All losses intensely sting the players and coaches, creating pain and queasiness deep inside.
But this one did something different.
Saturday's 47-20 loss at Oregon created shame and embarrassment for the Trojans, who were utterly outplayed and are now left with loads of disturbing film to dissect on this Tell the Truth Monday. The defeat also produced a cutting question.
What do they do now?
Plain and simple, the Trojans go back to the principles that have worked for the last seven-plus seasons: Practice, tireless work and a trust in the system that's brought consecutive 11-win seasons, conference titles and BCS bowl game appearances since 2002. Knee-jerk reactions are left in the newspapers and on TV, as they don't have any place in the USC football machine. The team will return to its foundations, looking intently at Saturday's issues through a lens that's been crafted over the years of many ups and some downs.
In fact, the recuperation has already started. Coaches spent all Sunday breaking down the tape and also looking to the future, namely the Arizona State game this coming weekend. Players are in strength and conditioning workouts all morning, and the Trojans will come together for meetings starting at 2:15 this afternoon.
The road to redemption and the route to resurgence have begun.
But this one did something different.
Saturday's 47-20 loss at Oregon created shame and embarrassment for the Trojans, who were utterly outplayed and are now left with loads of disturbing film to dissect on this Tell the Truth Monday. The defeat also produced a cutting question.
What do they do now?
Plain and simple, the Trojans go back to the principles that have worked for the last seven-plus seasons: Practice, tireless work and a trust in the system that's brought consecutive 11-win seasons, conference titles and BCS bowl game appearances since 2002. Knee-jerk reactions are left in the newspapers and on TV, as they don't have any place in the USC football machine. The team will return to its foundations, looking intently at Saturday's issues through a lens that's been crafted over the years of many ups and some downs.
In fact, the recuperation has already started. Coaches spent all Sunday breaking down the tape and also looking to the future, namely the Arizona State game this coming weekend. Players are in strength and conditioning workouts all morning, and the Trojans will come together for meetings starting at 2:15 this afternoon.
The road to redemption and the route to resurgence have begun.
I see today as the turning point where a new winning streak will start.. I'd rather be a Trojan than a fan of anywhere else. Win or lose. The dominance begins anew today. Fight On.
Advice for the Trojans? If I was in the locker room I would tell them to embrace our motto-FIGHT ON! It’s not only about fighting onwards but about finding the internal drive and fight in the midst of the struggle. When the scoreboard says, “You can’t win!” a fighter says, “The games not over now step back and let me play.” It’s this type of mindset or rather heartset which sets the mighty apart from the mediocre. It’s the FIGHT in a true leader that can change the course away from what has been to what can be. They must get dirty. They must stumble home bruised and half beaten but they aren’t shaken because they came home a winner. On Saturday we needed a fighter-a hero-someone to step into the huddle, look each player in the eye and reach inside to awaken their heart. A fighter doesn’t expect to win on reputation alone. A fighter doesn’t fall prey to the myth that opponents are weaker then them. A fighter knows every opponent wants to take them down. A fighter knows they will have to earn every yard-inch by inch until 0:00. We didn’t fight. But fight we must.
Yes, it was an embarrassment to be completely out coached and out-played on Saturday; however..... for all the changes that Coach has undergone with this program this year, our SC Trojans are doing pretty darn good.
For the rest of the season, the remaining 4 games will challenge the Trojan team to make their statement to themselves, the school, the football press and the fans. The statement to be made is this: We are Trojans, we are a force to be reckoned with; you will feel us; we will win every game and "Leave no doubt" at the end of the season, as to our power, our sense of who we are as a team...... Trojans win forever.
Good luck gentleme.
We're all behind you.......
FIght On.
Saturday was a humbling loss. Oregon deserves all the credit in the world for beating us in every phase of the game.
The key for this Trojan team is to start the turn around today. Watch the films and find the correctable mistakes and shore up the weaknesseses that have been exposed the last 3 games.
Everyone is ready to write us off. It is up to the players, coaches, students, the university, and alumni to all stand together and say "NOT SO FAST!".
Pete is a great coach who has led us to many great victories. I'm convinced we'll turn it around and win the last 4 games. But it starts with the attitude we have and fixing the problems.
FIGHT ON!
Seriously, nobody loves the Trojan football team anymore than I do. I've been a rabid fan since my freshman year in 1979. Coach Carroll has been fielding the very best teams in USC history, IMHO, and I just don't understand how the team could not be hitting on all cylinders against a team like Oregon in this year's situation with everything on the line. I also don't understand how the team could lose to a team like Washington this year; after losing to celler dweller teams like Stanford, UCLA and OSU the past few years. There is a trend here, that needs to be addressed by coaches team leaders, and all the players, or it won't be resolved. The solution needs to be carried forward to the teams of the future, so Southern Cal stops giving up National Championships! Is there anyone out there that doesn't believe USC was potentially the best team in the nation every year of this decade? The Trojans were better than the Longhorns! No question in my mind!! Anyway, fight on boys. I love you guys no matter what.
I've seen worse. Both Oregon and USC have 4 games left. Oregon still needs to travel to Stanford and Arizona, and battle Oregon State (which is intense as us vs. that other team in baby blue uniforms). Anything can happen AND IT HAS!! But we've got to win out and leave no doubt. I'm excited because it's been fun so far and it isn't over yet. It's going to be a blast from here on out. I'M IN!!
Great way to respond. The bottom line....We all still love you....