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Notes and observations as USC and Texas prepare for a game that can’t possibly match their 2006 encounter ... LOS ANGELES >> You might be surprised to hear which USC coach was in tears in the locker room immediately after the Trojans lost to Texas, 41-38, in the BCS title game. Was it Pete Carroll? Steve Sarkisian? Ed Orgeron? No, someone who has a less-emotional image: Lane Kiffin. Perhaps , ...ادامه مطلب

LOS ANGELES >> Before Stephen Carr dashed for 52 yards along the north sideline of the Coliseum in USC’s win over Stanford, he ran through a vast hole. Carr, the Trojans’ freshman running back, was untouched past the line of scrimmage. The hole, on the left side of USC’s offensive line, might have been close to 10 yards, based on TV replays. Why was it so gaping? Start with left guard Chris , ...ادامه مطلب

LOS ANGELES >> A big question going into the season was how defenses wanted to try and stop a USC offense capable of passing or running with equal success? Stanford faced the dilemma at halftime Saturday night, as the Cardinal watched USC quarterback Sam Daold pass for 225 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. “Stanford decided to play softer and take away the throw in the second h, ...ادامه مطلب

ASTROS at ANGELS When: Wednesday, 7 p.m. Where: Angel Stadium TV: Fox Sports West THE PITCHERS ANGELS LHP TYLER SKAGGS (1-5, 4.86) vs. Astros: 2-2, 3.38 ERA At Angel Stadium: 2-6, 5.09 ERA Hates to face: Jake Marisnick, 3 for 3, double, HR Loves to face: Cameron Maybin, 0 for 7 ASTROS RHP LANCE MCCULLERS (7-3, 3.97) vs. Angels: 3-1, 1.55 At Angel Stadium: 0-0, 1.50 Hates to face: Shane Robinson, 2 for 4, walk Loves to face: Andrelton Simmons, 2 for 11, 3 Ks Advertisement , ...ادامه مطلب

Tom Herman arrived at Texas with much fanfare. Herman, the former Houston coach and Ohio State offensive coordinator, replaced Charlie Strong last November following three consecutive seasons in which the Longhos finished below .500. The early retus? Texas, which visits USC at the Coliseum on Saturday, split its first two home games but has shown little trouble on offense. “I think Tom is one , ...ادامه مطلب

LOS ANGELES >> His play-calling was measured, effective and, at times, even inspired. At the end, it was something else completely, something shocking after witnessing the Rams mostly depress all of last season. Sean McVay’s play-calling, to cap his head-coaching debut Sunday, was celebratory. He ordered his team to assemble in victory formation and his backup quarterback to take a clock-emp, ...ادامه مطلب

Christian McCaffrey torpedoed USC’s defense the last two seasons. As Stanford upended the Trojans three times in 2016 and 2015, McCaffrey tallied 970 all-purpose yards. How tough was it to bring down the elusive running back? Reporters covering the Pac-12 championship game in 2015 overheard then-USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox and other coaches swearing in an adjacent press box booth at Le, ...ادامه مطلب

LOS ANGELES >> Of the 159 rushing yards Ronald Jones amassed in USC’s season-opening victory over Weste Michigan, 122 came after contact. Deland McCullough, the Trojans’ running backs coach, took notice. “It ain’t always the flash and long runs,” McCullough said. “It’s the dirty work of lowering your shoulder, running through trash, breaking arm tackles and sending a physical message to yo, ...ادامه مطلب

LOS ANGELES >> USC will trot out veteran pass catchers for quarterback Sam Daold when it opens its season on Saturday against Weste Michigan. As part of the depth chart it revealed Sunday, its three starting receivers include fourth-year juniors Deontay Buett and Jalen Greene, along with fifth-year senior Steven Mitchell. “If you’ve been out there before, you kind of know how to handle, ...ادامه مطلب

Despite Noel Mazzone’s departure to Texas A&M, UCLA head coach Jim Mora continues to keep in touch with his former offensive coordinator. They texted regularly this spring and summer, but that communication has stopped this week. It’s game week. “As good of friends as we are, I want to kick his tail and he wants to kick mine,” Mora said Tuesday as the Bruins prepare for their season opener aga, ...ادامه مطلب

A’S at ANGELS When: Monday 7 p.m. TV: Fox Sports West Where: Angel Stadium THE PITCHERS ANGELS LHP ANDREW HEANEY (0-0, 8.10) vs. A’s: 1-1, 4.85 At Angel Stadium: 3-3, 4.29 Hates to face: None Loves to face: None A’S RHP DANIEL GOSSETT (3-6, 5.49) vs. Angels: First game At Angel Stadium: First game Hates to face: None Loves to face: None UPCOMING matchups Tuesday: Angels (RHP Troy Scribner, 2-1, 4., ...ادامه مطلب

Can a team that starts three slot receivers win a national championship? USC apparently believes it can based on the depth chart released Sunday night, the Trojans’ first in nine months. Quarterback Sam Daold’s first options are Rose Bowl hero Deontay Buett, converted quarterback Jalen Greene and Steven Mitchell, coming off his second knee operation. They are the most consistent and experience, ...ادامه مطلب

Ranking the top 10 sports events Aug. 28 to Sept. 3 you won’t want to miss: NO. 1: COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON OPENERS USC vs. WESTERN MICHIGAN Details/TV: At the Coliseum, Saturday at 2:15 p.m., Pac-12 Network UCLA vs. TEXAS A&M Details/TV: At the Rose Bowl, Sunday at 4:30 p.m., Channel 11 Admire Sam Daold while he’s still in got some Coliseum eligibility and a Heisman campaign. Also keep in mi, ...ادامه مطلب

After all the talk between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, it’s time for the two to meet in the ring. The interest for the fight between the two participates is expected to set record numbers on pay-per-view. What else is at stake in this fight? Mayweather promised it will be the last fight of his career but can McGregor play the spoiler on Floyd’s final appearance in the ring? If you ask McG, ...ادامه مطلب

ASTROS at ANGELS When: Friday, 7 p.m. Where: Angel Stadium TV: Fox Sports West THE PITCHERS ANGELS RHP PARKER BRIDWELL (7-1, 2.92) Vs. Astros: First game At Angel Stadium: 3-1, 3.73 Hates to face: None Loves to face: None ASTROS RHP COLLIN McHUGH (1-2, 4.01) Vs. Angels: 6-2, 2.55 At Angel Stadium: 2-2, 2.25 Hates to face: Albert Pujols, 7 for 22 (.314) Loves to face: C.J. Cron, 2 for 13 (.154) UPC, ...ادامه مطلب