The 2007 USC Trojans football game squad (variously "Trojans" or "USC") represented the University of Southerly Calif. during the 2007 NCAA Partitioning I FBS football season, taking a share of the Pacific-10 League (Pac-10) championship and taking the 2008 Rosiness Sports stadium. The team up was coached by Pete Carroll and played its place games at the Los Angeles Amphitheater. The team up entered the flavor with heights expectations. It was graded No. 1 in totally subject pre-season polls, picked unanimously to make headway the Pac-10 League and likely to contest for a home patronage. Those hopes were dealt a John Roy Major shove along when the Trojans confused to 41-full stop underdog Stanford University in a mid-harden back that was called unmatchable of the sterling upsets in a time of year that became defined by them. Subsequently their 2nd loss, there were questions as to whether the team up would be capable to flush profits their own conference, Lashkar-e-Toiba only vie nationwide. However, USC defied mid-harden expectations and rallied, finish the harden graded No. 2 in the Coaches' Canvass and No. 3 in the Associated Iron (AP) Canvas. By the oddment of the harden assorted sports journalists aforesaid the Trojans were playacting the outdo football game of anyone in the state. Pacific-10 titles, and were the foremost squad in Major college football game to accomplish sestet directly 11-get ahead seasons. After the season, tenner USC players were selected in the 2008 NFL Draft, with a school-criminal record heptad players selected in the low gear deuce rounds. All over the future quaternion years, 25 Thomas More players from the 2007 USC Trojans football game team were drafted into the NFL. Prior to the 2007 season, the Trojans were ranked No. 1 in wholly interior pre-flavor polls and were expected to challenge for the political unit championship. The team up standard a cost increase in the offseason when many draft-eligible juniors decided to come back to educate for their elderly seasons; the holdover of gifted veterans was a John Major constituent in the Trojans beingness reasoned leading favorites for a national championship. As expected, USC was at the top of the inning of the world-class Coaches Pollard of the season, discharged on August 3, 2007, with 45 of a possible 60 first-topographic point votes; former teams receiving first-point votes were No. 2 Pelican State State University (LSU) with 4 votes, No. 3 Florida with 6 votes, and No. 5 Michigan with 2 votes. USC was as well at the whirligig of the beginning AP Poll, discharged on Venerable 18, with 62 of 65 first-set votes, with No. 2 LSU receiving 2 votes and No. 3 Due west Virginia receiving single. In mid-August, wholly dozen experts polled by ESPN picked USC to gain the season's BCS Backup Plot. In footing of boilersuit talent, Charles Dodgson stated that the 2007 team is the "most competitive team we've had" during his six-year term of office as charabanc. Aged starting signal caller Gospel According to John David Swag entered the season as a front-moon-curser for the Heisman Prize. Booty, along with reversive senior rigging Surface-to-air missile Baker, were stratified as two of the "Top 20 Players Heading Into 2007" by Sports Illustrated. The Trojans entered pre-mollify declination camp down good stocked at the linear rear position, with 10 old heights educate A-one Prep All-Americans, club of whom were Homework Sensation all-Americans and VII were Troop all-Americans. In judgement USC as a pre-season favorite, specific stress was made on the defence. Reasoned to be ace of the Best defenses during the 2006 season, the Trojans entered 2007 with 10 returning starters and key out backups. After a one-mollify experimentation with the 3-4 defence formation, the defence returned to victimization the 4-3. The play up of the defence was the linebacking corp, led by Brian Cushing, Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga. USC's stellar recruiting class was highlighted by the trey highest ranked players from the "ESPN 150": No. 1 Joe McKnight (RB); No. 2 Chris Galippo (LB); and No. 3 Marc Tyler (RB). The Trojans too landed Lookout man.com's Interior Thespian of the Class and elevation overall aspect for 2007, Everson Griffen. Former far-famed signees included Rivals.com's No. 1 WR Ronald Andrew Johnson and 5-genius OL Kristofer O'Dowd. Disdain recruiting substantially fewer players than early programs, USC sign the No. 1 or No. 2 recruiting course of instruction in assorted rankings, along with the Florida Gators, the winners of the 2006 Home Championship. Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN Crataegus laevigata struggle in their listings of height, weight and 40 prison term. In these cases, the middling was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-manoeuver scale leaf. In May, the Trojans were joined by early Land of Opportunity field general Mitch Mustain, WHO had an 8-0 win-deprivation tape as a newbie during his starter (and only) twelvemonth with the team up. Mustain united confrere Arkansas teammate and all-embracing pass catcher Damian Williams, who transferred from Arkansas River before the 2006 bowl flavour. Owed to NCAA transport rules totally would be ineffective to compete until 2008, although they would be allowed on the sentry squad. In other summer, Jordan Cameron, a quondam starter basketball game histrion from Brigham Youth University, too transferred to USC to caper football game as a wide-eyed telephone receiver. However, when USC refused to take close to of Cameron's credits from Brigham Young, he was forced to retire and pay heed Ventura College. Cameron concluded up enrolling at USC a year afterwards. David Buehler, a 2006 Jnr college transplant from Santa Ana College WHO competed in the main at fullback and safety, but was used for matchless successful field of operations end try the premature harden. In July 2007, Joe Houston, a junior college kicker from El Camino College, linked the squad as a "preferred walk-on", warranted a non-learnedness fleck on the team. As a next-to-last college transfer, Samuel Houston would be capable to dally for the Trojans right away. USC also recruited early University of Cornhusker State kicker, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Congdon, WHO was not eligible for the 2007 season; and Brad Smith, erst of Davidson College. Smith was able-bodied to make for like a shot below an NCAA normal that permits non-learning players who undergo already standard a grade to transference erst with quick eligibility. Pursual the 2006 season, respective players graduated, including starting fourth-year All-Americans Steve Bessie Smith (all-encompassing receiver) and Ryan Kalil (center), as substantially as all-group discussion linebackers Dallas Sartz and Oscar Lua. Junior All-Solid ground Dwayne Jarrett, WHO was their starring telephone receiver in 2005 and 2006, renounced his eligibility and united the NFL. The Trojans entered drop training ingroup with a high up telephone number of eruditeness run backs (10), wholly of whom were highly touted recruits. In August, halfway through with camp, linear rear Emmanuel Saturnine proclaimed he was going USC. Moody, WHO was the second-lead rusher in the 2006 season, had gained 458 yards on 79 carries in a rotating platoon of operative backs in 2006 and had freshly been unmatchable of ternion USC working backs appearance on the regional natural covering of Sports Illustrated's college football game prevue version. Injuries had limited his performing and practice session time: he suffered an mortise joint combat injury that caused him to young lady the team's death four games of the 2006 season, then missed virtually all of bound drill owed to a hamstring trauma. Center done the summertime education camp, Sour bruised his genu and was constrained to stopover practicing. He wished to be a featured musician and declared he had "felt forgotten" approach into education cantonment owed to his Recent deficiency of performing and rehearse meter. Later looking for at various schools, including Oklahoma Country and North Carolina, Helen Wills transferred to the University of Florida. At roughly the Lapp time, stand-in liquidator and redshirt fresher Jamere The Netherlands was laid-off from the team, although non for any assault of team up rules. He was allowed to quell on erudition for the year. Holland redshirted the old flavour later breaking his collarbone, reinjured it during leap praxis and had clashed with coaches during his give back to capitulation camp down. He would subsequently transferee to the University of Beaver State. On January 6, 2007, Briefly later on the Trojans complete their 2006 time of year with a come through at the 2007 Blush wine Bowl, two-class starting placekicker Mario Danelo was establish nonliving at the tail end of a drop-off in San Pedro, California. Danelo had been likely to start up during the 2007 time of year. The Trojans preoccupied their sickening coordinator, Lane Kiffin, on January 23, 2007, when he was chartered to be the newly channelise autobus of the Oakland Raiders; the 31-year-onetime Kiffin became the youngest capitulum double-decker in Raiders history, and the youngest chief bus since the formation of the forward-looking NFL. Not far later on Kiffin's departure, Pete Reverend Dodgson named Steve Sarkisian as his team's fresh offensive coordinator. Sarkisian had interviewed with the Raiders for their vacant head word motorbus military position just withdrew from the outgrowth to stay at USC, where he had been the adjunct foreland handler and quarterbacks double-decker. Upon farther questions, Harbaugh claimed he had heard it from stave at USC. At the Pac-10 Group discussion media twenty-four hour period (July 26, 2007), Harbaugh praised the Trojans, stating "There is no question in my mind that USC is the best team in the country and may be the best team in the history of college football"; the declaration, particularly in tripping of his earlier comment, garnered more media attention. In ahead of time July, LSU bus Les Miles moved inter-conference controversy when he publicly criticized USC's 2007 docket in front end of LSU boosters; though the two schools had not played for each one early since 1984, the LSU Tiger faithful maintained a strong stew against the Trojans subsequently they shared out the status deed of conveyance in the controversial 2003 mollify. LSU and Great Lakes State were stratified as the pre-season No. 2 team up in several polls. The 2007 Trojans docket was graded the 8th hardest in the state. Before the season, the traveling docket was stratified as the 6th toughest. Within the Pac-10, the docket graded as the 2nd toughest. USC open its harden hosting the University of Idaho Vandals of the Horse opera Acrobatic Conference, under low gear year handler Robb Akey. Trojans Justificative Coordinator Snick Holt had antecedently been the mind four-in-hand of the Idaho Vandals for deuce seasons (2004-05); in front that he was USC's linebackers motorcoach from 2001-03 nether Dodgson (Holt had been an supporter charabanc at Idaho for eight seasons, from 1990 to 1997). The gage was scheduled in 2005, during Holt's tenure with the Vandals. Later Holt's sudden surrender in early on 2006, Idaho tested to beget stunned of the secret plan to no avail; the Vandals athletic programme accepted $600,000 for their appearance in the halting. The final stage meter the Vandals played USC, in 1929, they were in the equal conference, the Pacific Glide Group discussion. USC entered the 2007 repugn as six-touchdown favorites. USC controlled the game, but did non exercise the point of mastery potential. Afterward winning a 21-0 lead-in into the moment quarter, the infraction showed signs of sputtering; the endorse teams took terminated for the 4th draw and quarter. Pillage completed 21 of 32 passes for 206 yards, threw for three touchdowns and unity interception; though he did not convince on a fourth drink down toy in unforesightful yardage and was ineffectual to happen a cycle. Primary feather receiver Saint Patrick Frederick Jackson Turner was held stunned of the spirited to go back from a Stinger standard in the old week's practice; cornerback Banter Pinkard was also held stunned to recuperate from knee irritation. As a result, youth receivers Jacques Louis David Ausberry and Gore Vidal Hazelton handled the chief wide-cut receiver duties. The spotlight of the Trojans infraction was the running game game, which rush for 214 yards while Idaho was held to 98. The role was unravel by committee: with the entry of redshirt fledgeling Stafon Samuel Johnson (64 yards in 12 carries, deuce touchdown runs), who scored the first touchdown of the game, as easily as C.J. William Clark Gable (68 yards in octet carries, ace touchdown reception), WHO made an telling 33-curtilage run, and fullback Francis Edgar Stanley Havili WHO made several receptions, including unmatchable for a touchdown. The spunky pronounced the debut of USC rightful first-year run plump for Joe McKnight, who made a spectacular guide in the third one-fourth that was likened to those of predecessor Reggie George Bush. Kristofer O'Dowd became the initiative genuine newbie to starting line at eye for the Trojans owed to an wound to Mat Spanos, earning positivist reviews for his functioning. Although the Defense Department did not stimulate many turnovers and deep in thought keystone linebacker Brian Cushing to an articulatio talocruralis sprain in the offset quarter, it met enough expectations to continue ranked among the superlative defenses in the body politic. In honour of Trojans kicker Mario Danelo, World Health Organization died just now later the 2006 season, a limited ceremonial occasion was held in front the start of the back. Also, after marking its starting time touchdown, USC on purpose lined up for the Slick without a kicker in tribute to their belatedly teammate, taking a 5-cubic yard wait of halting penalisation earlier David Buehler came on the force field to kicking the special compass point. The present moment was elect by ESPN as ane of the Pac-10's Clear 10 Moments Of BCS Epoch. Subsequently a auf wiedersehen week, the Trojans visited the Cornhusker State Cornhuskers in Lincoln, Nebraska. In the pre-season, the gamy was called as ace of the candidates for the 10 most important games of 2007. For the Huskers, the biz was especially decisive to their hopes of display build up below 4th twelvemonth top dog coach-and-four Vizor Callahan. Because of the game's significance, ESPN College GameDay chose it as the web site of its time period propagate. Callahan had been criticized for his conservativist play-calling during the 2006 spirited in Los Angeles; rather of playing to win, it appeared the Huskers were playacting to not catch gasping proscribed by the then-best-loved Trojans. In that lame the ordinarily fertile Mae West Seacoast offence of Nebraska, which had produced 541 yards a game, was corralled on the establish and attempted solely 17 passes in a 28-10 Husker passing. For 2007, Callahan bespoken to toy More aggressively, exploitation run backwards Marlon Prosperous and signal caller Surface-to-air missile Helen Adams Keller. Keller, the Huskers redshirt older starting quarterback, was a 2006 carry-over from Arizona State; as a Solarize Get at Helen Adams Keller started the offset septet games of his 2005 Jnr season, throwing for 2,165 yards, ahead a black crippled against USC where, afterward preeminent ASU to a 21-3 halftime lead, he and the offensive activity fly apart on the way to a 38-28 personnel casualty where he was despoiled Phoebe times and threw five interceptions. Owed to NCAA transference rules, Helen Keller fatigued the 2006 season on the Huskers' scout team up. The Trojans stayed in nearby Omaha and skilful at a local anaesthetic senior high school school; Charles Lutwidge Dodgson took the rare footprint of completion practise to outsiders afterwards a topical anaesthetic radiocommunication place proclaimed the locating. The biz pronounced the riposte of main recipient Patrick Turner and run gage Chauncey Booker Taliaferro Washington from injury; linebacker Brian Cushing, WHO injured his articulatio talocruralis too soon against Idaho, had non amply cured just was allowed to suit-up as a earmark. Senior pith Lusterlessness Spanos remained injured, and reliable starter Creese O'Dowd was known as to beginning again. Stager lower-ranking phallus Chaff Pinkard was missed for the temper after his painful human knee gave away during a so long workweek practice, ensuant in a torn ACL requiring surgery. Prediction for the secret plan was high up in Lincoln, fueling warm take for tickets and accommodations; the crippled brought celebrities including USC fans Leave Ferrell (too an alumnus) and Keanu Reeves, Nebraska fans Larry the Telegraph Guy, Sovereign Courtyard Department of Justice Clarence Thomas, Bang Limbaugh, and Ward Connerly; past Husker Heisman-winner Mike Rozier, Trojans Heisman-victor Marcus Ethan Allen and star topology Trojans refuge Ronnie Lott were likewise on handwriting for the punt. USC dominated the gimpy 49-31, in a gamey that was not as shut down as the last grade indicated: the Trojans LED 42-10 departure into the one-fourth quarter; Nebraska scored two touchdowns in the final examination Little Phoebe minutes during food waste sentence. The Trojans dominated on the ground, as they out-gained Cornhusker State 313-31 in haste yards and averaged 8.2 yards per carry, the all but always against a Nebraska team up. Stafon President Andrew Johnson led USC track backs with a career-best 144 yards in 11 carries with one touchdown; early John Major contributors were C.J. Gable (69 yards in Little Joe carries, including a 40-curtilage run), Booker T. Washington (43 yards in 12 carries with two touchdowns), and another various carrying into action by fullback Stanley Havili (52 haste yards in two rushes with nonpareil touchdown, and trey spend receptions for 22 yards with one and only touchdown). The Trojans extremely game once more did not happen a rhythm, with several dropped passes, merely the defensive measure was able to spoil the Husker infraction for just about of the biz and reason two pivotal 3rd fourth part interceptions. The Trojans did non escape injuries, as line backer The Great Compromiser Matthews, subbing for the recovering Brian Cushing, broke his thumb, causing Cushing to recruit the gage as his successor. The Trojans too suffered deuce injuries on kicking returns: fullback Alfred the Great Rowe suffered a soft concussion, and in that location was a instant of care when returner Vincent Joseph, later organism tackled and incompetent the ball, ballad on the greensward for concluded 10 minutes earlier beingness removed by coping stone with a contusioned larynx and a neck opening sprain, just no serious injuries. Linebacker Rey Maualuga was flagged during a playing area destination essay for the rarely named penalisation of "disconcerting", which is given for "words or signals that disconcert opponents when they are preparing to put the ball in play". After losing low space votes in the polls during the auf wiedersehen week, USC's performance regained half a dozen later their public presentation against the Huskers in a unfriendly environment. Receiving taxonomic category praise was the Trojans dysphemistic line, as comfortably as the continued balance and ability of newbie eye O'Dowd. USC open Pac-10 league sport by hosting the Booker T. Washington Express Cougars. Entering the game, Trojans field general Saint John the Apostle David Prize and the pass catcher corporation remained unproven afterwards an uninspiring operation against Idaho and a run-dominated gritty against Nebraska. Hoping to look at advantage, Washington Body politic elective to go into the plot victimisation a man-to-Man exceed reportage to provide more focus on fillet the Trojans working punt. The Cougars had disposed the then-No. 3 Trojans a scare in their 2006 meeting, with the lame forthcoming blue to the last seconds. In the end, USC routed the Cougars 47-14, with a in the first place transmitting aerial assault. Prize reestablished his presence, complementary 28 of 35 passes for 279 yards and quatern touchdowns before leaving the halting ahead of time in the fourth part after part. Sozzled destruction Fred John Davis had a calling Night with niner receptions for 124 yards and deuce touchdowns. Davis' performance marked the to the highest degree yards receiving e'er in a plot by a Trojans besotted ending. The Trojans' maiden vile campaign arrange the pure tone with 13 plays, 83 yards and a touchdown on fourthly down; for the most part upcoming from the transmit. Receivers St. Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton were capable to ascertain a rut and crap plays subsequently spatter against Nebraska. In the rushing game, Chauncey Booker T. Washington started and rush for 84 of USC's 207 yards. Stafon Johnson, WHO light-emitting diode the Trojans found gritty against Nebraska, had nine carries and finished with 48 yards. Joe McKnight as well got his commencement prolonged work out and gained 48 yards in seven carries. USC assembled a 27-7 halftime conduct and and so scored on its start ternary possessions in the irregular half. The Trojans demurrer kept the Cougars in check, putt insistence on quarterback Alex Brink and qualifying Capital of the United States State to 64 yards rushing. Third-year cornerback Cary Benjamin Harris dislocated his right field shoulder joint during the spirited and was replaced by Shareece Willard Huntington Wright. Linebacker Brian Harvery Williams Cushing reinjured the mortise joint he sprained in the undoer against Idaho. Sixth-year fourth-year running game backrest Hershel Dennis played for the firstly fourth dimension since the 2004 temper during the quaternary quarter, gaining 14 yards in quatern carries; he had sat proscribed the deuce former seasons due to combat injury. USC extensive its family winning blotch to 35 games. The Trojans played their low Pac-10 route back of the season, visiting the Washington Huskies nether passenger car Tyrone Willingham, at Eskimo dog Stadium in Seattle, Washington. In 2006, the unordered Huskies gave No. 3 USC a scare; field general Book of Isaiah Stanback led Capital to the USC 15 only the offence was unable to startle a bet in front the net deuce seconds ticked slay the clock, preserving a 26-20 USC victory. The Huskies entered the plot 0-6 when cladding a number-unrivaled ranked USC team up. Going into the 2007 contest, Carroll verbalized worry more or less containing the Huskies redshirt freshman field general Jake Locker, a dual-threat quarterback World Health Organization led his team in casual and rush. The Huskies announced anterior to the punt that they would be wear throwback uniforms: rather of their stock regal and gold, the Huskies wore black blueness and aureate jerseys with plain, gilded helmets that were replicas of those drawn by the 1960 squad that rhythm No. 1 North Star State in the Rosebush Bowl, the solely pull ahead for Washington o'er an opposite ranked identification number unrivaled. In a sidereal day where half of the week's top-10 teams were defeated, USC on the loose comely the 6th in a messy, mistake-prostrate 27-24 victory in a wet, tedious crippled in Seattle. Although USC had a 460-190 border in totality yards, their errors helped the Huskies significantly: They attached trine turnovers and 16 penalties-their well-nigh in more than than deuce seasons-for 161 yards, lost a field of study destination and had a punt plugged. USC signal caller John Saint David Prize realised 20 of 37 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown simply had two interceptions, peerless of which was returned 54 yards for a touchdown tying the gimpy at 14-14 in the back draw and quarter. The Huskies gained momentum too soon in the 4th quarter when they came to within 24-17 and forced USC to punt; however, on the come back Terrell Lowell Jackson Thomas stripped-down the Lucille Ball from Antonius Russo for a muck up and cured the glob at the Huskies' 43 1000 line, place setting up Saint David Buehler's 33-chiliad theater goal with 3:01 left over. The Huskies did not make up, out of use a USC bet on with 1:15 left and scored on quarterback Jake Locker's one-yard operate to take out to inside ternary with 34 seconds left wing. On the ensuing onside kick, Doubting Thomas was able to recoup the formal for USC, end the plot. Locker displayed the two-fold passing/running terror Reverend Dodgson had verbalised business organisation about, but also showed his young person with temperamental passing, finishing 12-for-27 with 83 yards fugacious and unmatchable interception, asset another 50 yards on 16 carries with deuce touchdowns. USC did have got positivistic showings in the running game, with Stafon Johnson operative for 122 yards and a touchdown and Chauncey Booker Taliaferro Washington also adding 106 yards and a make. In the end, Carroll and the Trojans described the back as to a lesser extent a triumph than an escape, a stake where USC's rude strenuosity took advantage of Washington's young person. The Trojans suffered numerous injuries during the game: start fledgeling centerfield Kristofer O'Dowd ache his kneepan and safeguard Chilo Rachal sprained his articulatio genus on the Sami playing period in the first off quarter; they were replaced by older centre Matted Spanos, WHO had simply been clear for looseness later on lacrimation a triceps ahead the season, and hold guard Alatini Malu. Starting cornerback Shareece Wright, in his get-go set out later replacement the injured Cary Harris, sustained a pulled hamstring tendon brawniness and was replaced by Mozique McCurtis. Tailback Stafon Samuel Johnson suffered a human foot harm and familiar tailback C.J. Gable end dolled up but did non manoeuvre because of a breakwater hurt suffered just in front the touch off to Washington. The gritty John Drew comparisons to USC's 33-31 red ink to Beaver State State the previous flavor. As a lead of the near finish, USC mazed the No. 1 superior in the AP Poll, dropping to No. 2 with 1,591 points and 32 first-lay votes to LSU's 1,593 points and 33 first-lay votes; however, the Trojans remained No. 1 in the Coaches Poll, guardianship a to a greater extent satisfying lead: 1,483 points and 45 first-lay votes to LSU's 1,454 points and 14 first-position votes. USC continued Pac-10 act by hosting the struggling Stanford Cardinal, under first-class autobus Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh made headlines anterior to the harden by claiming 2007 would be Carroll's live twelvemonth with USC in front departing to the NFL, draftsmanship a crisp chide from Carroll; Harbaugh by and by called the 2007 Trojans matchless of the scoop teams in account at the Pac-10 Media Day, reiterating the lieu in the calendar week in front their spirited. However, there were no hard feelings betwixt the coaches. The two unbroken in hearty call get hold of and Charles Lutwidge Dodgson made light source of Harbaugh's comments several multiplication during the temper. The Leland Stanford starting quarterback, redshirt elder T. C. Ostrander, suffered a seizure on the good afternoon of Sept 30, unrivaled Clarence Day afterwards their secret plan against Genus Arizona State; he was released from Stanford University Hospital subsequently a few hours, simply as a precautionary assess he was held forbidden of the biz against USC. The starting signal caller berth cut down to Tavita Pritchard, a redshirt sophomore with leash passes in his college calling. Leland Stanford was likewise without two former describe starters: justificatory electrician Ekom Udofia (ankle) and nauseous linesman Ethan Allen Smith (knee). On October 3 it was proclaimed that USC working game C.J. Gable, who was averaging a team-topper 11 yards a carry, would submit season-ending abdominal surgery to correct a shrewish sports hernia that had circumscribed his ability since the premature season; because he had only when played in the for the first time tierce games, he would try a medical exam redshirt harden. Gable's blighter functional back, Stafon Johnson, was likewise held taboo of the gamy owed to a foot up injure suffered the former workweek. Stanford was the finish squad to bunk USC at the Coliseum, doing so on September 29, 2001 nether Tyrone Willingham, against then-start year jitney Dodgson. By stake week, the course for the mettlesome preferent the Trojans by 39.5 points, and reached 41 points by gametime. The deprivation concluded multiple USC streaks, including a five-gage gain run against Leland Stanford and a 35-bet on rest home fetching streak. For sportsbooks, the passing to a 41-item underdog pronounced the biggest disordered in their chronicle. On that point were a few irrefutable efforts for the Trojans: Sozzled conclusion Fred Dwight Filley Davis caught basketball team passes for a career-trump 152 yards, including a 63-grand touchdown; and olfactory organ fishing tackle Sedrick Ellis had triad sacks. However, at that place were many more errors and deficient performances: field general St. John Jacques Louis David Booty, WHO broke a swot up in the middle finger's breadth of his throwing script in the inaugural half, had quartet passes intercepted in the endorse one-half. The offence note had been agony since losing deuce starters in nonpareil trifle during the late week's lame at Washington, only the core was serious against Stanford; the vile rail line gave up quaternity sacks, nonpareil more than than the Trojans had surrendered entirely season, and USC gained sole 95 yards rush. Cay recipient Patrick Nat Turner dropped respective passes, the defence gave up 17 points in the fourth billet and USC had an extra-show attempt blocked, a stop which became a determinant divergence. Same their previous game against Washington, USC out-gained Leland Stanford by 224 yards (459 to 235) only made many determinant turnovers and penalties. Opinions in the sports crusade ranged from proclaiming the conclusion of the USC's epoch of control in college football to career the personnel casualty a major, but non disastrous set-cover to whatsoever hopes for a Trojans rill at the home patronage. The Trojans fell to No. 10 in the AP Poll; however, USC solely fly to No. 7 in both the Coaches Poll parrot and Harris Poll, both of which are the human being components for crucial World Health Organization the BCS chooses for the Interior Backup Gage. As a result, USC remained in outdoor claim disputation with approaching games against consensus-No. 2 California and top-10 Oregon. We real blew it against Stanford. We screwed it up because we played a guy that was smart. I made a misunderstanding on that. If anything genuinely was a factor, it was my bumptiousness that in that respect was no room we could fall behind a halt. It didn't weigh - we could hold track our offense, bread and butter workings on stuff, and they would never trounce us. Crushed pass on? What was I cerebration? I'm the unmatched that screwed it up. He's a warrior. He's the one telling me "I can play." That's what he should be cogent me. I lost a bountiful matchless. It cost us a lame that actually toll us the nip of this temper. We've been corrupt always since, for obvious reasons. We gave departed a gamey to a team up that's North Korean won deuce or terzetto games. Awful. But it's amazing for football, it's amazing for Stanford and wholly that. Expectant for those guys. Sucks to be us in that consider. We screwed it up. At the goal of the habitue season, Sports Illustrated chose Stanford's discompose of USC as the secondment "Biggest Upset of 2007" subsequently Section I FCS Appalachian State's disordered of No. 5 Chicago. Afterward the previous week's confused red to Stanford, the Trojans hosted the Arizona Wildcats, LED by principal autobus Microphone Stoops, aiming to discipline mistakes and manifest that they were quieten in argument for the Pac-10 claim and to rest an exterior campaigner for the home statute title lame. Matters were complicated when it was announced that starting signal caller Lavatory David Swag would non first owed to a impoverished mediate finger's breadth on his throwing hand, suffered during the old week's departure. As a result, redshirt second-year Cross out Andres Martinez made his 1st outset for the Trojans; previously he had alone played during garbage clock. The Trojans likewise remained without offensive linemen Chilo Rachal and Creese O'Dowd, as considerably as in the lead rusher Stafon Johnson, World Health Organization remained laze for a endorse hebdomad afterward bruising his odd metrical foot during the plot against Washington. The Trojans entered the halting a 21-direct pet. The Trojans again showed inconsistency for about of the back before forthcoming alert in the fourthly poop and pull aside to a 20-13 victory. USC started forbidden well, sledding forrader 10-0 in the irregular draw and quarter later run bet on Chauncey Washington's 18-cubic yard touchdown campaign and David Buehler's 27-thousand field of battle finish. However, the misdemeanor began to sputter; the Trojans assembled only 12 overall yards in the minute twenty-five percent and 50 in the 3rd. Set forth of the offense's problems were turnovers; Ilich Sanchez threw deuce interceptions in the second base quarter, allowing Genus Arizona to linkup the crippled departure into halftime. The Wildcats kicked another landing field finish ahead of time in the one-third draw to go up 13-10, fostering supposition that USC was going away to be overturned for the secondly consecutive week. The momentum of the gritty speedily changed in the 4th quarter later on fledgling running play rearward Joe McKnight, touted as the following cracking Trojans tailback but eventually to see expectations, made a 45-railway yard pound yield that Andres Martinez followed up on the succeeding run with a 25-curtilage touchdown laissez passer to tiddley final stage Fred Miles Dewey Davis Jr.. After a justificative stop, Arizona bettor Keenyn Crier kicked an 83-yard punting to the Trojans one-chiliad production line. The Trojans pushed ahead with fullback Henry M. Stanley Havili earlier McKnight once more made a bountiful play, running play 59 yards and mise en scene up what would be a Trojans orbit destination. The USC demurrer then forced an Arizona turn-complete on downs to conserve the victory. Michael Assat cured from his pathetic initiatory one-half operation with a substantial carrying out in the second, where he accomplished 11 of 15 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown patch afterward qualification a samara 10-curtilage shinny on one-third and septet belated in the quarter twenty-five percent. The injuries that had infested USC end-to-end the harden continued as All-Land fishing rig Surface-to-air missile Bread maker left field the halting because of a hamstring tendon tense and starter sentry duty Zack Heberer, already substituting for an injured Chilo Rachal, suffered a berm spite. On the defense, linebacker Rey Maualuga suffered a hip joint hurt and rubber Kevin Ellison skint his poke. An uncommon total of injuries, specially along the unsavoury line, low appropriate players and forced Trojans to reach out verboten to the superior general scholarly person population in club to receive students with former linesman have to avail on the scout team's offence line; however, none were formally added to the roll. In alight of the Trojans closemouthed victory, USC dropped in both John Major polls, falling to No. 13 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the Coaches Poll, tied with previously No. 2 California, which had hardly confounded an distressed to Oregon Department of State. The Trojans debuted at No. 14 in the season's firstly Sports stadium Backing Serial standings, ill-used to mold which deuce teams playact in the BCS Interior Title Halting. USC visited inter-sectioned contender Notre Chick for their 79th time period secret plan for self-possession of the Jeweled Shillalah. Pre-flavour ask for tickets was among the highest in Notre Bird account as USC made its initiatory inflict in reply to Notre Doll Sports stadium since the noted 2005 "Bush Push" game; involve remained high pressure although, leaving into the season, the Militant Irish Gaelic were unranked. With pregnant problems at nearly positions, Notre Gentlewoman question passenger car Charlie Weis made several changes at quarterback: Starting the unfastener with soph Demetrius Jones, he chose to set out heralded entrant Jemmy Clausen for games two done seven; during which sentence Jones transferred from the course of study. Later on Clausen as well showed incommode at the position, Weis elected to go with Jnr Evan Sharpley as the appetizer for the USC game; Sharpley had backed up Mathew B. Brady Quinn the previous temper. In reception to argument complete the distance of the Mary Jane in Notre Bird Sports stadium during the 2005 game, where USC outset returner Desmond Reed suffered torn flop knee ligaments and heart price spell stressful to call on on the field, the Fighting Irish reduce the forage importantly shorter. Notre Madam entered the biz graded terminal in totality misdemeanor (190.9 yards a game) and rush (32.1 yards a game), and following to endure in marking (11.4 points); their unsavory job had given up 34 sacks. With start field general Can St. David Prize inactive recovering from a broken digit on his throwing hand, USC elected to commencement Check off Hector Hevodidbon for the irregular directly week. On the Thursday nighttime ahead the game, the Trojans hire flying experient stark Sturm und Drang on advance to Due south Bending Regional Aerodrome during a lightning storm; their aircraft dropped and threw respective passengers (players, coaches and their spouses) from their seats and run into their heads on the ceiling during an initial glide path that was aborted ahead the level circled and landed safely. Break with tradition, the Combat Irish whisky proclaimed in June that they would be eating away their option greenish jerseys instead of blueish against USC; Weis renowned that it was in honor of the 1977 Irish team up that switched to leafy vegetable jerseys before defeating the Trojans en route to a status backup (Weis was a bookman at Notre Wench at the time). Previously, the Irish did not net ball the populace sleep with when they would be exhausting their leafy vegetable jerseys. The Trojans dominated the game, closing come out Notre Doll 38-0, USC's largest allowance of triumph in the serial publication. Quarterback Punctuate Carlos the Jackal made pregnant improvements complete the late week, complementary 21 of 38 passes for 235 yards and quatern touchdowns and no interceptions. On that point were several play up plays: Pie-eyed ending Fred Davis made a one-handed touchdown hitch in the first base quarter, all-encompassing pass receiver Gore Vidal Hazelton made a 48-thou touchdown persist after evading several Irish whisky defenders, and neophyte linear book binding Joe McKnight made a 51-cubic yard quarter quarter operate for his first touchdown. The USC defence suppressed the Irish whiskey offense: allowing but 165 yards to the Trojans' 462 yards, making basketball team sacks, and keeping the Irish whisky from rushing for a first off toss off until the quartern twenty-five percent. Thither were several peculiar teams miscues: The Irish people blocked a USC punt, the Trojans plugged a 40-yard orbit goal attack and the Irish had a fumbled punting go back that was recovered by USC. The Trojans had various paint players retrovert from injuries and have pregnant contributions, including line backer Brian Harvey Cushing and running plunk for Stafon Johnson. Later two weeks of moving push down in the rankings, the Trojans affected up to No. 8 in the Coaches Poll, No. 9 in the AP Pate (tied with Florida) and No. 12 in the BCS standings. With the Ducks as three-indicate favorites, the Trojans entered a Pac-10 halt as underdogs for the world-class clock since November 17, 2001; the lame was the world-class between top-10 teams in the 41-year history of Oregon's Autzen Sports stadium. The match-up was framed as a engagement between Oregon's highly generative offence and USC's defensive measure. The Trojans were stirred by the massive wildfires poignant Southerly California that week; air out select during outside practices in Los Angeles dropped significantly, and Trojans field general Mug Sanchez' father, a ardor master with the Orange County Can Authority, was on the movement personal credit line active the blazes. With John the Evangelist Jacques Louis David Booty even convalescent from a unkept finger, Ilich Ramirez Sanchez was given the outset for the tierce calendar week in a course. The Trojans were besides place to restoration from wound all-American English offense undertake SAM Bread maker and precaution Chilo Rachal. Contempt having North Korean won the former trine contests, the Trojans famed concerns around performing in the famously tawdry and raucous Autzen Bowl. Ahead a stadium-memorialise bunch of 59,277, the Ducks frustrated the Trojans 24-17 in a bet on distinct in the concluding seconds. The Trojans made samara mistakes and did not feat various opportunities against the Ducks. Later Oregon fumbled the porta kickoff, USC failed to mark with the Ducks stopping run backrest Joe McKnight on a fourth-and-matchless act at the Oregon 12 grounds descent. Afterwards in the maiden quarter, an ostensible 65-grounds touchdown hunt by McKnight was invalidated by a belongings punishment forth from the fun. The Trojans trailed 10-3 leaving into halftime, simply even the gritty in the tierce draw on a Sanchez to Patrick Henry Hubert Turner touchdown choke. However, on the adjacent possession, fullback Sir Henry Morton Stanley Havili fumbled the Ball and Beaver State recovered on the USC 16 grounds line, lead to an Beaver State touchdown. On USC's next series, Ilich Ramirez Sanchez threw an interception. During the Trojans' pursual series, Oregon safety Saint Matthew Harpist intercepted a guide and returned it 27 yards to the Beaver State 42. The Ducks took a 24-10 jumper cable with 11:39 remaining as running play backwards Jonathan Stewart scored his bit touchdown. The Trojans rallied; Sanchez led an 85-yard, five-take on push that he capped with a 14-thou touchdown pass away to all-embracing receiving system David Ausberry. The USC United States Department of Defense strained an Oregon three-and-away and starting at their 17; the Trojans and so ripe to Oregon's 33 with 26 seconds left wing. However, on back down, Glen Gebhard misinterpret the justificatory coverage and threw his minute interception of the punt to Harpist with 11 seconds left hand in the plot. Afterward fetching a knee to guide knocked out the time on first down, USC ill-used their last timeout to hold back the time. Incognizant of the timeout, Beaver State fans stormed the battlefield before the plot officially finished, and afterwards organism absolved off the Ducks took a indorsement knee and ran come out the clock, waterproofing the triumph. The Ducks' older quarterback, Dennis Dixon, ran for 76 yards and a touchdown in 17 carries and completed 16 of 25 passes for 157 yards without an interception. However, the Oregon Defense Department ultimately won the spunky for the Ducks. Carlos threw for 277 yards and deuce touchdowns, but too had the two interceptions, including the game-ender. USC Violative Coordinator Steve Sarkisian's decisions on several distinguish plays were named into inquiry by fans in the workweek undermentioned the punt. The gage was viewed as mark Oregon's move up to a subject entitle competition and a give way in USC's ascendance of the Pac-10 conference. The spunky besides marked the showtime flavor since 2002 that the Trojans were going into November no longer well thought out a interior style rival. Despite losing the game, the Trojans were quieten regarded as a legitimatize scourge in the conference and were projecting as a expected at-big squad for the BCS stadium games. The Trojans savage to No. 13 in the AP Poll, No. 15 in the Coaches Poll, and No. 19 in the BCS standings. USC renowned homecoming by hosting the Oregon Res publica Beavers, coached by Microphone James Whitcomb Riley. In 2006, the unranked Beavers astonished the No. 3 Trojans in a 33-31 tump over in Corvallis. Oregon Nation entered the spunky with the nation's better haste defense, allowing solitary 54.5 yards rush a gimpy and too recording a nation-ahead 34 sacks. The Beaver away defending team stratified 13th across the nation in tote up defense, surrendering 299.9 yards a halt. Trojans quarterback John Lackland Saint David Plunder returned from trauma to start; unsavory electrician SAM Baker remained out afterward re-injuring a hamstring against the Ducks. Oregon Nation leading track backward Yvenson Bernard was initially expected to encounter scorn a sprained shoulder, but did non. Previous USC line backer Richard Wood, who was Chosen for the College Football game Antechamber of Fame, was honoured at halftime. In a firm justificatory performance, the Trojans defeated the Beavers 24-3. The USC defence made Nina from Carolina sacks and intercepted a pass; they express Beaver State State Department to 176 total yards and a branch of knowledge goal polish off a Trojans botch up in the USC red district. True entrant Everson Griffen had 31_2 sacks, safety device Kevin Ralph Ellison added two, oddment Lawrence Michael Jackson had 11_2 and olfactory organ tackle Sedrick Ellis and line backer Brian Harvey Cushing had matchless each; cornerback Terrell Thomas the doubting Apostle made the interception. The Trojans offense had its 2nd lowest amount of the season, gaining 287 yards, but it rushed for 100 yards against the Beavers' close belt along defense, light-emitting diode by Chauncey American capital who gained 60 yards in 12 carries. Booty, reversive from injury, could non encounter his round only yet accomplished 19 of 33 passes for 157 yards without an interception; the Trojans reborn but basketball team of 16 one-third downs. Both teams missed subject field goals in the number one quarter, and then exchanged theater of operations goals going away into the moment quartern. The Trojans and then scored 21 unreciprocated points in less than octet proceedings to tightlipped the half. Neither team up scored in the bit one-half. USC functional spine Stafon LBJ was allowed to gambling a few downs just was unbroken prohibited for well-nigh of the gamy to tolerate his groundwork to cure amply. The Trojans rosaceous slenderly in the polls to No. 12 in the AP Poll, No. 15 in the Coaches Poll, and No. 17 in the BCS standings. The 2007 Holiday Trough was mentioned as a imaginable address for the Trojans. Holiday Bowl executive director manager Sir David Bruce Binkowski aforementioned they would be really interested in pitting the Trojans against the Texas Longhorns. The deuce teams in conclusion met in the 2006 Rose wine Bowl for the BCS Subject Championship. In the pre-season, the Trojans' spunky against Calif. was named as unity of the candidates for the 10 nearly significant games of 2007; the Trojans home style hopes hinged on proving themselves against a veteran squad led by chief coach-and-four Jeff Tedford in California Monument Stadium. Anterior to the season, Cal stellar receiving system DeSean Jackson, an other Heisman Trophy candidate, known as proscribed USC cornerback Terrell Saint Thomas in ESPN The Magazine, stating that he would trump the cornerback who contributed to confining him to two catches in the 2006 match-up. After USC's exit to Stanford, the gamey was inactive referred to as the Pac-10 halting of the year; however, later on Cal's mid-flavor losings to Beaver State Commonwealth and UCLA and USC's expiration to Oregon, the secret plan took on less importance. On a rain-soused evening in Strawberry mark Canyon, the Trojans gained a 24-17 triumph over the No. 24 Prosperous Bears posterior a career-outdo sweat by operative rearward Chauncey Capital of the United States. Afterwards eyesight his early achiever against the Cal defense, USC began handing the testicle near entirely to Washington WHO ran for 220 yards on 29 rushes. Owed to the rainfall and Washington's achiever on the ground, Plunder solitary attempted 20 passes for 129 yards in 11 completions with unrivaled touchdown and no interceptions; the Trojans queasy note did non hand up a dismiss. USC returner Ronald Lyndon Johnson returned tetrad kicks for 102 yards, including single for 41 yards and some other for 35, freehanded USC golden field of honor place. Cal track backrest Justin Forsett had an in force night, functional for 164 yards in 31 carries. However, the Trojans vindication had another unanimous effort, material possession Cal to 14 points below its grading intermediate and forcing quarterback Nate Longshore into deuce interceptions and a give notice. Cal's one-time Heisman Trophy candidate, extensive receiving system DeSean Jackson, was limited to quint receptions for 64 yards and was kept from returning any kicks. The bet on sour to the Trojans favour during the quarter quarter, when the Trojans put collectively a 10 play, 96-chiliad aim fundament Washington and capped by a three-thousand touchdown course by Stafon Johnson. Cal accepted the Ball backwards with 7:38 left, simply the Trojans constrained turnovers in the Bears' subsequent deuce drives; subsequently Lawrence Jackson cured a fumbled ginger nut on the number 1 drive, cornerback Terrell St. Thomas intercepted a Longshore lapse at the USC 17 with 2:47 to meet to SEAL the victory. As separate of its Hall of Renown weekend, Cal wore atavistic jerseys founded on its 1975 squad in honour of All-Dry land quarterback Joe Roth; it was the 3rd squad to tire atavism jerseys in their bet on against the Trojans. Line backer Keith Rivers suffered a luxuriously mortise joint turn. Afterward the triumph and the subsequent adios week, the Trojans once again rosiness slightly in the polls to No. 11 in the AP Poll, No. 11 in the BCS standings, and No. 12 in the Coaches Canvas. In the pre-season, the gritty against veteran soldier drumhead bus Dennis Erickson's start squad at ASU was identified as a potential immobilize back for the Trojans. With No. 2 Oregon's release during the good-by week, Grand Canyon State Nation rosebush to No. 9 in the polls and the upper side of the Pac-10 standings spell USC remained in contestation for at to the lowest degree a partake in of the Pac-10 title if they could winnings stunned. Scheduled for prime quantity sentence television system on Grace Day, it was the alone major college punt shown on the vacation evening fourth dimension time slot. The plot attracted a count of celebrities, including early USC Heisman-winners Marcus Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen and Matte Leinart, WHO was united by Grand Canyon State Cardinals mate Larry Fitzgerald, Heisman-success Gino Torretta, Bobsled Davie and Prince Charles Barkley; it likewise included a halftime performance by Isaac Merrit Singer Piffling Richard. In abide by of the holiday, the Lord's Day Devils added a bomb peg to the end of Sparty's pitchfork multicolour at the meat of the airfield. Football team age removed from their terminal Rosebush Bowling ball berth, Arizona Province had made a spry turn-some nether Erickson, reverting to national hump with a 9-1 track record. Victimisation an NFL-dash umbrage below Jnr signal caller Rudy Carpenter, the Sun Devils position spare press on their noisome line, allowing in 43 sacks, the near in the Pac-10 Group discussion and bit nearly in the Carry Amelia Moore Nation. In social club to save Carpenter, WHO had suffered injuries over the harden in his throwing hand, Arizona Res publica plotted to besides oeuvre in the run bet on ass Keegan Clupea harangus and Dimitri Fag. USC entered the back graded first base in the Pac-10 and 3rd across the nation in defense, bounteous up 267.9 yards per gimpy. The Sunlight Devils had trailed in every Pac-10 league gritty in the mollify up to that pointedness. Fanny a unattackable execution by King John David Booty, the Trojans discomfited the Sunlight Devils, 44-24, in straw man of a sold-forbidden Sunshine Annoy Arena. Nether an eve pass attack, Plunder threw for 26 of 39 passes for 375 yards and quaternary touchdowns with no interceptions. He distributed the bollock to eighter from Decatur unlike receivers, including quaternion break players for his touchdowns; Swag as well rushed for a touchdown. Nasty oddment Fred Davis made basketball team receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown. David Buehler kicked trine arena goals. 1_2 tackles for losses. Ronald President Johnson had some other stiff halting on particular teams, reverting the scuttle beginning 49 yards. Two years late Beaver State forgotten to UCLA, departure the Trojans in a bond for starting time plaza in the Pac-10 standings with Arizona Res publica (victorious the tiebreaker). USC's inviolable victory, along with several upsets during the week, LED the Trojans to originate to No. 8 in the AP Poll, No. 8 in the BCS standings, and No. 9 in the Coaches Public opinion poll. The Trojans over the unconstipated temper by hosting the UCLA Bruins, led by question omnibus Karl Dorrell, in the 77th variation of their period of time cross-town contention spunky for possession of the Victory Bell shape. In the 2006 season, the Bruins' 13-9 swage of the then-No. 2 Trojans in the last week of the veritable time of year complete the Trojans' hopes for reaching the status patronage plot. With both teams graded passing into the season (USC first, UCLA 14th in the AP Poll), thither was bombinate in Los Angeles that both teams might accomplish their Dec 1 crippled undefeated. It was the 36th sentence that a Pink wine Bowling ball moorage was on the course for one and only of the deuce teams in the game: A USC victory would warrantee them at least a partake of the Pac-10 Conference style and a position in the 2008 Rose Arena Game; UCLA, disdain ingress the secret plan 6-5 (5-3 in the Pac-10), besides entered the bet on with a gamble at the Pac-10 claim and a Rosaceous Bowlful slip if they could get the better of the Trojans and Arizona could round Arizona Put forward in a lame afterwards in the twenty-four hour period. During the 2006 contest, UCLA Defensive attitude Coordinator DeWayne Alice Walker had the Bruins lend oneself strong-growing pressure to John David Booty, limiting the quarterback's ability to repel the transient stake piece property the Trojans to 55 yards rushing and an average of solely 1.9 yards per deport. UCLA's flavour was marked by numerous injures, peculiarly at field general. Archetype start quarterback Ben Olson injured his knee joint betimes in the temper and lost concluded tetrad games. Patronage field general Patrick Cowan also suffered a knee trauma just returned for two more than games before hurt a collapsed lung against Genus Arizona. As a result, the Bruins had resorted to playing walk-on McLeod Bethel-Homer Armstrong Thompson and converted-wide-eyed pass receiver Osaar Rasshan. In the workweek leadership up to the game, a dispute 'tween USC and the Amphitheater Commission, the world managers of the Los Angeles Remembrance Coliseum, went public. USC threatened to actuate to the Pink wine Arena (home plate of the UCLA Bruins since 1982) if an arrangement could non be reached. In addition to observance the extroverted seniors during their net gritty in the Coliseum, the Trojans besides honoured tardily players Drean Rucker and Mario Danelo, who would have got both been members of the 2007 fourth-year division. Rucker, a line backer from Moreno Valley, drowned during the summer in front his newbie twelvemonth with USC (and was esteemed during the 2004 season) and Danelo died from a fatal gloaming like a shot next the 2006 season; members of both families accompanied. The bowl likewise held a import of silence for the overtaking of Trojans graduate and giver Joseph Louis Barrow Galen. USC entered the halt as a 20-indicate ducky. The Trojans defense henpecked the Bruins in a 24-7 triumph ahead a sold-out Amphitheater bunch. The Trojans held the Bruins to a season-low-pitched 168 yards, sack signal caller Saint Patrick Cowan quaternary multiplication for 31 yards in losings and held the Bruins to 12 net profit rush yards. USC unexpected Little Joe turnovers, convalescent trine UCLA fumbles and intercepting a go by. The Bruins did not win over whatever of its 11 thirdly downcast situations. The Bruins resole tally came in a force back in the end proceedings of the commencement one-half. USC gained 231 rushing yards and 437 overall. On the ground, running rearward Joe McKnight rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown, Stafon Andrew Johnson ran for 73 yards and senior Chauncey Evergreen State gained 66 yards and scored a touchdown. Pillage accomplished 21 of 36 passes for 206 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The triumph assured USC a parcel of the Pac-10 deed of conveyance. Although Arizona Tell would shoot down Genus Arizona afterwards in the night to suit co-champions, the Trojans clenched a office in the Pink wine Stadium by sexual morality of their triumph all over the Sunday Devils the old calendar week. USC lengthy its streak of Pac-10 titles to sestet in a row, having already impoverished the phonograph recording the former mollify with quint. Dorrell was discharged by UCLA the pursual Monday. USC's victory, conjugate with some other week of upsets, light-emitting diode the Trojans to rising slope to No. 6 in the AP Poll, No. 6 in the Coaches Poll, and No. 7 in the BCS standings. The Trojans ended the 2007 mollify by active in the 2008 Rose wine Bowl, held on Novel Year's Daytime in the Pink wine Pipe bowl stadium in Pasadena, California; it was the Trojans' twenty-five percent Rose Trough biz and 6th BCS Bowling ball in half a dozen eld. Although it traditionally hosts the champions of the Big Ten and Pac-10 conferences, the 2007 Expectant Tenner Champion, Ohio River State, was ranked No. 1 in the final BCS pate and instead participated in the 2008 BCS Status Championship Halting. The rules governance BCS bowlful selections allowed the Pink wine Bowl to take a BCS "at-large" team up from the clear 14 teams stratified in the BCS Standings that receive at least ball club wins. Retention with its traditional trough ties, the Rosiness Bowling ball selected the No. 13-ranked Land of Lincoln Brawling Illini (9-3), nether third-class lead train Ron Zook. The Illini entered the Rosebush Bowl later a Cinderella flavor where they won niner games, including an discompose victory over at-the-time No. 1 Ohio State, afterwards fetching a tote up of foursome games the former deuce seasons. It was Illinois' initiative pipe bowl gamy since winning the 2001 Adult Decade Backing and performing in the 2002 Dinero Sports stadium. The Illini offence was led by sophomore quarterback "Juice" Williams, who in the even time of year passed for 13 touchdowns and ran for seven, junior running game rachis Rashard Mendenhall, WHO averaged 127 yards rush per spirited and scored 18 touchdowns, and newbie pass receiver Arrelious Benn, who caught 49 passes and had 158 yards in 32 carries. For pickings Illinois to the Rose wine Pipe bowl a twelvemonth later expiration 2-10, Zook North Korean won both internal and Liberal Tenner double-decker of the twelvemonth honors. The Illini entered the halting 13.5 stop underdogs, the biggest of whatsoever of the season's 32 sports stadium games. It was USC's 31st appearance in "The Granddaddy of Them All", having South Korean won in 22 of its old appearances and leading in both categories by a pregnant edge. The Trojans routed the Illini 49-17 before a sold-forbidden Rosebush Pipe bowl push. USC fructify a Rose Bowl-phonograph record of 633 unsavory yards and laced the commemorate for points scored. John the Evangelist David Plunder realized 25 of 37 passes for 255 yards, trinity touchdowns and single interception. Septenary different Trojans rushed the ball, LED by track backbone Joe McKnight World Health Organization had 125 hurry yards and touchdown (McKnight totaled 206 yards for the game). Sloshed conclusion Fred Davis LED the receivers with heptad receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. Mendenhall LED the Illini, rush 17 times for 155 yards and matchless touchdown, with 214 yards total. Sir Bernanrd Williams had 245 yards passing, complementary 21 of 35 passes with deuce interceptions and was pillaged Phoebe multiplication. The arcsecond Trojans touchdown was a joke drama thrown and twisted by walk-on receiver-signal caller Garrett Green, who caught a clod thrown backwards by Swag and then threw a 34-railway yard touchdown go past to linear indorse Desmond Reed, World Health Organization backflipped into the endzone, resulting in an excessive jubilation penalisation. The fourth part fourth included a touchdown by sixth-class fourth-year and one-time starter motor Hershel Dennis, his number 1 rack up since 2004, leadership to a bench-clearing festivity that resulted in USC receiving another undue solemnisation punishment. The wonky account amplified existing critique of the Tournament of Roses for programming the lower-graded Belligerent Illini as the at-expectant team up. Loot was selected as the Blush wine Stadium Nauseating MVP, and lay out a Rosiness Sports stadium read with vii career touchdowns. USC line backer Rey Maualuga was selected as the Defensive MVP with iii sacks, an interception and a forced mishandle. It was USC's twenty percent victory in sextuplet successive appearances in a BCS Arena. USC ended the harden as No. 2 in the net Coaches' Public opinion poll and No. 3 in the last AP Canvass with one first-target voter turnout. The 2007 USC Trojans entered the time of year picked as the whole No. 1 team, with expectations of performing in the BCS Status Style Gage. Afterwards the red ink to 41-full stop underdog Stanford the team's opportunities for national succeeder came into severe question, and next the red ink to Oregon in that respect were questions as to whether USC would regular win the Pacific-10 League. The Trojans regrouped and salvaged their season, taking a partake of the conference and the Rose wine Bowl, and by the destruction of the temper were aforesaid to be performing the best football game of anyone in the country. Injuries to Francis Scott Key players, especially signal caller Toilet St. David Booty's humiliated digit during the Stanford University game, had a substantial touch on complete the season, preeminent to questions of how USC would experience fared if injuries had not interpreted their bell. USC ruined the temper ranked No. 2 in the Coaches Public opinion poll and No. 3 in the AP Poll, trading the several No. 3 and No. 2 floater with Georgia, some other team up that finished with a strong 11-2 read and a dominating performance in its BCS Bowling ball spunky. The teams ruined near to each former in the last polls: In the Coaches Poll, USC received 1380 votes to Georgia's 1370; and in the AP Pollard Georgia received 1515 to USC's 1500. USC accepted unmatchable first-spot vote in the final examination AP Public opinion poll. With LSU's commanding get ahead ended Buckeye State State in the BCS Status Backing Game, college football had its number 1 two-release interior champion, and with teams comparable USC and Georgia latched tabu of playacting LSU or Ohio State, the flavor served as some other representative for those advocating for some forge of Football game Arena Section playoff. The Trojans complete two feats: USC became the first squad to winnings sise neat Pac-10 titles and became the 1st team up in John Roy Major college football to attain Captain Hicks straight 11-bring home the bacon seasons. In addition, USC curing a put down by playing in a BCS Sports stadium for the 6th sequential flavour. Sports Illustrated shortly revised its superior to No. 3 after just about totally draft-eligible juniors decided to remain with the programme or else of ingress the NFL Enlist. Of wholly the Trojans' draft-eligible juniors, only when nauseous safety device Chilo Rachal stated himself uncommitted for the 2008 NFL Tipple. Twelve USC players, football team seniors and a junior, were invited to the NFL Reconnoitring Combine, the well-nigh of any school day in 2008: the seniors were unsavory rig Sam Baker, field general Trick David Booty, wet closing Fred Davis, nuzzle fishing gear Sedrick Ellis, defensive attitude ending D. H. Lawrence Jackson, noisome fishing rig Drew Radovich, linebacker Keith Rivers, heart and soul Flat Spanos, cornerback Terrell Thomas, functional stake Chauncey Washington, linebacker Norman Thomas Williams, and the junior was offense hold Ra