Thursday, September 10, 2009
USC's scheme to stop Terrelle Pryor
Here is an in-depth read on how Pete Carroll might stop Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor from running wild Saturday. Carroll has said defending a running quarterback, especially one with Pryor's blazing speed, is difficult.
Freshman Barkley Mr. Cool entering Ohio State game
Photo from USC athletic department
Barkley was scanned before leaving LAX.
Matt Barkley will face more pressure than he has in his young life Saturday at The Horseshoe, but the 19-year-old doesn't seem to be fazed by the moment.
"I don’t think he’s like most guys," coach Pete Carroll told Josh Peter of Yahoo! sports. He wouldn’t be in the position he’s in if he was typical. We’ve had extraordinary quarterbacks come in unable to do what he’s done, so we’ll see what happens. He still has to get there and do it. But he’ll handle himself quite well, I’m sure.”
Said USC receiver Damian Williams: "This is his first game on the road in college. That’s tough enough in itself,” said Williams, USC’s top receiver. “And playing in a very hostile environment, one of the loudest places in the country … the main thing with him is to be confident. Confident in himself and confident that we’re there to support him.”
1969 Rose Bowl: Ohio State beats USC
Classic video of 1969 Rose Bowl, when Woody Hayes' Ohio State Buckeyes shut down All-American O.J. Simpson.
AP video preview of USC-Ohio State game
Here is a video preview of Saturday's game between No. 3 USC and No. 8 Ohio State, courtesy of the Associated Press:
Carroll says Stafon Johnson will play major role
While Joe McKnight is the No. 1 tailback for USC, coach Pete Carroll said Stafon Johnson will play a significant role.
"He's significantly involved," Carroll told the Los Angeles Daily News. "He's right in there. We'll see how the game goes. We'll see what happens and all that. We're counting on Stafon to be right in the middle of everything for us. He's a terrific player for us."
"He's significantly involved," Carroll told the Los Angeles Daily News. "He's right in there. We'll see how the game goes. We'll see what happens and all that. We're counting on Stafon to be right in the middle of everything for us. He's a terrific player for us."
Lantern's breakdown for USC-Ohio State game
The Lantern, the student paper for Ohio State, has a position by position breakdown of the USC-Ohio State game.
Jim Tressel says he will keep tricks to a minimum
Jim Tressel says he won't pull out a lot of tricks with Terrelle Pryor and the offense against USC Saturday night.
"There's a line to figure out, and sometimes you're right and sometimes you're wrong," Tressel told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Is it good to give them something new? If you do it well and if it doesn't take away from you getting better at the things you always do. I've been in games where we had two or three things planned and we never got to them because it just didn't present itself. I think if you get crazy, your players are like, 'I guess what we prepared for nine months wasn't any good. We need something brand new.' So I think you have to be smart about how much and what."
"There's a line to figure out, and sometimes you're right and sometimes you're wrong," Tressel told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Is it good to give them something new? If you do it well and if it doesn't take away from you getting better at the things you always do. I've been in games where we had two or three things planned and we never got to them because it just didn't present itself. I think if you get crazy, your players are like, 'I guess what we prepared for nine months wasn't any good. We need something brand new.' So I think you have to be smart about how much and what."
Hines expected to start at free safety for Ohio State
Ken Gordon of the Columbus Dispatch says Jermale Hines is expected to start in place of Anderson Russell at free safety in Saturday's game.
Also, Andre Amos will split time at cornerback with Devon Torrence.
Also, Andre Amos will split time at cornerback with Devon Torrence.
Brice Butler: One of sons who also rises
Mark Whicker has a column on Brice Butler, son of Bobby Butler and one of several players involved in Saturday's game who had fathers that played pro football.
Writes Whicker: "The fathers of safety Taylor Mays, tight end Rhett Ellison, running back Marc Tyler, defensive end Wes Horton, brother and linebacker Shane Horton, tackle Matt Kalil, defensive end Devon Kennard and safety T.J. McDonald all played pro football, mostly in the NFL. And you don't need to be told about the Matthews clan.
"Having an NFL dad doesn't guarantee you can play receiver, or, for that matter, croquet. But if they have the physical gifts, the kids thrive on other advantages."
And here are updates from USC's final practice in Los Angeles, courtesy of the Orange County Register.
Coach Pete Carroll said center Kristopher O’Dowd (knee) and cornerback Kevin Thomas (illness) will start.
Running back Marc Tyler limped off the field and did not return. Carroll said a teammate stepped on his foot. Defensive back Josh Pinkard (foot) practiced after missing part of Wednesday’s workout.
Carroll said defensive tackle Averell Spicer (ankle), linebacker Luthur Brown (academics), and cornerback Brian Baucham (illness), all of whom sat out last week, will play.
Writes Whicker: "The fathers of safety Taylor Mays, tight end Rhett Ellison, running back Marc Tyler, defensive end Wes Horton, brother and linebacker Shane Horton, tackle Matt Kalil, defensive end Devon Kennard and safety T.J. McDonald all played pro football, mostly in the NFL. And you don't need to be told about the Matthews clan.
"Having an NFL dad doesn't guarantee you can play receiver, or, for that matter, croquet. But if they have the physical gifts, the kids thrive on other advantages."
And here are updates from USC's final practice in Los Angeles, courtesy of the Orange County Register.
Coach Pete Carroll said center Kristopher O’Dowd (knee) and cornerback Kevin Thomas (illness) will start.
Running back Marc Tyler limped off the field and did not return. Carroll said a teammate stepped on his foot. Defensive back Josh Pinkard (foot) practiced after missing part of Wednesday’s workout.
Carroll said defensive tackle Averell Spicer (ankle), linebacker Luthur Brown (academics), and cornerback Brian Baucham (illness), all of whom sat out last week, will play.
Buckeyes play it close to vest
It will be high stakes for Ohio State when USC comes to town Saturday, but the Buckeyes are playing it close to the vest, writes Chris Dufresne of the Los Angeles Times.
Hollywood comes to Columbus
USC brings its cavalcade of star running backs, the pomp and circumstance of its band and the best coach west of Gainesville, Fla., when the Trojans visit Columbus for their showdown with Ohio State. It's Hollywood in Columbus writes Darren Everson of The Wall Street Journal.
Heisman Trophy Tour Stops at USC-Ohio State game
Nissan will be hosting the Sports Illustrated Heisman Trophy Tour at the USC-Ohio State game in Columbus outside the St. John Arena.
The 100-foot by 100-foot tent opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and activities will continue until kickoff at 8 p.m. Among the activities are chances to meet and get autographs from Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner who won four Big Ten Conference titles with Ohio State and Marcus Allen, former USC Heisman Trophy winner.
This tour, with different Heisman winners, will be making stops at 10 select college games throughout the season, including the SEC championship.
The 100-foot by 100-foot tent opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and activities will continue until kickoff at 8 p.m. Among the activities are chances to meet and get autographs from Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner who won four Big Ten Conference titles with Ohio State and Marcus Allen, former USC Heisman Trophy winner.
This tour, with different Heisman winners, will be making stops at 10 select college games throughout the season, including the SEC championship.
How national media see USC-Ohio State game
Sports Illustrated wonders how Matt Barkley will handle the 105,000-plus at The Horseshoe along with thoughts on how this game might also be a big one for Jim Tressel's reputation.
Also, ESPN's Dr. Buckeye, Akeek Bhatt provides his viewpoint on the game.
Here is a matchup look at the game from Rivalry. Esq.
Also, ESPN's Dr. Buckeye, Akeek Bhatt provides his viewpoint on the game.
Here is a matchup look at the game from Rivalry. Esq.
How would Tebow fit in USC's offense?
Just how would Tim Tebow fit in at USC? That question was asked to Pete Carroll earlier this week.
“I don’t think he would have run as much here as he has done there, but he certainly would have,” Carroll told the Orange County Register. “He’s such a brute. He’s an amazing force in the game. We watched him in the summer some just to see what he’s all about. He pounds you.
“It’s a very conservative style with him in that they know they can make four yards with him every play. If he was with us, we would have tried to utilize a lot of the same stuff.”
“I don’t think he would have run as much here as he has done there, but he certainly would have,” Carroll told the Orange County Register. “He’s such a brute. He’s an amazing force in the game. We watched him in the summer some just to see what he’s all about. He pounds you.
“It’s a very conservative style with him in that they know they can make four yards with him every play. If he was with us, we would have tried to utilize a lot of the same stuff.”
Just who is the best USC offensive player?
The Orange County Register has this poll on the best USC offensive player. Damian Williams leads the early voting.
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