As players sat stunned and silent at their lockers after the 55-21 humiliation in the Coliseum, the only noise that could be heard was a faint one.But it was one that hurt deep to the core.
A spine-chilling din of triumphant shouts and songs was coming through the walls and vents all the way from the visitor's locker room, where Stanford was celebrating its demolition of USC on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, shame, embarrassment, nausea and a feeling of emasculation welled up in the silence of the Trojan locker room before Coach Carroll called the players together.
"This was a very humbling experience," a shell-shocked Carroll said, his words thankfully providing enough noise to drown out the nearby celebration and also serving as salve for the Trojans' battered hearts. "I never thought I'd see the day -- never -- where something like this could happen.
"There are no words to say -- we got our butts kicked."
The truth of the day stung hard and stung deep, creating a feeling so unlike that after any loss ever before. This was different than an unexpected early-season defeat at Washington, different than a late-season thud at UCLA, different than a heartbreaking loss in the national championship game.
No, this was unique, because of the utter dishonor felt and the total upheaval of direction now faced. The Trojans, shamed beyond belief on Saturday, now don't come close to controlling their own destiny in the conference race. It's an odd feeling for a program that essentially had a vice grip on the Pac-10 for the last seven seasons.
"I know you hate it," Carroll said with his team circled around him. "You should hate it."
What could the Trojans take from a humiliation like Saturday's? Only the eternally optimistic Carroll could find positives in a 55-21 loss.
The score -- and the 27-0 tally in the fourth quarter -- didn't show it, but the Trojans continued to fight even when the game became unrealistically out of reach. Coaches and players were passionately encouraging each other on the sidelines, especially when the mountain got steeper to climb in the second half. Pleas of "keep fighting!" and "bring your heart!" rang on the sideline throughout the game. And it was that never-say-die attitude and unwillingness to relent that Carroll lauded in the locker room after the loss.
"The real important part of what happened was that you stayed together, you kept fighting, you kept battling," Carroll said. "I'm really proud of that. That's what we can take from this game. "I'm counting on what happened today -- playing together, giving your heart -- to follow us the rest of this year."
But what does the rest of the year entail for the Trojans? Where do they go from here? Their one and only task now is getting right and getting ready for UCLA in two weeks. After that, time will tell, but first, all focus must turn to their next meeting, their next practice, their next game if any resurrection is to be experienced.
"Let's get back to work on Monday and see how far we can take this," Carroll told the players. "We're going to take this as far as we possibly can."
After a solemn team prayer, Carroll added one more thought. "We've got to stay together through this. Does everyone understand?"
Players responded in unison with, "Yes sir," before returning to the painful silence that hovered so conspicuously in the locker room.
Saturday's setback was yet another in a season full of them. Whether a tragic weightlifting injury to their star tailback, a heartbreaking loss on the field or a range of other devastating turns in the journey through the 2009 season, it undoubtedly hasn't been an drama-free campaign.
"It just feels like that kind of year, where we've got to keep bouncing back from things," Carroll said in the locker room.
But after every unexpected and demoralizing defeat, the Trojans have not been defeated. They've always bounced back, with each piece of heartache eventually achieving a greater good in the players and coaches. All the adversity has been producing character in the Trojans, and that character is producing hope for what's ahead.
Fortunately, seasons aren't judged by what happened in Game 10 (or Game 3 or Game 8), but instead by the body of work at the end. If the Trojans can bounce back and finish this season strong, who knows what can happen or where this journey will go. It's not worth the energy or time to get buried in the pity, disappointment and feeling of sickness. The past has passed by, and the future features hope.
If there's any hope of redeeming this season, this loss cannot dictate the team's next steps or how to approach the upcoming challenges.
The Trojans' character can, though. And here's to guessing it will.
...what does not kill us, makes us stronger...FIGHT ON !!!
Well said, Ben.
But, I have heard in other losses where Pete has asked how the kids are going to respond or by playing the song "The Kids Ain't Alright."
It's not fair to blame the kids anymore. They may have had a spirited practice or come back to show that "they are alright" but I think Pete needs to look at himself and his staff. Maybe not right now but certainly after the season.
Pete shouldn't be afraid to make changes or look at what he can do to improve himself and his staff. He sought to improve himself after 2001. He should be game to do the same after this season.
It's only fair to the kids who are giving it their all for his system.
For many of us who have been loyal fans for many years realize, beating UCLA and ND and going to a bowl game can be a successful season.
Fight On and Beat the Bruins!!!!
Beat the Bruins! Always better to be a Trojan than anything else. Fight On.
Yeah, beating ND 8 straight is great! Now, beat UCLA, Arizona and win the bowl game. Then we have something to build on for next year's team.
Agree completely about staff changes. Defense, offense, special teams. Please get some creativity going, and don't shy away from going for amazing in favor of sticking with safe. Joe McKnight's reverse run was incredible, but obviously not planned... that's the spirit you need all 4Qs. How I miss that.
Whatever the coaching staff and the players do, Trojan fans need to know, and perhaps be reminded, that they should be supporting their team through the entire journey, from the beginning to the end. Coach Carroll is always pushing his team to "Finish". Well maybe the all fair-weather fans who were out there at the game today need to learn this lesson well.
How heartbreaking it must have been, as a player on the field today, to look into the crowd during the fourth quarter and see your fans walking away. The team never gave up on themselves, but the fans sure gave up on the team.
We earned the name "Trojans" because we kept playing our hearts out even though the situation was hopeless and the game was already over. We say "Fight On!" to remind ourselves that no matter how lost the cause is, we keep striving for it because that is who we are, and that is how the game is played.
So think about what Fight On really means. The coaches and the team know, do you?
P.S. The song "Kids aren't alright" isn't a diss on the players, it's the band's song for the team.
As an alum (MPA 1990), I'm still proud of our football team even though they lost today. We still have a chance to finish the season at 9-3 and with a win in a bowl game finsh at 10-3.
Today's loss was one that we have never faced before. Football can be a very humbling game. One day you can be on top and dominate a team and one day you can be dominated. We need to focus on finishing strong, fixing the problems on offense and defense, and not giving up on each other.
This season will be a learning and growing experience for us. We will learn that all the years we took going to the Rose Bowl for granted and whined about it should never happen again. We may have to make adjustments for next season and recruit even harder than we have in the past.
I believe we can rebound and will respond to the challenge.
FIGHT ON AND ALWAYS COMPETE!
Why would USC need to recruit harder we have plenty of great players, also plenty coming in. I would think that the coaching staff needs to come together as a whole and take a look at themselves, asking the ? are we working hard enough and together.
As all good football coaches do, they will evaluate at the END of the season. Yeah, I saw the fair-weather fans walk out. Humble-pie never tastes good, but as Wendy stated above, "...what does not kill us, makes us stronger..."
With all that the Trojans lost--as far as players go--after last season, I was hoping that we would skip the humble-pie season, but, eventually, we had to take our medicine--one that will certainly make us better and stronger.
BUT I have seen the future and I am extremely excited!! The USC/UCLA game is going to go down as one of the best in the history of the rivalry. Wow!! And Arizona!! Talk about bringing out the best in the team!! Ya gotta love it.
All in all, Matt Barkley has not had the type of freshman season that the typical freshman quarterback always has--he's done a helluva lot better than that. That being said, he and the rest of the team can only get better. I'm looking at next season--are you ready--13-0 BABY!!!!
I am not going to miss out!!
I AM DEFINITELY IN!!!!!!!!
Time to look at where the Trojans have been and where they might be going. The entire coaching staff has turned over. They are starting 8 new players on defense and a frosh QB. They've lost arguably their best back in a terrible accident. They've had two awful losses but are 7-3 and beat Ohio State and Notre Dame. There are a ton of teams in Division 1 who would LOVE to be 7-3. Time to take a deep breath, get ready for the Bruins, get back to confidence and one play at a time.
I'm still in...
Everyone must realize its not easy replacing Sanchez, Maleuga, Cushing, Matthews, etc. - look how they are all excelling in the NFL. Our guys will get better and every experience only makes them stronger. Barkley - keep it up - we love you - we know starting you as a true freshman was like giving a 19 year old the keys to the Ferrari! Lots to handle - but you'll be ok! And we never had to run up the score or hammer other teams - when we win - we win with class! Still a great day to be a Trojan! I'm IN!!! Go Pete - still gotta always compete! FIGHT-ON and Beat the Bruins!
We all knew this would be a rebuilding year – but Pete and the team teased us when we beat Ohio State...You have us spoiled! But we believe in you all and let’s finish the season right.
Observations from a Football Chick:
Pete – you usually come out at half-time with wonderful adjustments, This season (and Oregon State last year) – you looked like a deer in the headlights. Is it the team? Is it your coaching staff? We miss those brilliant adjustments and look of confidence.
Believe in the team…not the players. If Booty (can’t get over that one), Barkley, D-Line are having a bad game. Pull them out. We all can’t be perfect every time and we all have off days. That is why you have depth. I would rather loose with the scout D-line than a D-line that thinks opponents will fall because they are SC and they are going to the NFL. Competition Tuesday should also happen at the game. You don’t play up to Pete Standards – you will be replaced.
Hang in there...we will!
Ben, that was beautifully written!!
I keep reminding myself that after all the players lost last year and the team structure this year, SC wasn't even supposed to be this good (7-3), but we have indeed been spoiled over the years. However, losses like this to such a young team is like refining silver - they will emerge strong and shiny. It's incredibly painful to watch - but I agree with Trojan Spirit that those stands should have been full to the end of the game, and the players encouraged off the field. They didn't give up, and neither should the fans. The players, the coaches, the band - everything about SC is a class act, and so are the fans, so stand behind the boys all the way!