Colbert was selected in the NFL's second round. RB Chauncey Washington. His career average of 44.9 is nearly a yard above the school standard. "With Lofa Tatupu, Matt Grootegoed and Dallas Sartz, it's like we have 3 returning starters. Senior Alex Holmes, who has 58 career catches, is back after sitting out last fall with a back injury. Fr., TB Brandon Hancock, Jr., FB Sean Kelly, Rs. "The competition in the wide receiver group will be critical," said Carroll. [2] Despite low expectations, the Bruins were able to shut down Leinart and give the Trojans a close game that was not decided until the final minutes. Alex Grinch, defensive coordinator. The game against the Bruins was later vacated as a result of NCAA sanctions. [37], There was some controversy in the final team selections as the Auburn Tigers had also finished the regular season undefeated and won their bowl game, the Sugar Bowl, against the same Virginia Tech team USC defeated in the season opener; Auburn began the season ranked outside the top 15 and perhaps because of this they were unable to secure a spot in the national championship game,[38] although they did tie Oklahoma at No. "The reconstruction of our offensive line will be critical," said Carroll. Is Coach Philip Montgomery on the Hot Seat? USC fielded record-setting punt and placekicking squads. QUARTERBACKS John David Booty, So. [21] USC quickly put the game out of reach, scoring 42 points in the first half behind 4 touchdown passes Matt Leinart and school single game record-tying 3 scoring grabs by Dwayne Jarrett. But Carroll speaks from experience when he says he is confident that his 2004 Trojans will respond well. [36] The game also featured four out of five of the 2004 Heisman finalists with Leinart, White, Reggie Bush and Sooner running back Adrian Peterson, the Heisman runner-up. Shaun Cody (26 tac, 10.5 for loss, 6 sack, 1 FF, 1 dfl, 3 blk FG in 2003) will be starting for his fourth year, this year sliding out to end after spending his career at tackle. It'll be fun to see who steps up.". It's always difficult to lose a player the caliber of 4-year starter Keary Colbert, USC's career receptions leader (207) who had 1,000-yard receiving seasons the past 2 years (including 1,013 yards and 9 TDs on 69 catches in 2003). [35] USC scored next 28 points en route to a 3810 halftime lead. [11] Matt Leinart went 20-of-31 for 231 yards in three quarters before being retired from the game, Dwayne Jarrett caught a touchdown on what was his 18th birthday, and the Trojans handed the Rams their worse loss in eight years and first shut out in 85 games. Also in the mix are sophomore ex-center Kurt Katnik (1 rec, 13 yds, 13.0 avg in 2003), plus walk-ons Nick Vanderboom, a sophomore, and senior Owen Hanson. Each of them had very productive seasons last year and we're hoping for more of the same this year. "But we need to establish some depth at both safety positions, so some players will have to step forward.". [6], The game was tightly fought: Cal dominated the statistics, more than doubling USC's first downs (2812) and total yards (424205) while getting more plays (7950) and possession time (37:1122:49); Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a career performance, tying an NCAA single game record by completing his first 23 passes and guiding the Golden Bears to a first-and-goal at the Trojan 9-yard line with 1:47 to play. He became the wide receivers coach in 2019 after handling the tight ends and inside receivers in 2018. [6] The game marked the return of USC Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow to the program where he spent 27 years as an assistant under former Coach LaVell Edwards. We'll attempt to continue to play defense fast and aggressively, looking to take away the football.". 1 recruiting class in the nation. SNAPPERS It might not sound like a big deal, but USC must replace both of its long-time snappers: 4-year short snapper Joe Boskovich and 3-year long snapper Matt Hayward. PUNTERS All-American junior Tom Malone (49.0 avg in 2003), the nation's best punter, has proven to be a weapon whenever he boots the ball. He ended up as the Trojans' leading tackler in 2003. After trailing 130 in second quarter, USC scored the next 28 points with a pivotal 65-yard scoring return by Reggie Bush in the 4th quarter with the game close at 1413. [13], USC had what would be its closest game of the season against the unheralded Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium in their Pacific-10 Conference opener. As a result, USC was placed on four years' probation and forced to vacate its last two wins of the 2004 season as well as all of its wins in the 2005 season. So senior Lee Webb (9 tac, 1 FF in 2003, plus 4 tcb, 0 yds)-he started 5 times at fullback last year after seeing action at linebacker (where he played in 2001 and the first half of 2002)-will take over the starting job. Key losses from the offense are wide receiver Keary Colbert, a 4-year starter who set the USC career receptions record (207), and a trio of experienced linemen: All-American tackle Jacob Rogers (a 3-year starter), All-Pac-10 center Norm Katnik (a 3-year starter) and guard Lenny Vandermade (a 4-year starter). Junior Hershel Dennis (137 tcb, 661 yds, 4.8 avg, 4 TD in 2003, plus 10 rec, 62 yds, 6.2 avg, 1 TD), the veteran of the group, started each game last year and was effective. 2020 Seattle Seahawks Season 12 4 Lost in Wild Card to LAR, (Win Expectations: Make Div. And he punctuated USC's Rose Bowl victory over Michigan by catching a 15-yard scoring pass off a reverse. The 2004 USC Trojans finished the season 13-0 (8-0 in the Pac-10), | Pete Carrolls Record with Seattle Seahawks. [9], Colorado State visited USC in the first meeting between the two programs. The big disappointment is Donte Williams is not only coaching the cornerbacks, he got a fake title: Defensive passing game coordinator. 1 spot, so Matt will have to continue to work hard if he wants to hold them off.". TIGHT ENDS Another deep unit for USC in 2004-9 deep, in fact-is the tight ends corps. "We use our fullbacks in a variety of roles, not only as blockers and runners but as pass catchers," said Carroll. He was 10th nationally in kickoff returns (27.3, first in Pac-10) and had a scoring runback. Fr. "Darnell Bing is headed for greatness and Jason Leach does such a solid job back there," said Carroll. Fr., OT Matt Spanos, Rs. [43] All three players made the All-Pac-10 first team, with Bush making the team as both a running back and punt returner; they were joined by Mike Patterson, Matt Grootegoed, Lofa Tatupu and P Tom Malone. Carolina earned 2016 NSCAA South Regional Coaching Staff of the Year laurels, and McCaskill and Kurtz were selected as NSCAA First-Team All-Americans. RUNNING BACKS USC is loaded once again at the running back spots. It would be USC last win at Oregon State until 2013. The Trojans then return home to host Arizona and Notre Dame before concluding their season on "Championship Saturday" (Dec. 4) at UCLA. LB Rey Maualuga. [6], The Trojans prevailed over the Beavers in a tight game in heavy fog at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. [8] The game marked the emergence of running back Reggie Bush, who often lined up at wide receiver, catching five passes for 127 yards and scored three touchdowns in a tight game. USC completes 2022 football coaching staff By ETHAN HOROWITZ January 19, 2022 Head Coach Lincoln Riley brought some of his staff at Oklahoma to USC, including defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, assistant Head Coach Dennis Simmonds, and outside linebacker coach Roy Manning. Do you have a sports website? Last year, 2 Trojans finished in the Top 10 in the Heisman Trophy balloting, 5 were All-American first team selections and 9 were All-Pac-10 first teamers. Only the second sophomore (along with Stanford's John Elway) to be named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, Leinart threw for 3,556 yards and a Pac-10 record 38 touchdowns (with only 9 interceptions) last fall while finishing third nationally in passing efficiency (a USC record 164.5 rating). DEFENSIVE BACKS The good news in the secondary is that both starting safeties return. Tackle Winston Justice and guard Fred Matua return as starters on the line (John Drake, who started 7 times last year at guard and tackle, is back as well). Fr., PK Ryan Killeen, Sr., PK Tom Malone, Jr., P. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. [20], The 15th-ranked Sun Devils, under Coach Dirk Koetter, were out to prove that they were a part of the national title picture and USC was out to prove it deserved its top-ranking after a series of close games to the Bay Area schools. He led the nation in punting for 5 consecutive weeks in the middle of the 2003 campaign and would have finished as the leader (by 1.0 yards), but the efficiency of USC's offense left him 5 punts shy of having the NCAA-required minimum 3.6 punts per game. . Finally, senior leadership must surface even though we might not have more than two or three seniors starting on offense.". The tight end corps is deep, with Gregg Guenther Jr. (17 catches and 2 TDs in 2003)-also a star on the Trojan basketball team-back after starting the last half of 2003, along with Dominique Byrd (14 catches and 6 early starts in 2003) and Alex Holmes (58 career catches), USC's starter in 2002 but injured last season. "This group can do all of those things well. The USC football coaching staff has been rounded out by Lincoln Riley with the hire of Josh Henson as offensive line coach late Sunday night. LINEBACKERS USC's strength on defense will be its linebacking corps. I really like what our returning defensive players bring. Opponents averaged just 1.8 yards per carry against the Trojans last fall, a school record and 2003 national low. For a while, it appeared that Williams--who has 176 receptions for 2,579 yards and a USC record 30 touchdowns in his 2-year career--would not return in 2004 after taking advantage of a court ruling to leave after his sophomore year for the NFL. [16] The crowd was USC's largest crowd for a non-UCLA/Notre Dame rivalry game since the 1952 Cal game. It is widely considered one of the greatest college football teams of all time. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley is the new football coach at USC, and he's bringing several of his assistants with him to Los Angeles. But he was not selected because of a judicial stay on that ruling, which was then overturned. Making the second team where RB LenDale White, OT Sam Baker and S Darnell Bing, and honorable mentions to TE Dominique Byrd, TE Alex Holmes, WR Dwayne Jarrett, S Jason Leach, LB Dallas Sartz, DT Manuel Wright and CB Justin Wyatt. Is Coach Ken Niumatalolo on the Hot Seat? But both snappers (short snapper Joe Boskovich and long snapper Matt Hayward) must be replaced. Obviously there are emotional swings with sports and so the mathematical ratings do not always line up with the emotional expectations from a team. [15] By halftime, USC found itself down 11 points after the Cardinal caught them by surprise with an 82-yard run final play while trying to run out the clock to end the half. Backing him will be junior David Kirtman (5 tcb, 23 yds, 4.6 avg in 2003, plus 5 rec., 28 yds, 5.6 avg), a rugged blocker who has starting experience and is a key special teamer, and redshirt freshman Jody Adewale, a converted tailback. Since the vacated games included the Trojans' Orange Bowl win, the Trojans were later stripped of the 2004 BCS title in June 2011. Fr., DT Alex Morrow, Rs. USC then hosts Colorado State and travels to BYU and Stanford before having a trio of home games (California, Arizona and Washington) followed by a pair of road contests (Washington State and Oregon State). Providing that safety depth will be twin redshirt freshmen Brandon Ting (3 tac in 2003) and Ryan Ting (1 tac in 2003), and senior walk-ons Greg Farr (6 tac in 2003) and Chris Bocage (1 tac in 2003), who missed 2004 spring practice while recovering from a knee injury. Fr., DE Mike Patterson, Sr., DT LaJuan Ramsey, Jr., DT-DE Frostee Rucker, Jr., DE Jeff Schweiger, In. He'd then give way to LenDale White (141 tcb, team-high 754 yds, 5.3 avg, 13 TD in 2003, plus 6 rec, 15 yds, 2.3 avg, 1 TD) and Reggie Bush (90 tcb, 521 yds, 5.8 avg, 3 TD in 2003, plus 15 rec, 314 yds, 20.9 avg, 4 TD and team-best 18 KOR, 492 yds, 27.3 avg, 1 TD), now both sophomores. Coming aboard this fall as freshmen are 3 prep All-Americans: former high school teammates Jimmy Miller and Michael Stuart (Westlake High in Westlake Village, Calif.), plus Dale Thompson (Santiago High in Corona, Calif.), "We have a lot of personnel options at tight end, which is good because we emphasize the position in our offense," said Carroll. Each player must bring his best every day. The Bruins, having come off a three-week break of consecutive bye weeks, came into the game as serious underdogs in the Victory Bell. The Trojans have done a superb job of getting turnovers under Carroll, as their +1.33 turnover margin and +111 takeaways the past 3 seasons are the best marks in the nation. We were efficient and took care of the football. "While we've been effective rotating these young players, it will be interesting to see if any of them can take over a leadership role this season. The official Football Coach List for the University of Southern California Trojans The official Football Coach List for the University of Southern California Trojans Football Coaches - USC Athletics Skip To Main Content USC Athletics Main Navigation Menu [32] Trailing 103, USC scored the final 38 points. Matt Cassel, Sr. Brandon Hance, Sr. Billy Hart, Jr. Rocky Hinds, In. Gable; WR Steve Smith; WR Dwayne . He has had a great career here already and we would expect more of the same in 2004.". USC's 2014 coaching staff is rare in that it features two coaches who won bowl games in 2013neither of whom are the head coach. Fr., FB David Kirtman, Jr., FB Desmond Reed, Rs. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. His underrated, yet steady, ability-remember his highlight reel touchdown grabs against Michigan in last season's Rose Bowl-made it unwise for teams to double-cover Williams. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. As a 2002 freshman, he set NCAA frosh records for receiving yards (1,265) and TD catches (14) and the Pac-10 frosh mark for receptions (81). (Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press) Lincoln Riley isn't the. USC wound up being stripped of all wins in 2004 and 2005 and its BCS national championship in 2004. "We did a great job offensively last season," said Carroll. Kevin Arbet (5 tac, 1 for loss, 1 dfl, 1 FF in 2003, plus 4 PR, 19 yds, 4.8 avg) has 6 career starts. But, in my. The NCAA also forced USC to permanently disassociate itself from Bush. I think cornerback will be a strong position for us. But we have a lot of players fighting for playing time, including some exciting young guys who will be fun to watch.".