August 30, 2000
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What this game looked like from our eyes was that we finally had a chance to go up against a big team. Could we hold the lead? That was the number one thing that went through my head. We held them to only six yards rushing so we completed our goal as a defense. But my number one goal was just to get out of New York with a victory at the Kickoff Classic. It was something special for me. We started dominating in the fourth quarter and I saw the people leave. The team did its job and then our band really got to playing-at that point I knew for sure it was over.
I think Penn State was more shocked than anything at it all. The first play of the game when Casey got hit, you could see in his eyes that he was thinking, "Man, this team is much quicker than I anticipated." We thought from that point on that if we could go out there and keep doing this and keep our team healthy, then we could go out and do anything we wanted with this team. After the first couple series, the special teams and offense took over. Then after the defense scored its touchdown, the game really got out of hand. Their bench and their coaches kind of gave up at that point.
This week we need to focus on what Colorado has to offer. We know they lost a few offensive players, but that something that we can't dwell on too much. They could come out with something new that we've never seen. Our main focus is to keep everybody healthy and fresh and go out there and not lose one at home. We're finally at home. It's been a while since we've been at home so we want to do the same thing we did out there in New York.
This year one of my goals is to improve on my tackling. I missed a couple tackles against Penn State but some teammates of mine covered it up. My number one goal is to stay healthy. I want to play every game and play ever minute that I can.
I know that wearing the number 55 is a big responsibility at USC. There is a great tradition for that number here. It means I have to go out and give it my all everyday. There's been a lot of great players who've worn that number and I don't want it to go downhill with me. Claiborne, McGinest and Seau all wore it-I want to make sure my name is included when they mention the number 55 years from now.
In my spare time I like to relax by playing video games. I can play video games 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I must have 1,000 wires coming out of the back of my TV. Sometimes I think it's going to explode because of all the stuff I have plugged into it. I like to play WWF wrestling, but my favorite is the college football games. Before the Penn State game, myself and Zeke Moreno played the 2001 college football game. He was USC, so I had to pick another team. When I'm with my girlfriend we play little monster-fighting games. It's all great fun and a good way to relax.
