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Around SBN: The Animated GIFs Of January

GameDay Open Thread - The Rose Bowl

Images_tiny by Paragon SC on in USC Football

It seems like yesterday that the season just started - wow, how time flies!

Today, we say goodbye to Big Sed, LoJack, Keith Rivers, Sam Baker, CW and John David Booty among others as they play in their last game at USC. They have given us some great memories and they will always be Trojans through and though.

This may not have been the game we wanted to play in but that is in the past and we need to focus on today and beating Illinois. There will be plenty of time to look back on what could have been. SC needs to focus on the task at hand and not pay attention to what some in the press would see as a disappointment for having to play in our 3rd straight Rose Bowl. There are nine other teams in the Pac-10 who would kill for this opportunity, for SC it is the minimum expectation.

SC needs to come out strong and remove all doubt from our detractors. SC needs to set the tone early on offense, as this is where we have been up and down all year. If the offense is solid in its production SC should win this game handily, if they sputter it will be a closer game than they would like and that could be all the motivation Illinois needs to pull off an upset. I am not worried about the defense but they will have their work cut out for them as they defend against Illinois' version of the spread/zone-read offense.

Williams and Mendenhall will get their yardage but SC will stuff the box daring Williams to throw it down field, if SC comes out unmotivated Williams will emboldened to make plays so SC needs to send him a message early in the game.

To me it is as simple as that.

Leave your comments, questions, and rants here. I will be around all day.

FIGHT ON!

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and we defer
not surprising. gets us a good look at what they will throw at us.

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:10 PM PST reply actions  

Freddie!!
our not-so-secret weapon

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:17 PM PST reply actions  

damn almost
they got the coverage they were looking for just over threw him a bit.

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:20 PM PST reply actions  

Lisa Salters for the Rose bowl?
Blah. Erin Andrews for sure.

by UT2001 on Jan 1, 2008 2:21 PM PST reply actions  

BIG JOE!!
Little bit of luck going our way!!

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:21 PM PST reply actions  

ok Vidal
hear is your chance to to show us what you got

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:22 PM PST reply actions  

TOUCHDOWN!!!
Big CW.

very efficient drive, way to roll boys!!

Ok Defense lets get'em

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:23 PM PST reply actions  

This is gonna get
out of hand quickly.  Zook's team looks a tad bi slow out there compared to your O.

by UT2001 on Jan 1, 2008 2:24 PM PST reply actions  

Musberger better not
compare Juice Williams to Vince Fucking Young.  I;m gonna puke.

by UT2001 on Jan 1, 2008 2:29 PM PST reply actions  

Don't worry
Pete can insert another future 1st round draft pick in his place.

Is the D putting a spy on Williams?

by UT2001 on Jan 1, 2008 2:31 PM PST reply actions  

Fuck yea
Hug it out bitches

by UT2001 on Jan 1, 2008 2:34 PM PST reply actions  

REY REY!!!
alright!!!!!

way to go guys!

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:34 PM PST reply actions  

Fine so what
lets go right down and score

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:35 PM PST reply actions  

Oh wow
This WILL get ugly.

by UT2001 on Jan 1, 2008 2:35 PM PST reply actions  

Touchdown!!
DESMOND!!

unsportsman like penalty

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:36 PM PST reply actions  

I like the Trojans'
attitude here. Fired up and ready to play. Something my team rarely does.

by UT2001 on Jan 1, 2008 2:37 PM PST reply actions  

Yea
I've watched too many games where we just go through the motions.

by UT2001 on Jan 1, 2008 2:40 PM PST up reply actions  

God I hate those penalties
but you can't blame Reed, he's been lost in depth chart for so long.

Sweet play though...WOW!!

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:38 PM PST reply actions  

nothing there baby
god I love Cushing, Loved watching him in HS here in NJ

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:40 PM PST reply actions  

come on guys
lets do a beteer job of wrapping them up

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:42 PM PST reply actions  

This is a minor league pro team
killing a mediocre college team. Illinois is in way over their heads.

by UT2001 on Jan 1, 2008 2:48 PM PST reply actions  

Damn!
who slipped?

Crap shit happens

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:49 PM PST reply actions  

Nothing there
SC is sniffing it out pretty good

keep it up

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:52 PM PST reply actions  

OK
if harris doesn't slip thats an INT

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:53 PM PST reply actions  

nice outlet
the line looked like they missed the blitz there. Not bad so far but we have a long way to go.

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 2:56 PM PST reply actions  

come on guys
HEY PETE HOW ABOUT A SPECIAL TEAMS COACH NEXT SEASON!!!!!

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:01 PM PST reply actions  

Nice stop by Wright
way to shake the blocker come on guys

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:03 PM PST reply actions  

offense needs to get it back on track
we're in a little bit of a sputter right now

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:04 PM PST reply actions  

Yeah...
offense needs to settle back in, can't ask the defense to all the work offense needs to put more points on the board with some longer drives..

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:09 PM PST up reply actions  

Hmmm...
some one needs to check that

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:07 PM PST reply actions  

I mean, we established the playy action so much
that Illinois are playing that before the pass.  There is no reason why on thirs and short we couldn't just run.  Please Pete, trying the raise Booty's draft stock.

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 3:09 PM PST reply actions  

OK Joe nice runback
come on offense lets get a score

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:13 PM PST reply actions  

nice kick
come brent they declined the penalty...jeez

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:18 PM PST reply actions  

is
your left tackle always that stupid, or is he having a bad game?
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 3:19 PM PST reply actions  

I think the coaches want to give JDB
a going away game.  It's not gona work, there are no Jarrets and Smith's.

So lets run, please.

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 3:20 PM PST reply actions  

they have no answers for us
come on sark...just run the damn ball

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:22 PM PST reply actions  

D is hammering Illini
but another TD before the half would be a plus

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 3:23 PM PST reply actions  

the
d is playing well, but Illinois looks lost, too.

you guys should just run down the field and score here.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 3:26 PM PST up reply actions  

they
ask an AFLAC trivia question about Rick Neuheisel???? These guys are shit heads.
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 3:27 PM PST reply actions  

There you go Zoulou
sweet change of direction lets do it some more

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:27 PM PST reply actions  

yeap
hope fully sark is hearing us and paying attention

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:28 PM PST reply actions  

TOUCHDOWN!!!
CW!

Thats number 2. he is going out on a high note!!

KEEP RUNNING THE BALL!

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:29 PM PST reply actions  

that
should be the game. Illinois isn't going to score 20 against your defense unless everyone gets sick at half time.

Now it's just a matter of pouring it on, crushing them to dust, slaughtering all.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 3:29 PM PST reply actions  

CHEATER!!!!!!!
Hey jon Loved your write up on Corn Nation Re: Slick Rick

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:32 PM PST up reply actions  

too bad
he isn't my rivals coach. he can certainly produce the material you'll need.

i cannot believe UCLA hired him.

well, yes I can. there are a lot of gutless AD's in the country.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 3:32 PM PST up reply actions  

interesting...
they are finally strating to try throwing it

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:34 PM PST reply actions  

Thank God UCLA Didn't Get Leach
He put together a great comeback against VA today.

by The Humanitarian on Jan 1, 2008 3:34 PM PST reply actions  

come on guys
keep tabs on the receivers

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:35 PM PST reply actions  

We've been giving them this the whole half
I don't mind them finally taking some of the yardage we've been giving them.  We'll adjust at the half.

by Boy Howdy on Jan 1, 2008 3:38 PM PST reply actions  

I hope so, that soft zone frustrates me
hopefully PC has a solid adjustment for that.

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:40 PM PST reply actions  

I don't like it either
Maybe our DBs will play a little tighter, but as long as we're containing their running game, they probably won't be scoring touchdowns when they get to the red zone.

by Boy Howdy on Jan 1, 2008 3:44 PM PST up reply actions  

The Illinois drive
was kept alive by that bad PF in Harris.  Without out it, maybe Illinois doesn't score at all.

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 3:48 PM PST reply actions  

Probably
that has been a bit of an issue all season. hope full PC makes the right adjustment to counter their passing game.

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:53 PM PST up reply actions  

Flutie needs to shut up
wah wah wah

so the kid celebrated,lean the back story before you shoot you mouth off clown

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:52 PM PST reply actions  

Pete didn't like it either
But it's the first TD for Des in years, and waht he's been through, I can't begrudge him.

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 3:56 PM PST up reply actions  

didn't bother me at all...
after all that kid has been through let him have some fun..

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:00 PM PST up reply actions  

SC needs to come right out
and get a score.

We need to pour it on and put this one away early.

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 3:59 PM PST reply actions  

4-60
Yep, we are on our way for another 100+ in penalites.  We always get at least one BS penalty for playing too hard (this game, the BS penalty on Harris when the receiver was still in bounds) and at least 30 yards on special teams because we don't have a special teams coach.

It's encouraging that we haven't had many offensive penalties, so far.

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 4:02 PM PST reply actions  

Yeap...
I said the same thing earlier in the thread. hat should be a top priority in the off season.

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:04 PM PST up reply actions  

a little stairway to heaven
didn't know Led Zeppelin were Trojan fans :-)

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:02 PM PST reply actions  

Pffft.
That opening drive was awful.

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 4:13 PM PST reply actions  

that
was a nice run by Illinois for that TD.

55 linebacker pulled himself too far up field, the guy ran right by him.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 4:18 PM PST reply actions  

And another special teams penalty
Please hire a goddamned special teams coach!

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 4:20 PM PST reply actions  

FUMBLE!!
nice recovery

lets not waste it guys

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:30 PM PST reply actions  

Rivers is killing US
Second play he whiffed on.  Maybe the injury is worse than thought

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 4:31 PM PST reply actions  

Illinois
shoots themselves in the foot. typical.

punched the ball right out there.

no you guys need to run the ball

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 4:31 PM PST reply actions  

Wow
What a heads-up play by McKnight

by Boy Howdy on Jan 1, 2008 4:36 PM PST reply actions  

Run Run Run
How many times do i say to post this?

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 4:38 PM PST reply actions  

TOUCHDOWN!!!
Freddie!!!

the secret weapon strikes again

and of course another stupid penalty

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:41 PM PST reply actions  

SC is getting a little too cute...
this game is far from over so they need to focus

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:42 PM PST reply actions  

nice kick by Buehler
that was important to keep the return short

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:44 PM PST reply actions  

Interception!!!
Nice play Cary!!

we needed that lets go down and score

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:45 PM PST reply actions  

STANLEY!!!!!!!
Very Nice play there...Alright!

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:47 PM PST reply actions  

TOUCHDOWN!!!
Big Joe!!!

Now thats what I'm talking about!!

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:49 PM PST reply actions  

this team
is trying to give me a heart attack.

by traveler on Jan 1, 2008 4:53 PM PST reply actions  

we have played that well
all evening but we missed that one there

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:53 PM PST reply actions  

BALL!!!!
Great strip

Where was that all season AWESOME!!!! finally

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 4:55 PM PST reply actions  

There was a block in the back by Illinois
Mendenhall is a player.

needs to learn to block to start in the League

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 4:56 PM PST reply actions  

my goodness
they are looking good yes?

by traveler on Jan 1, 2008 4:58 PM PST reply actions  

Touchdown!!
WOW!

Nice catch by Ausberry

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 5:05 PM PST reply actions  

YES
this guy should have been used a lot more this season.

by traveler on Jan 1, 2008 5:07 PM PST up reply actions  

i'm starting
to wish I were a gambling man.  I would like to have money on SC right about now.

by traveler on Jan 1, 2008 5:06 PM PST reply actions  

it's a little early...
...to be letting up - I mean I know they have a 32 point cushion, but I don't want any new year's day miracles for the Illini

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:16 PM PST reply actions  

That bubble screen hasn't worked all year
Why would it suddenly work now.

That i think is the main diff bewtwwn Chow and Sark/Kiff.  If something isn't working, Chow would not call it, even thoughit was part of the game plan.  

Sark likes to go to well again and again.

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 5:19 PM PST reply actions  

One step forward one step back
for a second I thought we'd gifted them a first down

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:19 PM PST reply actions  

no offense
but I hate the Rose Bowl.

this could have been  good game against a good team, but we ended up with this ass-kicking in the name of tradition.

I say - poor it on. Score 70 on the sunsabitches.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 5:20 PM PST reply actions  

wow
That's hard core. I like it.

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:22 PM PST up reply actions  

unfortunately...
our secondary thought you meant 70 yards in penalties

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:23 PM PST up reply actions  

or rather
pour it on. :)

rub it in?

put their head in the dirt and when they try to rise, you take your heal cleats and step on the side of their head, shoving their face back into the dirt and then you hold it there for the remainder of the game.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 5:25 PM PST up reply actions  

nice hold by Illinois
but it would be mean spirited to beg for a penalty.

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:21 PM PST reply actions  

personal foul
please don't start falling apart now.

by traveler on Jan 1, 2008 5:22 PM PST reply actions  

every time a ball gets deflected
a little more kielbasa comes back for the Illini fans

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:24 PM PST reply actions  

easy there herbie
please he had 3 years of experience and he did not do well

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 5:25 PM PST reply actions  

Mendenhall
Speaks well of him that he's still bringing it at this point I guess.

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:27 PM PST reply actions  

Illinois
looks hapless at times. Should tell us all about the state of the whole Big 10 that they're in this game.
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 5:29 PM PST reply actions  

still building
you can tell they're in a transitional state - they're not all the way there in terms of skill / execution. But if they keep working the DC area pipeline and get some experience...

That said, yeah, the Big 10 is pretty over-rated.

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:31 PM PST up reply actions  

wow
speaking of still bringing the heat - Matthews and Maualuga on fire.

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:29 PM PST reply actions  

goddamn
that's harsh - I know they had to go for it, but I think the Illini fans just started blubbing.

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:30 PM PST reply actions  

Stafon Johnson!
Now that was a run! Plus the late hit!

It's Christmas in January!

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:34 PM PST reply actions  

Here comes Hershel
it really is last call at the old timer's saloon

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:35 PM PST reply actions  

Touchdown Dennis!
now watch for another flag...

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:36 PM PST reply actions  

TOUCHDOWN!!!
Hershel!!

glad to see him get into it

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 5:37 PM PST reply actions  

BTW, my predictions SUCK
Narrow win? Maybe by 10? I should start drinking heavily before writing those (hard to believe I don't, I know) because they couldn't get any worse.

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:38 PM PST reply actions  

Why isn't some producer in Brent's ear.
There's a back story to Patch's touchdown.  The man was the starter in 2003.

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 5:38 PM PST reply actions  

I thought McGee was the pocket passer?
That was a pretty level-headed recovery of a drop.

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:41 PM PST reply actions  

damn
that was a good play who got burned there

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 5:42 PM PST reply actions  

okay
i'm switching to the Sugar Bowl....

Happy New Year to all y'all. I'll be covering college baseball heavily once again this season, and I'm sure you'll be around that :)

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation!

by cornnation @ Conquest Chronicles on Jan 1, 2008 5:42 PM PST reply actions  

we will
take care Jon

Happy new year

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 5:44 PM PST up reply actions  

Arrelious Benn
Here's a tip - don't throw the ball at the other team's band.

Still, knowing how shit DC schools are, I can't blame Benn too much.

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:43 PM PST reply actions  

Is that McDonald?
And then Johnson falls for the first down. Maybe we can get that 39 point lead back. Not to be an asshole about it or anything ; )

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:48 PM PST reply actions  

If I was Carroll...
... I'd keep an eye out as the players work through the assistants and coordinators...

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:49 PM PST reply actions  

I'm loving it
everyone is getting touches

by Paragon SC on Jan 1, 2008 5:50 PM PST reply actions  

Slick Rick...
...has been sending him text messages and waving from the stands!

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 5:53 PM PST up reply actions  

Pac 10 crew at the Sugar Bowl
predict more than a few awful calls.

by Zoulou on Jan 1, 2008 6:23 PM PST reply actions  

surely not
only the cream of the crop for bowl games... sorry, I just can't do it.

by DC Trojan on Jan 1, 2008 6:47 PM PST up reply actions  

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