Jacob Rogers is a senior left tackle for the USC Trojans. This year, he earned first team All-American honors, the first Trojan offensive lineman to do so since Tony Boselli. He also was named All-Pac-10 first team for the second year in a row and recently was given the Morris Trophy, an award given to the Pac-10's top offensive lineman. He's the eighth Trojan in 24 years to be so honored. He is the leader of the best offensive line in the Pac-10, one which gives up the fewest sacks in the league. USC's rushing totals this season are its best since the late 1980s and the Trojans have a chance to lead the conference in rushing for the first time since 1981. Here are his thoughts going into the Oregon State game, his last home game as a Trojan:

Rogers' File
Jacob Rogers 6-6, 300, Senior Outland Trophy Candidate All-American Candidate
Diary Entries
December 5, 2003 November 21, 2003 November 14, 2003 November 7, 2003 October 31, 2003 October 24, 2003 October 16, 2003 October 3, 2003 September 26, 2003 September 18, 2003 September 5, 2003

Dec. 5, 2003

This week, I found out I made All-Pac-10 and All-America. It has been such an honor to be mentioned with some of the great offensive linemen that have played at this school. It is just awesome. It's been great for all the rest of the linemen too, they have been right there with me. I couldn't have accomplished it with out them. Some of them have been here ever since I have been here. They have been there through my move from tight end to tackle and coach Davis has really helped me get to where I wanted to be the last couple of years. Of course my parents played a big part as well. They are the biggest reason I am where I am right now.

It is a tremendous feeling to be named an All-American. It is something that you hope for and work hard for in the hopes that you might get that honor. It was a personal goal I set at the beginning of the year to be honored as an All-American, but it isn't something you are thinking about all the time. For it to finally come true is a tremendous honor. My mind is more on the team goals and right now we have a chance at winning the PAC-10 championship outright. We have to come out and play this week.

Winning the Morris Trophy (honoring the Pac-10's top lineman) is great, too. There have only been eight offensive linemen from USC to win it. It's something that I will always cherish. Moving to number 77 has been great. A lot of the guys that I idolize have worn that number. To be receiving these honors and to be right there with the rest of those great names has been great.

Norm Katnik, our center, has been another guy that has worked real hard and been right there. Coming from where he came from, a lot of guys doubted him in the past. He has really stepped up and become a leader on our offensive line and our offensive team. He has been a steady guy for us. He is the leader of all of our calls on the line. The offense can't run with out him. For him to have received All-Pac-10 honors is fitting.

Next year, we lose myself and Lenny Vandermade and Norm and Eric Torres, so some guys will have to step up. I have confidence that Ryan Kalil will be able to step in and play at center. He's done a great job backing up Norm. We also have Freddie Matua and John Drake coming back. Then we have a couple talented freshmen in Drew Radovich and Sam Baker who will be fighting for spots. They need to learn the spots, but Coach Davis will do a good job getting them ready for next year. We also have some new guys coming in that can play, too.

For me personally, this is my last chance to play in the Coliseum. It is weird to think about. I've played so many times there, I can't believe this is the last time I'll ever get to play there. It's going to be a sad moment at the end of the game. But I've had fun. My mind frame is to focus on winning this Pac-10 championship and in order to do that we've got to beat Oregon State on Saturday. They are a good teamthey lead the Pac-10 in lots of categories, so they are more than capable of playing us well. I think all the other seniors have the same mind frame as meit's the last chance we have to play in that stadium, so let's go out right.

It's going to be an emotional moment coming out that tunnel. This senior class has been through the good times and bad times and we made it through and helped bring USC back.

I hope people remember me as a guy who played hard every week and who played for the guys lined up next to me. When you play offensive line, you play for the guy next to you. You know the guy next to you is busting his butt, so you want to do the same for him. That's the biggest impression that I want to leave.

Thanks for all of you out there who followed USC this season. This senior season for me has been a dream come true. Hopefully we can finish it out strong these next couple ball games.

Fight on!