Instant Analysis: Army All-American Bowl 
January, 7, 2012
1/07/12
2:08
PM PT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
It was a big day for the Pac-12, as programs throughout the conference received a good look at some future players during the West’s 24-12 victory over the East in the Army All-American Bowl.
For the USC Trojans, the big news came in the form of a verbal commitment from cornerback Kevon Seymour (Pasadena, Calif./Muir). The Trojans had been in a battle with Oregon, California, Washington and UCLA for the talented two-way athlete, but USC solidified its lead over the past few weeks and landed a player with the size and speed capable of making an impact early in his USC career. Seymour was in on a few tackles during the game and was flagged for pass interference on a deep ball.
The Trojans received a big blow when it came to the defensive line, however. Defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy (Monrovia, Calif./Monrovia) committed to the California Golden Bears -- one of three California commits on the day -- putting USC in a very difficult position to land arguably the top defensive lineman in the state. McCarthy will officially visit USC in the coming weeks and the Trojans will still have a chance to sign him, but California has to be considered the heavy favorite at this point. USC will also face an uphill battle for defensive end Tyriq McCord (Tampa, Fla./Jefferson), who committed to Miami during the game. McCord is scheduled to visit USC on Jan. 20, but pulling him away from home could be difficult.
For the USC Trojans, the big news came in the form of a verbal commitment from cornerback Kevon Seymour (Pasadena, Calif./Muir). The Trojans had been in a battle with Oregon, California, Washington and UCLA for the talented two-way athlete, but USC solidified its lead over the past few weeks and landed a player with the size and speed capable of making an impact early in his USC career. Seymour was in on a few tackles during the game and was flagged for pass interference on a deep ball.
The Trojans received a big blow when it came to the defensive line, however. Defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy (Monrovia, Calif./Monrovia) committed to the California Golden Bears -- one of three California commits on the day -- putting USC in a very difficult position to land arguably the top defensive lineman in the state. McCarthy will officially visit USC in the coming weeks and the Trojans will still have a chance to sign him, but California has to be considered the heavy favorite at this point. USC will also face an uphill battle for defensive end Tyriq McCord (Tampa, Fla./Jefferson), who committed to Miami during the game. McCord is scheduled to visit USC on Jan. 20, but pulling him away from home could be difficult.
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SAN ANTONIO -- Twenty juniors have given verbal commitments to play in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl next January. Four of the players -- receiver Ahmad Fullwood (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny), linebacker Dorian O’Daniel (Olney, Md./Our Lady Of Good Counsel) and defensive backs Eli Woodard (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) and Kendall Fuller (Olney, Md./Our Lady Of Good Counsel) -- were announced during the second quarter of this year’s game.
Here’s the list of the other 16 players expected to play next year:
DE Kenny Bigelow (Bear, Del./Red Lion Christian)
QB Max Browne (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline)
QB Ryan Burns (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge)
DB Cam Burrows (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison)
DB Su’a Cravens (Vista Murrieta, Calif.)
OL Austin Golson (Prattville, Ala.)
WR Derrick Griffin (Rosenberg, Texas/Terry)
LB Peter Kalambayi (Matthews, N.C./Butler)
LB E.J. Levenberry (Woodbridge, Va./E.D. Hylton)
LB Daniel McMillian (Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast)
OL Khaliel Rodgers (Bear, Del./Red Lion Christian)
DL Garrett Sickels (Little Silver, N.J./Red Bank)
TE DeSean Smith (Lake Charles, La./Barbe)
QB Tyrone Swoopes (Whitewright, Texas)
OL Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Whitewright)
DB Nick Washington (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian)
Here’s the list of the other 16 players expected to play next year:
DE Kenny Bigelow (Bear, Del./Red Lion Christian)
QB Max Browne (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline)
QB Ryan Burns (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge)
DB Cam Burrows (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison)
DB Su’a Cravens (Vista Murrieta, Calif.)
OL Austin Golson (Prattville, Ala.)
WR Derrick Griffin (Rosenberg, Texas/Terry)
LB Peter Kalambayi (Matthews, N.C./Butler)
LB E.J. Levenberry (Woodbridge, Va./E.D. Hylton)
LB Daniel McMillian (Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast)
OL Khaliel Rodgers (Bear, Del./Red Lion Christian)
DL Garrett Sickels (Little Silver, N.J./Red Bank)
TE DeSean Smith (Lake Charles, La./Barbe)
QB Tyrone Swoopes (Whitewright, Texas)
OL Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Whitewright)
DB Nick Washington (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian)
Mission Viejo, Calif., defensive back Max Redfield attended the UCLA- Arizona basketball game Thursday night and picked up his second scholarship offer right before tipoff.
Redfield is one of the top junior safeties in the region. He plays on both sides of the ball for the Diablos, but is being recruited strictly in the secondary. USC offered last month and the Bruins have now followed suit.
“UCLA is a great school, and I’m really excited about this offer,” Redfield said. “I went to the UCLA basketball game last night and talked to Jim Mora before the game started. He pulled me a side to talk to me and told me I had an offer, so that was pretty exciting and it’s a big deal having offers from both two local schools now.
Redfield is one of the top junior safeties in the region. He plays on both sides of the ball for the Diablos, but is being recruited strictly in the secondary. USC offered last month and the Bruins have now followed suit.
“UCLA is a great school, and I’m really excited about this offer,” Redfield said. “I went to the UCLA basketball game last night and talked to Jim Mora before the game started. He pulled me a side to talk to me and told me I had an offer, so that was pretty exciting and it’s a big deal having offers from both two local schools now.
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USC targets set to shine in U.S. Army All-American Bowl
January, 6, 2012
1/06/12
12:19
PM PT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Nearly a dozen USC recruiting targets will take the field Saturday afternoon for the 2012 Army All-American Bowl (10 a.m. PT, NBC). WeAreSC offers a primer for USC fans wanting to check out the potential future Trojans.
East
No. 1 - WR Stefon Diggs (Olney, Md./Good Counsel)
East
No. 1 - WR Stefon Diggs (Olney, Md./Good Counsel)
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USC’s only verbal commit playing in the Under Armour All-America Game was Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick. The tight end from Rocklin, Calif., was the Black team’s most productive receiver for the majority of the game. In the second quarter, Fitzpatrick had two catches on the same drive that totaled for 25 yards. On one of those catches he took on four White defenders, who struggled in bringing the big tight end down.
The highlight for Cope-Fitzpatrick was in the third quarter, when he was thrown a very difficult pass that he had to readjust to on the fly while making a acrobatic catch in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. Other than a dropped pass in the fourth quarter, Cope-Fitzpatrick had a very good game and showed that he can be productive coming in as a freshman.
On the offensive line, there were two USC hopefuls that stood out from the rest. Isaac Seumalo (Corvallis, Ore./Corvallis), who is being recruited more for his services at the guard position, was lined up at right tackle for the White team. Seumalo hands down had the best technique and overall game of the linemen and proved why he is one of the top interior linemen in this year’s class.
The highlight for Cope-Fitzpatrick was in the third quarter, when he was thrown a very difficult pass that he had to readjust to on the fly while making a acrobatic catch in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. Other than a dropped pass in the fourth quarter, Cope-Fitzpatrick had a very good game and showed that he can be productive coming in as a freshman.
On the offensive line, there were two USC hopefuls that stood out from the rest. Isaac Seumalo (Corvallis, Ore./Corvallis), who is being recruited more for his services at the guard position, was lined up at right tackle for the White team. Seumalo hands down had the best technique and overall game of the linemen and proved why he is one of the top interior linemen in this year’s class.
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Instant Analysis: USC targets in UA All-America Game
January, 5, 2012
1/05/12
9:13
PM PT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Tight end Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick (Rocklin, Calif./Whitney) was the lone USC commit in Thursday's Under Armour All-America Game, and while his Black team was defeated 49-16 by the White team, Cope-Fitzpatrick provided a highlight for his squad.
The big tight end hauled in his team's lone touchdown, going up in the end zone and turning his body completely around to snag a ball thrown over his opposite shoulder. Cope-Fitzpatrick added a first-down grab early in the game, making a solid catch on an out route before hitting the sideline. There were a couple miscues, which prove there is still room for development, but Cope-Fitzpatrick capped off a solid week with a very nice performance in the game, complete with a victory sign after his touchdown.
Of the USC targets, it has hard not to notice defensive lineman Leonard Williams (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland), who registered a sack and improved his stock as much as anybody during the week-long event. Williams engaged in several terrific one-on-one battles with fellow USC target Isaac Seumalo (Corvallis, Ore./Corvallis).
The big tight end hauled in his team's lone touchdown, going up in the end zone and turning his body completely around to snag a ball thrown over his opposite shoulder. Cope-Fitzpatrick added a first-down grab early in the game, making a solid catch on an out route before hitting the sideline. There were a couple miscues, which prove there is still room for development, but Cope-Fitzpatrick capped off a solid week with a very nice performance in the game, complete with a victory sign after his touchdown.
Of the USC targets, it has hard not to notice defensive lineman Leonard Williams (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland), who registered a sack and improved his stock as much as anybody during the week-long event. Williams engaged in several terrific one-on-one battles with fellow USC target Isaac Seumalo (Corvallis, Ore./Corvallis).
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SAN ANTONIO -– Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) is a walking tower at 6-foot-9 and 310 pounds. He is the bookend that will protect the blind side of his quarterbacks at Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl
As physically imposing Banner is, he’s made a case in San Antonio as being the most intellectually imposing player. Banner’s articulation and vocal eloquence is as impressive – if not more – as his pancake blocks.
Ask the uncommitted offensive lineman about his college choices, and he’ll give you much more than his schools of interest. Banner has USC, Oklahoma and Washington on his short list with Michigan and Notre Dame on the outside looking in, and while he’s looking for a quality football program, he’s also focused on studying at a place considered a quality academic institution.
As physically imposing Banner is, he’s made a case in San Antonio as being the most intellectually imposing player. Banner’s articulation and vocal eloquence is as impressive – if not more – as his pancake blocks.
Ask the uncommitted offensive lineman about his college choices, and he’ll give you much more than his schools of interest. Banner has USC, Oklahoma and Washington on his short list with Michigan and Notre Dame on the outside looking in, and while he’s looking for a quality football program, he’s also focused on studying at a place considered a quality academic institution.
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Stefon Diggs (Olney, Md./Good Counsel) has been a difficult read when it comes to recruiting, and it doesn't sound as if things will get any easier for those hoping to guess where the No. 10 ranked player in the ESPNU 150 will sign. In fact, Diggs doesn't plan to sign anywhere when Feb. 1 rolls around, opting to prolong the process and choose a school either the following week or even later.
ESPN HornsNation's William Wilkerson caught up with Diggs at the Army All-American Bowl practices and was able to grab a top-six list from the offensive star of the week to this point. Diggs listed USC, California, Florida, Auburn, Ohio State and Maryland as his top choices. As for official visits, Diggs will head to Auburn on Jan. 13 and then to USC the following weekend.
Diggs is certainly looking for a school where he can contribute early on the offensive side of the ball, and of the Trojans, he said, "I feel like my first year I will play. I won't start, but it would be a learning experience. There are some very talented guys down there. I'd probably start the following year or at least get on the field a lot more."
It will be interesting to follow Diggs' recruitment over the following weeks. There are plenty of people who feel his mother is a fan of him attending Florida, and the Gators could be tough to beat. The fact that he will wait until after signing day is going to make life interesting for USC and head coach Lane Kiffin. If Kiffin is adamant about taking 15 recruits in this class, could he afford to stay with 14 on signing day, in the hopes of landing Diggs a week later? Diggs is good enough where it might make sense, but this is yet another example of the realities this staff is facing with the scholarship limitations.
ESPN HornsNation's William Wilkerson caught up with Diggs at the Army All-American Bowl practices and was able to grab a top-six list from the offensive star of the week to this point. Diggs listed USC, California, Florida, Auburn, Ohio State and Maryland as his top choices. As for official visits, Diggs will head to Auburn on Jan. 13 and then to USC the following weekend.
Diggs is certainly looking for a school where he can contribute early on the offensive side of the ball, and of the Trojans, he said, "I feel like my first year I will play. I won't start, but it would be a learning experience. There are some very talented guys down there. I'd probably start the following year or at least get on the field a lot more."
It will be interesting to follow Diggs' recruitment over the following weeks. There are plenty of people who feel his mother is a fan of him attending Florida, and the Gators could be tough to beat. The fact that he will wait until after signing day is going to make life interesting for USC and head coach Lane Kiffin. If Kiffin is adamant about taking 15 recruits in this class, could he afford to stay with 14 on signing day, in the hopes of landing Diggs a week later? Diggs is good enough where it might make sense, but this is yet another example of the realities this staff is facing with the scholarship limitations.
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The defensive end position has been one of the more confounding spots for the USC coaches as they look to put together the class of 2012. Arik Armstead's decommitment left a huge hole at the spot that simply couldn't be filled by an in-state prospect. As a result, the USC coaches have set their sights on some top prospects from across the country. And in the case of Tyriq McCord (Tampa, Fla./Jefferson), way across the country.
McCord's final top five features four schools relatively close to home -- Georgia, Miami, South Carolina and Florida -- and one outlier -- USC. Although, the Trojans seem to be right in the hunt.
"Everybody knows from my top five or top six (schools) that USC is the best college I ever visited, and I explained that to them," McCord told ESPN HornsNation's William Wilkerson during Army Bowl practices. "I fell in love with the campus when I visited. I didn't really get too in depth with it -- that's why I am going to take an official (visit) there. The broadcast communication program is great. The tradition there -- they haven't changed their weight room at all -- I like that because it's a tradition, it's a legacy. So many people have gone through there and they haven't changed anything."
McCord's final top five features four schools relatively close to home -- Georgia, Miami, South Carolina and Florida -- and one outlier -- USC. Although, the Trojans seem to be right in the hunt.
"Everybody knows from my top five or top six (schools) that USC is the best college I ever visited, and I explained that to them," McCord told ESPN HornsNation's William Wilkerson during Army Bowl practices. "I fell in love with the campus when I visited. I didn't really get too in depth with it -- that's why I am going to take an official (visit) there. The broadcast communication program is great. The tradition there -- they haven't changed their weight room at all -- I like that because it's a tradition, it's a legacy. So many people have gone through there and they haven't changed anything."
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Since receiving a scholarship offer from USC this past spring, linebacker Scott Starr (Norco, Calif./Norco) has been counting down the days until he could officially become a Trojan. Now, as an early enrollee, that time is almost here.
"I get to move in on Friday," Starr said. "It's definitely going to be special. I have my freshman orientation on Friday and then Monday, I'm a student at USC. It's full go."
Starr said he is looking forward to joining his teammates next week, but added that he was able to spend a few moments reflecting on the past few months.
"I get to move in on Friday," Starr said. "It's definitely going to be special. I have my freshman orientation on Friday and then Monday, I'm a student at USC. It's full go."
Starr said he is looking forward to joining his teammates next week, but added that he was able to spend a few moments reflecting on the past few months.
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USC targets set for Under Armour All-America Game
January, 5, 2012
1/05/12
11:14
AM PT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
USC fans might need to wait until Saturday to see a lot of the Trojans recruiting targets in action, but Thursday’s Under Armour All-America Game (4:30 p.m. PT, ESPN/ESPN3) features plenty of players to keep an eye on.
Black team
WR Nelson Agholor (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep), jersey No. 3
Black team
WR Nelson Agholor (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep), jersey No. 3
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USC TE commit will check out UCLA this weekend
January, 4, 2012
1/04/12
2:55
PM PT
By Greg Biggins | ESPN.com
Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick (Rocklin, Calif./Whitney) is still a solid commitment to USC but will take three more official visits starting with one to the Trojans cross-town rival this weekend.
Cope-Fitzpatrick is currently at the Under Armour All-America Game, where he said he’s feeling good despite not playing much football since Thanksgiving.
“I thought I would be tired and it has been a grind out here but I’m enjoying myself,” Cope-Fitzpatrick said. “Each team has two tight ends but one of ours has a bad hammy so I’ve taken all the reps. I’m also on all the special teams so I just hope I don’t run out of gas in the game tomorrow.”
Cope-Fitzpatrick is currently at the Under Armour All-America Game, where he said he’s feeling good despite not playing much football since Thanksgiving.
“I thought I would be tired and it has been a grind out here but I’m enjoying myself,” Cope-Fitzpatrick said. “Each team has two tight ends but one of ours has a bad hammy so I’ve taken all the reps. I’m also on all the special teams so I just hope I don’t run out of gas in the game tomorrow.”
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Armond Armstead likely to transfer
January, 4, 2012
1/04/12
2:40
PM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
It appears more likely than ever that USC defensive tackle Armond Armstead will not be returning to the Trojans next year as a story today in the OC Register indicated that he is “strongly considering transferring” to another school.
Armstead listed Notre Dame, Auburn and Arkansas as three possible destinations. He has a meeting with USC administrators on Monday to review the transfer request.
His reasons for transferring revolve around undisclosed medical issues which have resulted in Armstead not being cleared to play by the USC doctors.
Armstead listed Notre Dame, Auburn and Arkansas as three possible destinations. He has a meeting with USC administrators on Monday to review the transfer request.
His reasons for transferring revolve around undisclosed medical issues which have resulted in Armstead not being cleared to play by the USC doctors.
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LOS ANGELES -- The 2012 USC football schedule has been announced by the Pac-12 Conference.
The Trojans, coming off a 10-2 season that saw them finish first in the Pac-12 South Division and earn a No. 5 ranking in the final regular-season AP poll, will play six home games in the Coliseum in 2012. Overall, USC -- which is expected to enter the season ranked high nationally -- will face eight teams that played in a bowl this year, six teams that won at least seven games in 2011 and four squads that will be guided by new coaches.
In 2012, USC's non-conference opponents will be Hawaii, Syracuse and Notre Dame. The Trojans also will play the same Pac-12 teams that they played this past season (all but Oregon State and Washington State), but those games will be played at the sites opposite of this year’s locations.
USC football tickets are available for purchase on GetTrojanTix.com.
USC will open its 2012 slate with a Sept. 1 home contest against Norm Chow-led Hawaii, just the third time that the Warriors have played the Trojans in the Coliseum. Troy then will make its first visit to the New York City area since 2000 when it meets Syracuse on Sept. 8 in 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
USC then begins Pac-12 play by facing the Bay Area schools, traveling to Stanford on Sept. 15 (the Pac-12's first conference game of 2012) and hosting California on Sept. 22.
After a bye on Sept. 29, USC resumes league play with a Thursday game at Utah on Oct. 4, followed by a trip to Washington on Oct. 13. The Trojans return to the Coliseum for an Oct. 20 game against Colorado before going to Arizona (under new coach Rich Rodriguez) on Oct. 27.
Troy opens the month of November with home games against 3-time defending league champion Oregon on Nov. 3 and Arizona State on Nov. 10. USC then plays its traditional rivals, first facing new coach Jim L. Mora’s UCLA team in the Rose Bowl on Nov. 17 and then hosting Notre Dame on the Saturday (Nov. 24) of Thanksgiving weekend.
Game times and television plans for USC’s 2012 games will be announced at a later date, although all games will be on some form of national television thanks to the Pac-12’s new media rights agreement with ESPN and FOX and the launch of the Pac-12 Networks. The Pac-12 said that dates during the first 2 weeks of non-conference play in 2012 could be adjusted to accommodate television commitments, but the remainder of the schedule is firm.
The Pac-12 Championship Game will be played on Friday, Nov. 30, at the stadium of the division winner with the best overall conference record.
2012 USC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 1 Hawaii
Sept. 8 vs. Syracuse (@ E. Rutherford, N.J.)
Sept. 15 at Stanford
Sept. 22 California
Oct. 4 (Th.) at Utah
Oct. 13 at Washington
Oct. 20 Colorado
Oct. 27 at Arizona
Nov. 3 Oregon
Nov. 10 Arizona State
Nov. 17 at UCLA
Nov. 24 Notre Dame
- courtesy USC sports information
The Trojans, coming off a 10-2 season that saw them finish first in the Pac-12 South Division and earn a No. 5 ranking in the final regular-season AP poll, will play six home games in the Coliseum in 2012. Overall, USC -- which is expected to enter the season ranked high nationally -- will face eight teams that played in a bowl this year, six teams that won at least seven games in 2011 and four squads that will be guided by new coaches.
In 2012, USC's non-conference opponents will be Hawaii, Syracuse and Notre Dame. The Trojans also will play the same Pac-12 teams that they played this past season (all but Oregon State and Washington State), but those games will be played at the sites opposite of this year’s locations.
USC football tickets are available for purchase on GetTrojanTix.com.
USC will open its 2012 slate with a Sept. 1 home contest against Norm Chow-led Hawaii, just the third time that the Warriors have played the Trojans in the Coliseum. Troy then will make its first visit to the New York City area since 2000 when it meets Syracuse on Sept. 8 in 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
USC then begins Pac-12 play by facing the Bay Area schools, traveling to Stanford on Sept. 15 (the Pac-12's first conference game of 2012) and hosting California on Sept. 22.
After a bye on Sept. 29, USC resumes league play with a Thursday game at Utah on Oct. 4, followed by a trip to Washington on Oct. 13. The Trojans return to the Coliseum for an Oct. 20 game against Colorado before going to Arizona (under new coach Rich Rodriguez) on Oct. 27.
Troy opens the month of November with home games against 3-time defending league champion Oregon on Nov. 3 and Arizona State on Nov. 10. USC then plays its traditional rivals, first facing new coach Jim L. Mora’s UCLA team in the Rose Bowl on Nov. 17 and then hosting Notre Dame on the Saturday (Nov. 24) of Thanksgiving weekend.
Game times and television plans for USC’s 2012 games will be announced at a later date, although all games will be on some form of national television thanks to the Pac-12’s new media rights agreement with ESPN and FOX and the launch of the Pac-12 Networks. The Pac-12 said that dates during the first 2 weeks of non-conference play in 2012 could be adjusted to accommodate television commitments, but the remainder of the schedule is firm.
The Pac-12 Championship Game will be played on Friday, Nov. 30, at the stadium of the division winner with the best overall conference record.
2012 USC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 1 Hawaii
Sept. 8 vs. Syracuse (@ E. Rutherford, N.J.)
Sept. 15 at Stanford
Sept. 22 California
Oct. 4 (Th.) at Utah
Oct. 13 at Washington
Oct. 20 Colorado
Oct. 27 at Arizona
Nov. 3 Oregon
Nov. 10 Arizona State
Nov. 17 at UCLA
Nov. 24 Notre Dame
- courtesy USC sports information
ABOUT WE ARE SC
Garry Paskwietz
Garry Paskwietz is the publisher and founder of WeAreSC.com and has covered the Trojans since 1997. Send him an email at garry@wearesc.com.
Blair Angulo
Blair Angulo covers USC Trojans recruiting. He joined ESPNLA.com in 2010 and also interned at the Los Angeles Daily News. Email him at blair.angulo@gmail.com.