пятница, 28 сентября 2012 г.

USC VS. UCLA: A CLOSER LOOK USC NOTEBOOK: HOW'S A TRIP TO LAS VEGAS SOUND NOW?(Sports) - Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)

Byline: - Scott Wolf

For the first time since 1998, USC will be going bowling.

The Trojans (6-5, 5-3) are headed to the Las Vegas Bowl on Christmas Day against the Western Athletic Conference's No. 2 team. Among the possible opponents are Colorado State, Utah, New Mexico and Air Force.

``These last couple seasons we didn't go anywhere, so definitely it's huge,'' USC defensive lineman Ryan Nielsen said. ``It's so big because when we were 1-4, the guys didn't get down and didn't quit.''

--Band director: After the game, USC coach Pete Carroll got a chance to lead the Trojan band to the strains of ``Conquest.''

Asked how it felt, he said, Carroll said, ``What went through my mind? This doesn't happen in the NFL.''

--Rivalry games: In the annual ``Blood Bowl'' between the student newspapers, the Daily Trojan defeated the Daily Bruin 24-12. In the team managers' game, USC defeated UCLA 9-7.

--Recruit watch: Among the recruits at the game were Long Beach Poly's offensive lineman Winston Justice, defensive lineman Manuel Wright and safety Darnell Bing. Also at the game was St. Bonaventure of Ventura tailback Lorenzo Booker.

``I know our coaches were talking after the game and saying, `Can we go recruit tonight?' '' Carroll said.

--Go for it: Carroll signaled that he wanted to go for a fourth-and-1 situation at UCLA's 3-yard line in the second quarter, because a ball boy held his fingers inches apart. But the offensive coaches quickly protested and advised kicking a field goal because the Trojans were actually more than a yard from a first down.

--No injuries: In what was a first for the Trojans this season, USC did not report any injuries.

Free safety DeShaun Hill left the game with cramps, and it forced Carroll to improvise. He switched strong safety Troy Polamalu to free safety and use freshman Jason Leach at strong safety.

--Game ball 2: Cornerback Antuan Simmons, who had a 36-yard interception, was awarded the game ball. Simmons also received the game ball last season, when he was sidelined for a stomach tumor operation.

--Post-game melee: At least three fans were taken off by stretcher, according to witnesses, after being struck by police officers on the field after the game. Some fans were allowed to storm the field, but others were pushed back and had confrontations with police.

--Big win: This is USC's biggest margin of victory in the series since 1979, when the Trojans won, 49-14.

--Few points: USC allowed 197 points this season, its fewest during a regular season since the 1995 team allowed 180.

CAPTION(S):

photo, 5 boxes

Photo:

Coach Pete Carroll is taken aback by a Gatorade shower after USC had victory locked up.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) SCORING SUMMARY

(2) PLAYERS OF THE GAME

(3) GOAT OF THE GAME

(4) STATE OF THE GAME

(5) USC LOG