By BEN MALCOLMSON
Ben@PeteCarroll.com
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A break in the schedule
08-31-2008 1:46 a.m.
Players are off Sunday and Monday, giving them a rare in-season two-day weekend. Weightlifting, meetings and practice resume Tuesday.
Coaches also get an uncommon in-season break, with the next two days off (though considering the workaholics they are, many will most likely be in the office sporadically during the weekend). They officially return Tuesday morning to break down film of Saturday’s game and start preparations for Sept. 13’s home opener against Ohio State.
Photos from the day
08-31-2008 1:29 a.m.
See a glut of cool behind-the-scenes pictures from Saturday’s game in the newest photo feature from USCRipsIt.
RipsIt Report
08-31-2008 12:57 a.m.
Check out the must-read RipsIt Report from the locker room and sidelines during Saturday’s 52-7 victory in the latest feature from USCRipsIt. Here’s a glimpse:
“This is exactly what we came here to do,” a smiling Coach Carroll yelled in the locker room following the win. “It doesn’t matter who we play, what the weather is or where we play — you better look out for the Trojans!”
Worth the trip
08-31-2008 12:54 a.m.
Within an hour after Saturday’s game, the Trojans left Scott Stadium and headed to Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport, where they boarded their charter flight and waited until the game equipment was loaded in the belly of the plane. Players, who were giddy from the victory, sang “Let’s go home!” while waiting to depart.
After eating dinner and watching “Leatherheads” and “Catch Me If You Can,” the flight touched down at LAX at 11:45 p.m. The Trojans were back to USC at 12:30 a.m.
They went 4,500 roundtrip miles in about 60 hours, but with a 52-7 victory in their pockets, it was well worth the journey.
The Trojans board their charter plane at the Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport just two hours after their 52-7 win.
Equipment is loaded into the belly of the plane before the flight takes off from Charlottesville.
Home again
08-31-2008 12:40 a.m.
The Trojans have arrived back in L.A. after a long day that included a 52-7 win in their season opener and a five-hour flight across the country. The behind-the-scenes report is on its way.
On a related note, we’re back to blogging on Pacific time now.
Kicking it off
08-30-2008 1:17 p.m.
The Trojans are just minutes away from boarding buses and heading to Scott Stadium for the season opener. Thanks to nearly a dozen police motorcycles and squad cars, the team will knife through Charlottesville’s game day traffic and arrive only 20 minutes after leaving the hotel. Kickoff’s at 3:37 p.m. and the game will be televised on ABC or ESPN2, depending on your location.
Following the game, the team will go directly to Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport and board its return charter flight to LAX, with an estimated arrival set for 11 p.m. Pacific time.
We’ll have a behind-the-scenes, photo-filled report from today’s game upon arrival back in L.A. late tonight.
Game time
08-30-2008 1:03 p.m.
Take a look at the minute-by-minute agenda for the Trojans this afternoon (all times Eastern):
1:30 p.m. • Depart team hotel
1:55 p.m. • Arrive at Scott Stadium
2:25 p.m. • Warm-ups begin
2:52 p.m. • Stretching
3 p.m. • Individual drills
3:03 p.m. • 1-on-1 drills
3:06 p.m. • 7-on-7 drills
3:09 p.m. • Team warm-up drills
3:14 p.m. • USC returns to locker room
3:33 p.m. • Trojans take the field
3:37 p.m. • Kickoff (ABC/ESPN2)
9 p.m. • Scheduled departure out of Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport
11 p.m. (Pacific) • Estimated arrival at LAX
Everybody clap your hands
08-30-2008 12:54 p.m.
Just minutes before the Trojans leave their hotel for Scott Stadium, they’ll gather in two ballrooms for offensive and defensive “clap sessions.” These are five-minute meetings during which the players get to physically and mentally review the formation and final adjustments for about 10 calls, ending each play with a loud clap in unison.
Special guest
08-30-2008 12:24 p.m.
USC All-American safety Troy Polamalu, now a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is scheduled to be on the Scott Stadium sideline for today’s game.
Putting in the work
08-30-2008 12:15 p.m.
The Trojans will emerge onto the Scott Stadium field this afternoon in perfect white jerseys and shimmering cardinal helmets.
It didn’t come easy.
USC’s equipment staff spent all day at Scott Stadium on Friday applying the helmet decals and neatly fitting the jerseys over players’ pads, along with setting up the locker room as a whole. When their day was done last night, the eight-man staff had logged more than 70 man hours Friday to make sure things will run smoothly for the Trojans on game day.
Closer and closer
08-30-2008 11:47 a.m.
After the morning meetings and walk-thrus, the players met in a large ballroom for their pre-game meal, which was preceded by a powerful talk by Coach Carroll that stressed the team’s philosophy, “It’s all about the ball.”
The players now have time to relax, pack and get ready to leave at 1:30 for Scott Stadium.
Walking through
08-30-2008 11:45 a.m.
The defense conducts its pre-game walk-thru in the hotel parking lot.
The offense does its walk-thru of key plays in a small grassy area outside of the team hotel in Charlottesville.
Mark Sanchez shares the play call in the huddle during this morning’s walk-thru.
Waiting patiently
08-30-2008 11:44 a.m.
Players wait in a hotel hallway before the morning meetings begin.
Meeting of the minds
08-30-2008 11:40 a.m.
Coaches gather for their final staff meeting prior to the game in a hotel ballroom this morning to discuss last-minute adjustments and decisions.
Time to work
08-30-2008 10:38 a.m.
The morning’s business meetings are about to begin in a hotel ballroom with a special teams roll call, which is a front for the raucous wake-up and pump-up session it actually is. Then, the offense and defense will conduct short walk-thrus of key plays at the hotel.
The pre-game meal — another overflowing buffet — is scheduled for 11:30 before players get a few hours to relax, nap and watch TV before leaving for the game.
High honor
08-30-2008 10:34 a.m.
Besides the four elected captains — Kevin Ellison, Brian Cushing, Jeff Byers and Mark Sanchez — two other Trojans will join them for the coin toss before the game. As is tradition, Coach Carroll names two additional captains for each game, and this week, the special teams captain is linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. and the service team captain is quarterback Garrett Green.
Happy birthday
08-30-2008 10:11 a.m.
Offensive administrative assistant Justin Mesa turns 26 today.
Get up and get going
08-30-2008 9:56 a.m.
Wake-up calls rang in the players’ rooms at 9 a.m., two hours before the first meeting, more than four hours before the team leaves for Scott Stadium and — last but definitely not least noticed — at 6 a.m. Pacific time.
But as senseless as that seems, the early wake-up calls are all part of the plan.
For late-afternoon or night games, coaches strategically schedule relatively early wake-ups so that players don’t sleep too much and end up groggy all day. Plus, bed check was at 10:30 last night, meaning the Trojans got plenty of sleep on the eve of the game.
Big following
08-30-2008 9:39 a.m.
USC received 4,500 tickets from Virginia for today’s game, a very large number in proportion to the capacity of Scott Stadium (only 61,500 seats). Add in the season-ticket packages and extra tickets Trojan fans bought, and USC could have a very hearty-sized cheering section at Scott Stadium today.
For a good read…
08-30-2008 9:37 a.m.
Here are two great articles from today's L.A. Times:
- A feature on Mark Sanchez being ready to take over the starting role
- An update on USC’s rookies in the NFL
A beautiful morning in Charlottesville
08-30-2008 9:28 a.m.
Crystal clear blue skies are providing the backdrop for the Trojans as they rustle out of bed of game day this morning. Forecasts, though, project a 30 percent chance of scattered storms this afternoon during the game.
Game day
08-29-2008 10:26 p.m.
Here’s what’s on the schedule for the Trojans on the first game day of 2008:
9 a.m. • Wake up and breakfast
11 a.m. • Special teams meeting and offense/defense walk-thrus
11:30 a.m. • Pre-game meal
1:20 p.m. • Clap session
1:30 p.m. • Depart hotel for Scott Stadium
1:55 p.m. • Arrive at Scott Stadium
2:25 p.m. • Warm-ups begin
2:52 p.m. • Stretching
3:14 p.m. • USC returns to locker room
3:33 p.m. • Trojans take the field
3:37 p.m. • Kickoff (ABC/ESPN2)
9 p.m. • Scheduled departure out of Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport
11 p.m. (Pacific) • Estimated arrival at LAX
Almost there
08-29-2008 10:24 p.m.
The night’s coming to a close after about 90 minutes of football meetings, which included some final film reviews and another brilliant motivational talk from Coach Carroll, who spoke to the team about becoming one in the season opener and during the remainder of the year.
Then, players had a “snack” — better known as a buffet full of meats, pastas, pizza, bread, fruit and desserts — and optional chapel and mass services.
Friday night’s business is complete, meaning game day is only a sleep away.
Live from Scott Stadium
08-29-2008 7:57 p.m.
See for yourself the Trojans’ very interesting walk-thru at Scott Stadium this afternoon in the latest feature from USCRipsIt.
Back again
08-29-2008 7:29 p.m.
The Trojans are gathering now to commence their normal eve-of-game meetings. The block starts with a special teams film review, following by offense/defense, position group and team meetings before snack at 8:45. Optional chapel and mass services will be at 9 before bed check at 10:30 p.m.
Oops
08-29-2008 7:18 p.m.
Coach Carroll’s white-paint footprints trail him onto the field as he meets with Virginia coach Al Groh during the Trojans’ walk-thru Friday. The Scott Stadium turf was being painted while the team was there, putting the field off-limits — until Carroll saw Groh and walked out to greet his old buddy.
Odd company
08-29-2008 6:20 p.m.
While the team was huddled around head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle give a talk at Scott Stadium on Friday afternoon, Virginia’s players puzzlingly walked out onto the sidelines. After Carlisle finished his speech, with the Cavaliers still strolling back toward their locker room, the players gathered around Coach Carroll, who brought them together for a final word of encouragement. The team then tightened the huddle and let out a booming “Trojans!” chant that echoed around Scott Stadium and turned the heads of most Virginia players on the opposite sideline.
Less than 24 hours until the season opener. The players sure felt it at that moment.
Dispatch from Scott Stadium
08-29-2008 6:18 p.m.
The Trojans just returned to their hotel from Virginia’s Scott Stadium, where their walk-thru plans were forced to stray from the norm. Instead of playing around on the field for an hour, the players were limited to the sidelines because workers were still painting the lines, hashes and logos on the grass.
So the team made the best of the situation and still had time to explore the stadium, listen to a talk from head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle and see the locker room before heading out. Here are some highlights from the Scott Stadium experience:
- The field was receiving its finishing touches of paint Friday afternoon, and what a field it is. Next to the Rose Bowl, it might be one of the nicest turfs the Trojans will have played on in recent seasons.
- Carlisle delivered a typically motivating speech centered on the Rudyard Kipling proverb, “The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”
- The players explored the visitors’ locker room, filled with their freshly shined helmets and sparkling white road jerseys.
- Pictures will be posted shortly.
Back to work
08-29-2008 4:37 p.m.
After a few hours for relaxation and naptime this afternoon, the Trojans are getting back on buses, this time headed to Scott Stadium for a “walk-thru.” It’s in quotes because very little football business happens, with coaches instead letting players goof around and play games for an hour to acclimate themselves to the foreign stadium.
We’ll be back with pictures from the walk-thru in a couple of hours.
The Big Top has arrived
08-29-2008 4:35 p.m.
The Trojan circus has come to town, and it’s temporarily changing the lives of several Charlottesville residents.
And perhaps no one more than Mark Hucek.
The general manager at the DoubleTree Charlottesville, the Trojans’ hotel while in town, Hucek has become a local celebrity of sorts after TV news stations and newspaper reporters have come calling to do stories on the hotel’s transformation into the Trojans’ Charlottesville headquarters. Hucek said he did about four interviews after
USC’s advance trip in May and has done four more this week leading up to the game.
“USC coming here is a really big deal to this town,” Hucek said.
A local TV news reporter interviews DoubleTree general manager Mark Hucek this afternoon about the Trojans’ stay at his hotel.
Practicing on the road
08-29-2008 3:44 p.m.
Come along for the latest part of the Trojans journey — today’s midday practice at a local high school — in the newest photo-filled feature from USCRipsIt.
On-air production
08-29-2008 3:24 p.m.
Coach Carroll sits down for an interview with an ABC producer in a hotel ballroom this afternoon. Pieces of the interview will be used during Saturday’s telecast on ABC/ESPN2.
Happy happy
08-29-2008 3:11 p.m.
Assistant athletic trainer Chris Grosskopf is celebrating his birthday on the job in Charlottesville today. Happy birthday to Chris.
Special guest
08-29-2008 2:40 p.m.
USC All-American safety Mike Battle, who played for the Trojans in 1966-68, attended today’s practice in Charlottesville. Battle now lives in the Charlottesville area.
Foreign land
08-29-2008 2:38 p.m.
The Trojans sure practiced today in a foreign environment.
Not only was the field artificial grass, but the surroundings were both stunning and unfamiliar. The football field was encircled by three exotic terrains for the men from Southern California — a lacrosse field, a field hockey pitch and beautiful rolling green hills.
Last-minute adjustment
08-29-2008 2:26 p.m.
USC had to pull a fast one on the people of Charlottesville today.
The original location of the Trojans’ closed practice — Albermarle High — had been revealed and discussed on radio shows for the last several weeks as curious fans clamored to find out where they could see USC. So director of football operations Dennis Slutak made the switch this morning so no one would be able to spy on the team’s most sacred practice of the week.
“Anywhere we go, we’re like the Dallas Cowboys,” Slutak said, incredulously. “Any other team could practice in the hotel parking lot and no one would come and watch, but here we are, we have to make it like a Secret Service operation.”
Out and about
08-29-2008 2:25 p.m.
The Trojans have returned from St. Anne’s-Belfield football stadium just a few minutes down the road from their Charlottesville hotel. During the 45 minute practice, the team went through the usual Friday routine — all special teams situations, 15 offensive plays and 15 defensive plays before finishing with a Hail Mary attempt (won by the defense today).
Players are now dining on Belmont BBQ, a local favorite, before getting the next few hours off. The Trojans will reboard buses at 4:40 and go to Scott Stadium for a walk-thru.
Pictures from the midday practice are coming soon.
Heading out
08-29-2008 12:09 p.m.
Following 90 minutes of meetings, the team is now boarding buses and heading to a local high school to conduct their usual Friday pre-game practice. We’ll return after the brief walk-thru with a report and pictures.
Preparing
08-29-2008 11:54 a.m.
The Trojans sit in their special teams meeting in a hotel ballroom this morning. The players are now in offense/defense film sessions before leaving for practice at 12:15 p.m.
Where in the world?
08-29-2008 11:16 a.m.
Trojan fans are spread across the globe, so read just how astonishingly near and far USC supporters will be watching Saturday’s season opener in
the latest feature from USCRipsIt, by student assistant Ricky Cambier.
Working away
08-29-2008 11:05 a.m.
Football business has begun for the Trojans on the “Day Before.” The special teams meeting, which doubles as a rowdy pump-up session, just started and then team, offense/defense and position group meetings follow before the team boards buses for practice at 12:15 p.m.
Home away from home
08-29-2008 10:39 a.m.
The indefatigable equipment staff has turned one of the hotel’s ballrooms into USC’s locker room, where the players and coaches can pick up their gear for today’s practice.
Each “locker” consists of a chair with a nametag affixed to it and the player’s shirt, shorts, socks and cleats neatly placed on or under it.
It’s a meticulous process that took several hours for the equipment staff to coordinate last night, considering there was gear for 80 players and about a dozen coaches to unpack and organize.
Football equipment coordinator Tino Dominguez (left) and head student equipment manager Matt Burkhard (right) stand in the ballroom-turned-locker room at the Trojans’ team hotel in Charlottesville.
Anthony McCoy’s “locker” contains his gear for today’s practice.
Dressed to impress
08-29-2008 10:36 a.m.
The entire hotel staff — including front desk personnel, managers and housekeepers — has been wearing matching black USC shirts during the Trojans’ stay here.
Gray skies are going to clear up
08-29-2008 10:12 a.m.
Blue skies are beginning to poke through the thick gray clouds on a warm, muggy morning in Charlottesville. Forecasts call for off-and-on rain today and storms late Saturday afternoon.
For a great read...
08-29-2008 9:44 a.m.
Here’s an article from the Omaha World-Herald — one that Coach Carroll is raving about right now — regarding former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne and his philosophy on coaching. The article shows that Osborne and Carroll have a remarkably similar approach to the game and being a head coach.
Good morning
08-29-2008 9:32 a.m.
It’s 9:30 in Charlottesville and 6:30 back in L.A., so not many players have come down for breakfast yet. Wake-up calls will hit at 10, and meetings will get going at 10:45 this morning.
On the other hand, coaches didn’t flinch with the time difference, as they were up essentially with the sun (well, there’s not much sun here, but you know what we mean). Time’s ticking on final game preparations and adjustments, so coaches are making the most of the relatively free morning schedule by watching film. Their staff meeting is at 10:15.
The day ahead
08-28-2008 11:51 p.m.
Here’s what’s on the agenda for the Trojans on a busy Friday in Charlottesville:
10 a.m. • Wake up and breakfast
10:45 a.m. • Special teams meeting
11:15 a.m. • Offense/defense and position group meetings
12:15 p.m. • Depart for local high school
12:30 p.m. • Practice at local high school football field
1:30 p.m. • Return to hotel; Catered lunch from Freemont BBQ
4:40 p.m. • Depart for Scott Stadium
5 p.m. • Walk-thru at Scott Stadium
6 p.m. • Return to hotel; Dinner from Vocelli Pizza
7:30 p.m. • Eve-of-game meetings begin
8:45 p.m. • Snack
9 p.m. • Optional chapel and mass services
10:30 p.m. • Bed check
Pictures from the journey
08-28-2008 11:49 p.m.
See the photo-filled travel journal from the Trojans’ journey to Charlottesville in the latest feature from USCRipsIt.
Late-night competition
08-28-2008 11:18 p.m.
Less than an hour after arriving in Charlottesville, offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian has plopped down in a hotel ballroom to watch film and continue preparations for Saturday’s game.
Sleep now?
08-28-2008 10:47 p.m.
Bed check’s technically at 11 p.m. tonight, but how could the Trojans actually call it a day at that time?
With the time difference, that’s only 8 p.m. for the players’ body clocks. But the travel-weary Trojans typically enjoy the extra rest on the road, no matter what time it is back in L.A., so many players will probably take advantage of the “early” bed check tonight.
Sit tight
08-28-2008 10:46 p.m.
Depending on who you ask, the seating arrangements for a USC charter flight are always completely uncomfortable or hilariously funny.
During today’s flight on a Boeing 757 (three seats on either side of the aisle), linemen got aisle and window seats, while “smaller” players received the dreaded middle seats. But with 300-plus-pound linemen on either side, that doesn’t leave too much room in the middle seat. You can imagine the sight.
FYI
08-28-2008 10:33 p.m.
The blog posts will now be time-stamped on Eastern Daylight Time for the remainder of this weekend’s trip.
Tales from the trip
08-28-2008 10:32 p.m.
The Trojans have checked into their Charlottesville Hotel after a day of traveling. Here’s what happened on the cross-country journey:
After a police-escorted bus ride down the 110 and 105 freeways, the Trojans’ plane took off at 2:15 p.m. from LAX. They were on their way to Charlottesville.
The players flew over the Grand Canyon, ate chicken and beef stroganoff, napped, laughed their way through “What Happens in Vegas” and watched “21,” a peculiar movie choice for a collegiate team consisting of mostly underage guys who are discouraged from the gambling scene.
At 9:40 p.m. Eastern, the charter plane touched down at a misty and foggy Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport, and the Trojans disembarked and got on buses that took them 10 minutes down the highway to their Charlottesville hotel. The players had a buffet waiting for them upon check-in, and now get a little time to relax before bed check at 11 p.m.
Leaving on a jet plane
08-28-2008 12:20 p.m.
The Trojans are getting on buses now before heading to LAX, where they’ll board their charter plane and take off at 1:30 for Charlottesville, Va. Arrival at Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport is scheduled for 9:25 p.m. (Eastern), so we’ll be back with a report from the road upon checking into the hotel tonight.
Ready to go
08-28-2008 12:07 p.m.
The players chanted “We ready!” while jumping around at the conclusion of Thursday morning’s practice, their last before leaving for Virginia.
Photos from Thursday’s practice
08-28-2008 12:03 p.m.
Joe McKnight receives a pitch from Mark Sanchez.
With center Kris O’Dowd blocking, Mark Sanchez throws downfield.
Coach Carroll speaks to the team in the huddle following practice.
Dispatch from Howard Jones
08-28-2008 12:02 p.m.
Thoughts from Thursday’s practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt…
- The Trojans flew through a 75-minute practice, only doing eight team plays and 30 service team plays on a warm, hazy morning.
- Player and coach attitudes visibly changed Thursday as the pending travel day sunk in and the team began cinching down for Saturday’s game.
- Linebacker Kaluka Maiava made the play of the day during a mostly uneventful practice when he swatted away a ball on pass coverage 20 yards downfield.
- Because of a shortage of service team players (non-traveling squadmen weren’t excused from class for the practice), kicker Joe Houston played safety for the scout team.
No Repeat Thursday
08-28-2008 10:17 a.m.
The Trojans just took the field for their “No Repeat Thursday” practice. Today’s emphasis is on sharpening the little things and “doing stuff right,” as coaches preach.
“Do everything exactly right today so that there are no repeats,” Carroll said during this morning’s team meeting. “You don’t get second chances in a ball game, so we’ve got to practice like that.”
It’s a short practice, so we’ll be back in a couple of hours with a report from the field.
Song of the day
08-28-2008 9:45 a.m.
Coach Carroll’s song of the day today is “Best of You” by the Foo Fighters (we can't embed it because of licensing). More than likely, Carroll's “song of the day” will take a break until next week because of the road trip.
Finishing touches
08-28-2008 9:37 a.m.
Quarterbacks assistant Yogi Roth laminates the call sheet for Saturday’s game in the football office this morning. Coaches refer to the process, which carries extra significance this week because of forecasted rain Saturday, as "delivering a baby." And if the call sheet, which holds all the plays for the game, changes between now and kickoff? “You’ll find me in a Kinko’s in Charlottesville,” Roth said, half-jokingly.
A special homecoming
08-28-2008 9:20 a.m.
As important as this weekend’s trip is to all traveling players, it probably means the most to walk-on tailback Chris Fornataro.
A freshman from Richmond, Va., Fornataro earned a spot on the travel squad for the Trojans’ journey to Charlottesville following an impressive Fall Camp and a tireless effort as the service team tailback this week.
“This feels great,” he said. “I didn’t even think I would make the trip, and a lot of other people didn’t think so either. This is awesome.”
Virginia’s Scott Stadium is only 65 miles from Mills Godwin High in Richmond, where Fornataro ran for 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior in 2007.
The 6-0, 200-pound Fornataro, USC’s only freshman tailback this year, said his family and several friends will be attending Saturday’s game, in addition to the several players he knows on the Cavalier football team.
History lesson
08-28-2008 9:03 a.m.
This morning’s team meeting featured a special presentation from guest lecturer/head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle. Like he does for many out-of-conference road trips, Carlisle gave a short history and geography lesson on this weekend’s game location, Charlottesville and the Commonwealth of Virginia, so that players know where they’re playing and the significance of its history.
Picking the peaches
08-28-2008 8:35 a.m.
Each team supplies six game balls for every contest, but getting to that point isn’t a simple task. Find out how Mark Sanchez “picks the peaches” in the latest feature from USCRipsIt.
Let’s go
08-28-2008 8:09 a.m.
The Thursday meetings have already gotten started, and realization that the season opener is only two days away has set in. Practice is at 10 a.m.
Two more receive scholarships
08-28-2008 7:56 a.m.
Defensive end Andrew Weiss and fullback Matt Hillier were awarded scholarships, Coach Pete Carroll said.
Both players are seniors and took winding roads to get to the Trojans. Weiss, a 6-9, 230-pound lineman from San Marino, transferred from UC San Diego before last season. Hillier, a 6-2, 210-pound fullback from La Canada, has also played on the USC men’s volleyball team.
“Whenever we can help guys later in their careers, we love to do that,” Carroll said. “Both of them are great workers and have earned this honor.”
On the radio
08-28-2008 7:31 a.m.
Coach Carroll will be on the nationally syndicated “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” in a few minutes, so you can either listen live or download the clip later.
Photo album from Wednesday’s practice
08-27-2008 7:19 p.m.
See an album of images from Wednesday’s practice, from USCRipsIt staff photographer Po-He Tseng:
Dinner time
08-27-2008 7:10 p.m.
Each Thursday before games, the Trojans eat a specially catered dinner chosen by a different team member each week.
But because the team is traveling tomorrow, tonight is the special dinner night, and following tradition, Coach Carroll got the first pick of the season. He chose Watt’s Coffee House, so the team is enjoying soul food for dinner tonight instead of the usual training table fare.
Pictures from Wednesday’s practice
08-27-2008 7:06 p.m.
Garrett Green observes his pass to Brice Butler during 1-on-1s.
Mark Sanchez runs out of the pocket in service team period.
Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian watches as Mark Sanchez passes downfield.
Nose guard Christian Tupou stretches for the sack of Mitch Mustain.
Dispatch from Howard Jones
08-27-2008 6:54 p.m.
Thoughts from Wednesday’s practice, through the eyes of USCRipsIt…
- Coach Carroll made official what was the formality of all formalities regarding Mark Sanchez’s status this weekend. “We’re official that Mark’s going to start,” he said after the two-hour practice.
- The defense came away with the victory on the first Turnover Wednesday of 2008 thanks to a flying interception in the end zone by linebacker Jordan Campbell in 7-on-7 drills and a pick from cornerback Daniel Harper in team period.
- Besides collecting turnovers, the defense also produced a smothering blitz attack that rattled the offense throughout practice.
- The receivers had several of Wednesday’s top plays. Patrick Turner all-out dove for a catch over the middle during 7-on-7, D.J. Shoemate took a wide receiver screen to the end zone thanks to his shiftiness and some great downfield blocking by the offensive linemen and Vidal Hazelton caught a deep pass that first hit his facemask before falling into his hands.
- Game mode was in full tilt Wednesday, as quarterbacks wore the armbands they’ll use during the season opener and coaches signaled plays into the huddle from the sidelines like they’ll be doing on Saturday.
- Artificial crowd noise blared from speakers during practice to acclimate the players and coaches to what could be a boisterous environment on Saturday at Scott Stadium.
Read the previous blog page here.
