November 2012 Archives

• In 2011, USC defeated UCLA to complete the first water polo 4-peat in NCAA history.  The same two teams will likely match-up this Sunday at 3 p.m. PT at the McDonald's Swim Stadium with another national crown on the line.

• The Trojans are a perfect 27-0 this season.  USC is trying to finish a complete season undefeated for only the second time ever (2008).

• Jovan Vavic is the Phil Jackson of collegiate water polo.  He has won seven national championships with the USC men's team and three more as the coach of the women's program.  He is a 10-time national coach of the year, and recently was appointed the interim head coach for the U.S. Men's National Team.

• Nikola Vavic, the head coach's son, leads the team with 79 goals this season, which is the highest total for a Trojan since 1988.  He needs just three goals to become the all-time high scorer for a single season.

• Joel Dennerley was the rock of the program in goal the last four years.  However, the Australian has passed the torch to freshman James Clark, his Olympic teammate.  Clark was recently named the MPSF's top goalie.

• Water polo plays through the rain.  In fact, the rain has been good luck for the Trojans, who have won the last two NCAA titles amid downpours.  While the forecast may call for wet weather Sunday, the show will most definitely go on!

• No matter what Max Wittek does Saturday, Lane Kiffin made it clear that the quarterback competition will be open next Spring.  "That competition regardless of backup play in this game will be completely open in the Spring," said Kiffin.
  
• However, Cody Kessler is not expected to get any series under center on Saturday.  "I just don't believe in [rotations]," said Kiffin.  "Whoever you go with, you've got to go with.  You've got to put confidence in him and not rattle him with rotations."
• Senior captain T.J. McDonald was carried off the practice field by his teammates to honor his final regular season practice as a Trojan, Pedro Moura first reported.
  
• Here is the rest from Kiffin including a Thanksgiving message...

• Lane Kiffin described Max Wittek's practice performance as "awesome" yesterday and "unbelievable" today. 
  
• T.J. McDonald and the defense believe Wittek can lead them to a victory Saturday.  "We have a lot of confidence in Max.  As long as he plays within himself and does his thing, I think that we'll be OK," said McDonald.  "We've got to give him a lot of support on defense though."
• Since USC's defense has struggled against spread offenses this season, the Trojans expect a better performance against a more traditional Notre Dame attack.  "That's no secret. Over the course of time in our three years here, we've played much better [defensively] against traditional teams," said Kiffin.
  
• The Irish still have plenty of playmakers from QB Everett Golson to RB Theo Riddick to TE Tyler Eifert.  "They've got a lot of weapons," said McDonald.  "The quarterback can run.  They are real balanced, a real well-rounded offense."
• Nickell Robey played the best game of his career last year in South Bend when he shut down NFL first round pick Michael Floyd.  The best Irish receiver in 2012 is T.J. Jones.  "Every time I look at Notre Dame, I see myself making a lot of big plays last year," said Robey.  "This year, I look forward to the same thing.  Even though Michael Floyd is not there, I'm looking to guard T.J. Jones.  Let's see what he's about."
• Robey expects the Trojans to be loose, but excited Saturday.  He wants his teammates to "just play football to have fun."  Robey relishes any opportunity to run out of the Coliseum tunnel and perform on college football's biggest stage.  "It's going to be pretty pumped Saturday.  I can't wait to have that feeling back again."
• T.J. McDonald is having a difficult time wrapping his head around running out of the tunnel for the final time as a player.  "It's kinda crazy," he said.  "I think about it sometimes and it just gets tough.  You think about everything that we've been through here.  It's my last time and the Trojan Family has been so good to me and all the rest of the seniors.  It definitely is going to be a great feeling but a bittersweet feeling."
• Special teams could play a major factor in what is expected to be a close, low-scoring affair Saturday.  To that end, USC needs Andre Heidari to shake off his recent struggles.  "For a kicker to have surgery on his knee part way through your season has to affect you somewhat, I've got to imagine that's playing a part of it," said Kiffin, who still has the utmost confidence in his kicker.
• UCLA gave Marqise Lee only one chance to return a kickoff, but Notre Dame's Kyle Brindza does not have the same kind of leg.  Kiffin is hoping more returns for Lee will swing field position in the Trojans favor.
• Here's everything the head coach said on Wednesday...

• "There's not a lot of words to describe it.  I can't feel worse for a family and a kid," said Lane Kiffin about Matt Barkley sitting out his Senior Day.  "We're going to go out and play great for him."
  
• "To not be able to suit up and to go with my guys, it's going to suck, but I don't think one game will define my time here at USC," said Barkley, who continues to express no regret about returning for his senior season.  "It's been a tremendous journey."
• Barkley did not elaborate on his timetable or chances of returning for a bowl game.  He did give the media a moments pause when he discussed his rehab workout this morning, "I was throwing the ball well, spinning it...with my left arm.  We'll see what it's like when I start throwing with my right."
• Once Barkley realized that he was not going to be able to play, he texted Max Wittek, "'Get ready.  Let's go beat the Irish,'" Wittek recalled.  "Obviously, I take that to heart.  My teammates have expressed a lot of belief in me."
• While he is embracing the challenge, Wittek is disappointed for Barkley, "With such a great career, with such a great quarterback, with such a great legacy here at USC, it's kind of sad to see that his last home game won't be able to be played by him," the redshirt freshman said.  "Obviously, that's not the ideal situation, but it is what happened.  We're going to deal with that, and we're going to try to win this ballgame."
  
• Wittek succeeded Barkley at Mater Dei, and now gets the first crack at doing so at USC.  "He's a tough kid," said Barkley about Wittek.  "It's fun for me to be able to see him progress since high school to where he is now.  I think he's going to have a great performance on Saturday."
• Wittek was not shy with the media today.  He is ready to run out of the tunnel right now.  "I'm so excited for this opportunity to get out there and play in front of the Coliseum, all our fans, the No. 1 team in the country, you really can't ask for a better opportunity to show what you got."
• As the backup quarterback, Wittek took about 25% of the practice reps this season, so neither quarterback nor receivers expect timing to be an issue.  "We're going to work on that throughout the week," said Robert Woods.  "Tomorrow, we are going to get some timing down and stay after practice with him."
• Marqise Lee said that Wittek has so much velocity on his ball that it hurts to catch it.  "You'll feel it on your hands when it hits you," Woods agreed.
  
• Kiffin said Woods and Lee "practiced as hard as they ever practiced" today, including making diving catches in routine drills, in an effort to support Wittek.  "We've got to keep his confidence high [and] make some plays when the ball is not perfect," Woods said.
  
• Khaled Holmes anticipates no issues with the snap.  While he will miss his best friend Barkley, the center has high expectations for Wittek.  "He's a really confident young man," Holmes said.  "He's got a great skillset.  He's really calm and composed.  I think he's ready for his opportunity."
• Lane Kiffin called Notre Dame "the best defense in the country."  Wittek concurred, "They are a great defense.  They have playmakers all over the field. But every defense does have their soft spots.  Theirs are obviously limited, [but] we are looking forward to taking advantage of some of those soft spots."
• In only five words, Woods had the best quote of the day about Wittek, "His story starts this weekend."
• Here is Lane Kiffin's press conference...

• As you probably know, T.J. McDonald is the son of two-time USC All-American Tim McDonald, whose other son Tevin plays for the Bruins.  As a corner last season, the younger McDonald tied the UCLA record with three interceptions against Cal.  This year, he moved to safety like his big brother and father.  He has two games with double-digit tackles.
• On every other Saturday, T.J. is Tevin's biggest fan.  "We're honest with each other about everything we see," the senior safety said.  "We're used to playing with each other before we got to college, [but] it's still family before everything.  I'm proud of the way that he plays."
  
• On this particular Saturday, big brother wants to remain in charge.  "There's always going to be that competition, but it's never going to break apart the blood," McDonald said.  "He'll be talking a lot [if UCLA wins].  He's had three years to listen to me."
  
• T.J. also knows that this rivalry is bigger than his household.  "It means a lot to not just this team, but all the players that came before you, all the alumni that are watching, people that support USC, it's a huge rivalry. We want to go out and beat UCLA and show them who owns L.A."
• If the Trojans want to defeat UCLA, they will have to slow down QB Brett Hundley, who has 24 TD passes to only 9 INTs as a redshirt freshman.  He's also a capable runner with 6 TDs on the ground.  "He's put together unbelievable numbers the whole season," Lane Kiffin said.  "You start watching, 'How can that happen with a freshman?'  It's very unusual.  They've done a great job with him.  It's a great system."
• MLB Lamar Dawson will have to contend with a mobile quarterback in a spread offense for the fourth consecutive week.  Judging by his numbers against ASU (11 tackles and an INT), he is starting to get the hang of it.  "I feel like I had a better game knowing my keys and just running to the football making plays," Dawson said. 
  
• However, Dawson credits the improvement against the Sun Devils to pride and effort as much as new schemes.  "It was a little of both," he said.  "We took a lot of pride after the last two losses and we really needed to step up."
  
• What does a guy from Kentucky know about the Crosstown Rivalry?  "I know it's a big rivalry in L.A.," said Dawson, who grew up on Kentucky-Louisville basketball games dividing his state.  "I'm ready for it and I was a part of it last year."
• (Photo by Jon SooHoo)
• Here is Lane Kiffin after practice...

• Does anyone know who USC is playing this week?  "This week is always big for our school, big for this program and goes back a long way.  The battle of LA," said senior QB Matt Barkley.
• The most unique aspect of the Crosstown Rivalry is the close proximity of the two campuses, which means a ton of familiarity between the rosters.  "The main part about this game is you know half the people on their team," said Marqise Lee.  "You are going against the people you grew up with throughout your life."
• Given that, bragging rights are always on the line for the players and the fans.  "I want to win, so I can talk smack back and forth," Lee said.  "We are going to keep our composure though.  After the game, that's when the smack talking begins."
  
• Barkley admitted that he would take some pride in finishing his career 4-0 against the Bruins.  He remembered his first three games succinctly, "Crazy ending...hurt ankle...blowout." 
  
• The 50-0 "blowout" to which Barkley is referring is ancient history with a new coaching staff and quarterback in Westwood.  "They are a much improved team from last year, that's for sure," said Barkley.  "We are not even dwelling on that.  It's going to be a great match-up."
  
• The stakes are raised this year as well with a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game on the line.  "Hopefully, it's not my last time playing in the Rose Bowl," said Barkley.
• Silas Redd, who hopes to be healthy enough to play Saturday, is new to the rivalry, but his teammates explained the significance to him.  "I am their brother now, so I feel the same way," said Redd, who has major respect for the Rose Bowl given his Big Ten background.  "This will be a great opportunity to play there at such a prestigious stadium."
  
• Robert Woods refuses to be negative about his diminishing statistics.  "Each and every Saturday, I go into the game with that thought in my head that it's going to be my day," he said.  RB D.J. Morgan, who is one of Woods' closest friends, ribbed him as the media descended upon the junior receiver.  "Why do they want to interview you, you've got two catches for -3 [yards]?" Woods relayed the story with a smile.
  
• If Marqise Lee's prediction is correct, he will need some help from Woods.  "I think it's going to be a shootout," said Lee.  "It's going to be a good game."
• Here is Lane Kiffin's post-practice press conference...

• After the worst defensive performance statistically in school history, Lane Kiffin has sensed a different attitude from that side of the ball this week.  "I can see our defense's excitement to get back out on the field.  Saturday can't come fast enough."
  
• The head coach has taken responsibility.  The defensive architect Monte Kiffin has blamed himself.  And, the players have owned up to their mistakes.  "We need to take all of it," said LB Hayes Pullard about responsibility.  "The coaches coach; the players play.  They give us the scheme and the plays to go out there and we need to go out there and execute them. 
  
• Pullard is one of many prideful people on the Trojans defense, so the 62 point barrage was tough to swallow.  "It was tough to be a part of.  It humbled us," he said.  "I've learned from it and I promised myself that it wouldn't happen again."
  
• Monte Kiffin does not want to get into specific changes in case Oregon comes up again in a month, but he spoke plainly about the performance, "We need to get better."
  
• Arizona State is not Oregon, but the Sun Devils will run a version of the uptempo spread offense this week.  "They present issues because [Taylor Kelly] is playing very efficient with his quarterback rating," said Lane Kiffin.  "They have three different backs in there that make plays...and the quarterback's ability to make plays when things break down."
  
• T.J. McDonald is the leader of the defense, so he needs to rally the troops after two morale sapping losses.  "We've got a chip on our shoulder right now," said the senior captain.  "We want to prove that we're the defense that we know we are.  We just want to be able to rebound from last week."
• Several Trojans voted for the first time Tuesday.  Among them, Robert Woods drove all the way back to Carson to exercise his constitutional right.  He proudly wore his "I voted" sticker all day.
  
• Here is Lane Kiffin mostly on the defense...

• On this election day, Lane Kiffin declined to answer all political questions, calling it "a no-win," but please make sure you cast your vote.  The blog makes for good reading on polling lines.
• Kiffin endorsed Matt Barkley and Marqise Lee, whose remarkable play has been overshadowed by team losses.  "I do feel bad because we're not winning the games, the storyline, rightfully so, is not about Matt and Marqise, it's about what we're doing wrong," said Kiffin.  "If we were winning the games, the storylines would be about Matt's play and how he's even playing better than a year ago.  And, Marqise just setting the world on fire putting up numbers that nobody's ever seen before as a true sophomore."
• Barkley's only individual negative has been an increase in interceptions from seven in 2011 to 10 already this season.  Of the 10, Kiffin estimated that seven were the result of poor decision-making.  He challenged his senior QB to set a goal of no picks over the next three games.
  
• On the Oregon loss, Kiffin again called the defense "unacceptable," and made it clear the coaching staff took the blame.  He also considered going for an onsides kick earlier in the contest, but "really kept having faith that we were going to stop them."
  
• He also called freshman left tackle Max Tuerk's play "phenomenal" against Oregon's talented ends.  "He's done a great job stepping up in that role, especially as a true freshman," said senior center Khaled Holmes.  "He's the first true freshman to start at left tackle for USC and that's saying a lot for such a storied program."
  
• The offensive line as a whole has improved gradually since the rough outing at Stanford.  "We're starting to come together.  We've played better each week," said Holmes.  "We're still not as consistent as I'd like to be, but we're definitely progressing."
  
• Holmes will be put to the test this week against Arizona State DT Will Sutton, who leads the Pac-12 with 15 tackles for loss.  "He's a great player.  He had a knee injury earlier in the year, but he's back and looked great against Oregon State.  It should be a fun match-up for us," said Holmes.
• As a captain, Holmes is tasked with rallying the troops after two emotional losses.  "Fortunately, it's not too difficult with this team.  We still have a lot to play for.  We can potentially end this season on a very positive note."
• Marqise Lee was among a couple players who engaged in a little Twitter trash talk last night with what they thought was UCLA CB Randall Goforth.  As it turned out, the Goforth account was not the player, but a UCLA fan trying to start something.  "[Goforth] is actually a friend of mine," said Lee, who thought the two were just "playing around."  Goforth and a couple other Bruins texted Lee to let him know that it was not him. 
  
• UCLA head coach Jim Mora Jr. called Lane Kiffin to alert him that the Twitter account was fake.  Kiffin then relayed the info to Lee and Robert Woods and told them to "knock it off," according to Lee.
• A long, but interesting Kiffin presser today...

Name - Brendyn Taylor

Position - Guard

Class - Freshman

Size - 6'2", 185 lbs.

Age - 18

High School - Fairfax HS (Los Angeles, CA)

Game - Taylor is the closest thing to former defensive stopper Marcus Simmons on this roster, according to Kevin O'Neill. He is not there yet, but has a ton of potential. For now, he is a long, slasher who needs to refine his offensive game, but has plenty of athleticism with which to work.

Prep Career - At Fairfax, Taylor averaged 18.0 points, 3.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. Taylor was ranked the No. 17 player in California by Cali High Sports. He helped lead Fairfax to a fifth-place ranking in the CIF Southern Section and a 20-10 record.