:07 a.m.

The Trojans don’t have practice today, but that doesn’t mean the players are turning into couch potatoes.

The strength and conditioning staff is running short workouts this morning to maintain the strength gains obtained during winter workouts and to continue improving conditioning for the end-of-spring combine tests that happen in late April.

The 40-minute workouts, which are conducted every Monday and Wednesday during Spring Practice, feature reduced lower-body work so players can save their legs for the four practices each week.

Making the team
03-26-2008 9:59 a.m.

The following three students have made the Trojans as walk-ons following Tuesday’s tryouts:

- Preston Cavignac
- Jonathan De Amaral
- Drew Ness

The three newest walk-ons, who all tried out as wide receivers, will participate in Thursday’s practice.

Get it cracking
03-26-2008 8:53 a.m.

Coaches got off to an earlier start than normal (for the spring) with an 8 a.m. staff meeting. They’re analyzing film from the first day of Spring Practice, along with making decisions on yesterday’s walk-on tryouts. It’s a great day for the coaches, as they have hours of film to pore over from Tuesday’s practice.

Images of the day
03-25-2008 7:53 p.m.

Check out the pictures from Tuesday’s practice in the latest feature from USCRipsIt.

Trying out
03-25-2008 7:26 p.m.

Following Tuesday’s practice, 23 students went through walk-on tryouts on Howard Jones field. The hopefuls went through agility drills, 40-yard dashes and position-specific drills for about 30 minutes before Coach Carroll thanked them for coming out.

The coaches will decide who will make the team at their morning staff meeting, and the results will be posted Wednesday morning.


The walk-on hopefuls go through an agility drill at today’s tryout on Howard Jones field.

Competition
03-25-2008 7:26 p.m.

Coach Carroll on making an impression during Spring Practice, said to the team in the post-practice huddle:

“You can make a move at any time. I want us to compete at everything we’re doing.”

Utter madness
03-25-2008 7:25 p.m.

During the final team period, as the offense and defense traded wins on every play, Coach Carroll provided his color commentary for the tight battle.

“Can’t the offense pull ahead?” he exclaimed to the players. “Don’t you know that this is the real March Madness?”

Off to work
03-25-2008 3:49 p.m.

The Trojans are heading out to the field for their first practice of the spring. Though it’ll be a non-contact practice (players are in only helmets), it should be tough one, as the schedule is loaded with more than two hours of drills.

Following practice, walk-on tryouts will be held, so we’ll return in a few hours with a full report from Howard Jones field.

It has begun
03-25-2008 3:22 p.m.

Spring Practice 2008 has officially gotten underway. The team and offense/defense meetings have just concluded, and players are in position meetings now until practice begins at 4 p.m.

During the team meeting, Coach Carroll gave the introductory speech that he gives at the start of every fall and spring — yet it still buzzed with a freshness and energy that made it seem new. He spoke of the importance of the football — “it’s all about the ball,” he bellowed — before showing clips of Trojan-caused fumbles from 2007. He then went into his introduction of Spring Practice 2008.

“We’ve got to find great work ethic and compete,” Carroll told his team. “We’re got to go out there and battle every single play, showing who you are.”

Carroll also shared his thoughts on the team’s “Three Rules:” Protect the team; No whining, no complaining, no excuses; and be early, before sending the Trojans into offense and defense meetings.

“Let’s rock and roll, boys,” Carroll excitedly roared to end the meeting.


Coach Carroll speaks to the team at the first meeting of Spring Practice 2008.


Carroll (far left), clutching a football, shows film of the Trojans’ great caused fumbles in 2007 to emphasize that “it’s all about the ball.”

Time to go
03-25-2008 2:07 p.m.

The official start of Spring Practice is here. The Trojans are gathering now in the Heritage Auditorium for a team meeting before splitting into offense/defense and position groups. Practice is up at 4 p.m.

Color schemes
03-25-2008 1:53 p.m.

Spring football is a time for the Trojans to work and improve without having to focus on an opponent. It allows the team to emphasize the here-and-now and constantly strive to get better without having to look ahead to the next game.

But there is one small sign that the Trojans are planning ahead for the Aug. 30 game at Virginia.

In all 15 sessions this spring, the offense will be wearing white practice jerseys (and the defense will be in cardinal), as is the custom for the practices preceding an away game. Prior to home games, conversely, the offense wears cardinal and the defense wears white during practices.

No big deal? Think again.

The white jerseys are typically favored by players on hot days, which could be a benefit for the offense since the temperatures in L.A. have reached midsummer highs during last few days.

Reunion tour
03-25-2008 1:38 p.m.

Trojan football is back in session today, and if you needed any proof, Ricky Rosas has arrived.

In midseason form, the 18-year-old Rosas, special assistant to Coach Carroll, has been hanging out around Heritage Hall today and will attend this afternoon’s practice.

Now taking classes at a local junior college, Rosas coincidentally has Spring Break this week, allowing him to attend the Trojans’ first four spring practices.

“This is going to be a good team,” Rosas said.

Net gain
03-25-2008 1:03 p.m.

Saturday’s USC men’s volleyball match at the Galen Center has been moved up to 5 p.m. to accommodate the Dodgers-Red Sox exhibition at the Coliseum that night. With more than 110,000 fans expected for the 7 p.m. baseball game, USC officials are encouraging Trojan volleyball fans to arrive early and plan accordingly.

Ready to go
03-25-2008 12:41 p.m.


For the first time in nearly three months, the USC practice jerseys are out of storage and resting neatly in the players’ equipment cubbies in Heritage Hall, all ready for this afternoon’s opening practice of the spring.

On the radio
03-25-2008 11:46 a.m.

Coach Carroll is appearing USCTrojans.com’s “Heritage Hour” for a short interview right now. You can hear the interview either live or recorded by visiting USCTrojans.com.

Hard at work
03-25-2008 11:41 a.m.

As Spring Practice inches closer and closer, coaches have been spending the morning in their offices preparing for this afternoon’s meetings and practice by watching film and scripting plays. With energy flowing and spirits high, it feels like it’s the middle of the season in the USC football office.

The team meeting, which kicks off Spring Practice 2008, starts at 2:15.

Win Forever
03-25-2008 10:30 a.m.



Coach Carroll and the Trojans are thinking long-term.

They want to Win Forever.

As the team enters into Spring Practice today, taking another step in the over-arching process, Win Forever provides the foundation. Read all about this captivating and inspirational philosophy in the newest must-read feature from USCRipsIt.

Also, be sure to download your Win Forever desktop wallpaper and get your Win Forever gear in the Shop at PeteCarroll.com.

Audition
03-25-2008 10:12 a.m.

The first day of Spring Practice also means it’s the day of the walk-on tryouts. Twenty-five USC students have completed the necessary paperwork and will go through an hour-long tryout on Howard Jones field tonight after the Trojans practice.

Welcome back
03-25-2008 9:03 a.m.

The first day of Spring Practice 2008 has officially gotten started with a staff meeting in the War Room. After a winter of relative hibernation, Trojan football has gloriously returned.