Go behind the scenes during the Trojans’ 52-7 victory at Virginia
By Ben Malcolmson
USCRipsIt
PeteCarroll.com
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Live Trojan football in this special report from the locker room and sidelines during USC’s 52-7 conquest at Virginia. Also, be sure to check out USCRipsIt's insider photo feature.
At the start
Observations from the locker room before Saturday’s game:
- The players were abnormally quiet while waiting the 20 minutes in the locker room after their warm-ups and prior to kickoff of their season. “It’s the calm before the storm!” running backs coach Todd McNair screamed out.
- Coach Carroll was short and to the point as his voice was giving out during his usually energetic pre-game speech: “Let’s play with great effort, great enthusiasm and we’ve got to play smart!”
- While in the tunnel before being let out onto the field, the players locked arms and swayed back and forth while chanting, “War time.”
Earning a nomination
After the offense called a timeout during the first quarter — a timeout that took several seconds for the officials to recognize — the side judge came over to Coach Carroll and told him that offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian couldn’t call a timeout.
“I only listen to you call a timeout,” the official said.
“Well, I nominated him to do it,” a smiling Carroll joked while pointing at Sarkisian.
At the half
The final words of Coach Carroll’s brief yet electrifying halftime speech, with the Trojans leading, 24-7:
“This game is far from over. We’re in this together, let’s go get it!”
Far from finished
After Mark Sanchez hit wideout Ronald Johnson for a 49-yard touchdown to make it 38-7 in the third quarter, he went around the sideline encouraging his teammates to not slow down.
“We’re not done yet!” Sanchez repeated on the sideline.
Bang
On 4th-and-1 in the fourth quarter, Allen Bradford took a sweep to the left and turned up the sideline, lowering his shoulder into a helpless defensive back and knocking him down en route to a 15-yard run. Bradford’s powerful, loud hit triggered the defensive players, who were sitting on the bench, to jump up and run to the sideline in awe.
“Bang, bang!” many of them screamed.
Pure bliss
After Clay Matthews Jr. caused a fumble by popping the ball loose from behind during the fourth quarter, Coach Carroll ran onto the field toward Matthews in elation.
“That’s so good!” Carroll ecstatically yelled at Matthews and anyone who would listen. “Oh man, that’s so good!”
Battling the heat
The Trojans, led by the brilliant foresight and dedication of the athletic training staff, utilized several methods to combat the heat and humidity and their effects during Saturday’s game at Virginia. Let’s count the ways:
- Six fog machines swiveled near the benches.
- Athletic trainers pushed Gatorade and water with the players every chance they could.
- Coaches and players went through boxes and boxes of disposable towels as they wiped the sweat from their faces and hands repeatedly during the game.
- Some players took IVs during halftime.
- Players were ordered to sit on the bench and rest when they weren’t playing, instead of standing on the sideline.
- The locker room at halftime featured cool air-conditioning, a welcome respite from the heat on the field.
Celebrate good times
Well that was fun.
Fun seemed to be the perfect word to sum up the Trojans’ trip to and victory in Virginia, ending with an offensive and defensive domination on Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville.
During Friday night’s team meeting, Coach Carroll called Saturday’s game “a celebration.” A celebration for the work they’ve put in and a celebration of the team they are.
The Trojans made sure Carroll’s words rang true at Scott Stadium.
The game started with a burst, as the Trojans roared to a 21-0 lead, but the real fun was had as the third and fourth quarters ticked down. Players and coaches had a blast on the sideline in many ways:
- In the third quarter, walk-on wideout Scott Stephens was inserted into the Trojans’ kickoff coverage unit and made the tackle, but the stadium’s P.A. announcer said Clay Matthews Jr. (who also wears the No. 47 jersey) made the play. So Stephens’ teammates teased him by repeatedly calling him “Clay” upon returning to the sideline.
- On the very next play, cornerback Kevin Thomas caught an interception, which caused the players on the sideline to erupt, knowing this game was turning mightily in their favor.
- Then, on the offense’s first play after the turnover, Joe McKnight had a trademark cutback run that was aided by a backside block from Mark Sanchez. Coach Carroll and Sanchez shared a joyous smile after the play, as they connected eyes and pumped their fists in celebration.
What a celebration it had become.
Representing
Mark Sanchez’s eye black during Saturday’s game had “Garenn Figueroa” written on it, a tribute to a 15-year-old boy from Palmdale who has bone cancer. Coach Carroll knows Figueroa’s story and made the recommendation to Sanchez to write the boy’s name on his eye black.
After it all
Coach Carroll couldn’t have been more pleased with his team’s performance in a 52-7 season-opening win at Virginia on Saturday. Here’s what he told the Trojans in the locker room after the game:
“This is exactly what we came here to do,” a smiling Carroll yelled. “It doesn’t matter who we play, what the weather is or where we play — you better look out for the Trojans!”
• Ben Malcolmson is the Director of Online Media for USCRipsIt/PeteCarroll.com. You can contact him at Ben@PeteCarroll.com.
