College Football 2022: The Utah Utes maroon the USC Trojans in the Pac-12 Championship Game

Since I started watching football more regularly in the last few years, the amount of college football was still considerably less than the hours of NFL.  Well, I wasn’t in the mood for any DVDs or TCM, so I decided to watch the Pac-12 Championship Game between the Utah Utes and the USC Trojans, or should I say, the Ketchup and Napkins and the BBQ Sauce and Mustard.  The first half of the game featured the Trojans’ demonstrating their offensive razzle-dazzle, and then the third quarter happened.  Whereas the first and second quarters had the Trojans in the lead, by the top of the fourth quarter, the Utes took the lead with 27 to 17. 

The Trojans were not about to let last years’s Pac-12 winner out-score them, so they answered with a touchdown to shrink the score gap to 27 to 24.  The Utes were not amused, retorting with another TD and then an interception upon the Trojan’s next possession.  Utes running back Ja’Quinden Jackson got the ball into the end zone, giving his team an even greater lead in the middle of the fourth quarter, 40 to 24 (the extra point was no good).  With under two minutes left in the game, the Utes found their way to another TD, courtesy of running back Micah Bernard.  47 to 24.  Final score. 

Get game summary, stats, and play-by-play here.

As the third quarter gave way to the fourth, and USC did what it could to reclaim some offensive chops, I noticed that the look on a player’s face when he makes an interception, a touchdown (to make or break a tie), a sack or catches a pass way down the field conveys focused energy that might otherwise run amok or fester without a socially sanctioned outlet.  Yes, concussions are real and have life-long repercussions that do not manifest immediately, but where else can these young men throw all of their mental and physical momentum and frustration into accomplishing a task that they believe they can achieve (and often do)? 

Unsportsman-like conduct occurs from time to time, reminding us spectators that even within the parameters of permissible violence within the game, there are unacceptable ways of expressing disdain for one’s own mistake or for a referee’s ruling on the field regarding a complete or incomplete pass or if the player had control of the ball as he broke the plane.  These specific players who struggle to comprehend the idea that there are right and wrong ways to react to an athletic or attitude “oops” just might partake in more harmful ways of dealing with failure without a team sport that requires an amount of brusqueness-under-grace to be successful. 

It’s beyond happiness or satisfaction in the shoulders and faces of these players when they do something to help their team; it’s like a pressure valve releasing a week or a season’s worth of pent-up energy.  It has to go somewhere; it might as well go into the end zone or sacking the other team’s quarterback.

 

Rose Bowl 2009: USC maxes out Penn State

The ninety-fifth Rose Bowl game. Penn State Nittany Lions and USC Trojans. Would the Big 10 or Pac 10 get the last fragrant laugh? Broadcast on ABC, the Trojans marching band performed the national anthem before the game proper began. The first quarter ticked halfway through when USC quarterback Mark Sanchez fumbled the ball (never even threw it out of his hands) and Penn State recovered. Or did they? An offside penalty on Penn State gave the ball back to USC. A few plays later, Sanchez threw twenty-seven yards to wide receiver Damian Williams for a touchdown. USC 7 and Penn State 0. That catch came out of nowhere…in that one second USC’s QB was prepped to launch the ball and the next nanosecond, TD. With fewer than ten seconds left in the quarter, Penn Statequarterback Daryll Clark got himself into the end zone for a TD. Both teams 7.

The second quarter spritzed off with a Trojans TD, shoved in by the quarterback. USC 14 and Penn State 7. A Trojans field goal put USC higher up with 17 to 7 halfway through the quarter. USC’s lead shot up to 24 to 7 (thanks to wide receiver Ronald Johnson’s TD). Penn State’s running back Stephfon Green had a good chance of making great strides down field on his team’s next possession, but he fumbled and USC recovered. Trojans running back CJ Gable increased his team’s numbers by a TD in the bottom of the quarter. USC 31 and Penn State 7.

The third quarter spelled out CJ Gable fumbling the ball and Penn State cornerback Tony Davis getting his hands on it. No scoring resulted from that turnover. In the final forty or so seconds of the third quarter, Penn State wide receiver Jordan Norwood had caught Daryll Clark’s pass and then was immediately slammed by USC safety Taylor Mays. Norwood had to be helped off the field, noticeably discombobulated–his eyes looked like they were pinging all over place. Mays got a helmet-to-helmet penalty. Slow-motion instant replay revealed that Norwood’s head was essentially squashed by two Trojans torsos in the tackle.

The fourth quarter harked the herald with a TD for the Nittany Lions, courtesy of wide receiver Derrick Williams. Trojans wide receiver Ronald Johnson made his second TD of the day with a forty-five yard catch on his team’s next possession. USC 38 and Penn State 14. Halfway through the fourth quarter, Penn State’s numbers rose by three with a field goal, and then by seven in the bottom of the quarter (thanks to Jordan Norwood). USC 38 and Penn State 24. Final score. The Trojans have won the Rose noodle Bowl for the third time in a row.

Observations & Miscellania:

1. Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit were the commentators.

2. Save for Trojans quarterback Mark Sanchez, the USC football players don’t get much news reading done. Who is Joe Biden, TMZ asked recently. Question: How many players in total were asked, “Who is Joe Biden?” and of those players, how many got it right and weren’t included in the final sequence that hit the air?

3. Steve Shaw, of the SEC, was the referee. The Grand Marshal of the 2009 Tournament of the Roses was Cloris Leachman. She threw the coin. USC won the toss and deferred to second half. Cloris Leachman looks like Glenn Close a wee bit.

4. The Trojans’ uniforms made me think of barbecue sauce, mustard, and sloppy joes.

5. As neither a Trojans nor Nittany Lion fan, viewing consisted of soaking up game-play athleticism. Point. Counter-point. Check. Checkmate.

6. Actor John C. McGinley was in attendance. He had a full head of hair and a green shirt.

7. The Trojans marching band hit the field during halftime.

8. Did Brent Musburger say in the bottom of the fourth quarter that the QB plays a more important role in college football than in pro football?

Get game summary, stats, and play-by-play here.

Big 12 Championship 2008: Oklahoma Sooners milkshaked and whipped creamed the Missouri Tigers

USC skewered UCLA 28 to 7 to nab the Pac-10 magic wand.

Florida took a mouthful out of Alabama 24 to 20 for the SEC snazzy sneakers.

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The University of Missouri Tigers and the University of Oklahoma Sooners dropped in on Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri to try for the Pac-10 Championship title. The first quarter spelled a twenty-yard field goal for the Sooners, made by kicker Jimmy Stevens, which was followed by the Sooners Schooner taking to the field (and then cut to a commercial). Tigers kicker Jeff Wolfert tried for a forty-eight yard field goal but he didn’t deliver the goods. Oklahoma 3 and Missouri 0. The Sooners launched their first touchdown in the bottom of the first quarter, courtesy of running back Chris Brown. Oklahoma 10 and Missouri 0.

The second quarter began with Tigers wide receiver Jeremy Maclin making a touchdown. Oklahoma 10 and Missouri 7. The Sooners increased their lead with a TD catch by wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias. He did it again shortly thereafter. Oklahoma 24 and Missouri 7. The Sooners made their fourth TD with a run by running back Mossis Madu in the bottom of the quarter. Despite some mistakes, Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford got his team in the lead with 31 points to Oklahoma’s 7. The Tigers quarterback Chase Daniel threw an interception in the bottom of the quarter. Sooners defensive back Brian Jackson got ahold of the ball. Chris Brown made his way into the end zone a couple of plays later. Oklahoma 38 and Missouri 7.

The third quarter chirped off with a Sooners field goal. Oklahoma 41 and Missouri 7. Just past the halfway point of the third quarter, one of the Sooners defensive players rammed into Tigers Jeremy Maclin. In a slow-motion instant replay, Maclin’s head could be seen bobbling like one of those dashboard accessories. The Tigers pulled themselves up from single digit numbers with a touchdown by wide receiver Tommy Saunders. Oklahoma 41 and Missouri 14.

The fourth quarter started with a TD by Mossis Madu. Oklahoma 48 and Missouri 14. Jeremy Maclin made an end zone catch but when he came down onto the turf, he lost “control” of the ball. He fell backwards onto the ground and likely experienced a grand jolt. The ball got away from his right hand as he hit the turf. It wasn’t ruled a touchdown. His tight end teammate Chase Coffman made a TD catch a few plays later. The Sooners raised their upper rung ever so much farther from the Tigers’ reach as Chris Brown made another TD. Oklahoma 55 and Missouri 21. Sooners defensive back Lendy Holmes picked off a deflected Chase Daniel’s pass towards the bottom of the fourth quarter. Mossis Madu got into the end zone a third time, making the Sooners the first team ever with five straight games with 60+ points. Oklahoma 62 and Missouri 21. Final score.

Observations & Miscellania:

1. Kirk Herbstreit and Brent Musburger were commentators.

2. Jimmy Stevens’s field goal in the first quarter almost wasn’t one. The ball skimmed the top of the crossbar of the uprights.

3. Herbstreit and Musburger noted that Big 12 Championship games have never enjoyed the grandeur of a kickoff-returned touchdown.

4. Chris Brown’s TD in the first quarter resulted from a series of fast footwork, and as if time slowed down just a dollop, Brown sprinted into the end zone when the Tigers’ defense inadvertently parted.

5. Halftime featured another Dr. Pepper scholarship football throwing contest. Kevin McShane and David Boger were the lucky two. Ten balls in a giant Dr. Pepper can. Awww, they both look so polite. ESPN did the split-screen from behind the two fellows. CBS filmed from a slight high-angle, extreme long shot (also behind the coeds). They both got six in so another five were attempted. Kevin McShane got the next five inside. He won $100,000.

6. Whenever Kirk Herbstreit said, “Chase Daniel,” I’d think he said, “Shea Stadium” or “Chase Stadium.” A helmeted Chase Daniel reminds me of a young John Travolta.

7. In a hush-hush kind of voice, Brent Musburger pointed out that singer Toby Keith was at the game supporting the Sooners.

Get game summary, stats, and play-by-play here.

College Football: USC Trojans bury the Ohio State Buckeyes

94,000 bodies funneled into the Los Angeles Coliseum to witness the Ohio State Buckeyes play the USC Trojans for the first time in eighteen years (broadcast on ESPN via ABC).  By halftime, the Trojans had female dog-slapped the Buckeyes 21 to 3.  USC touchdowns courtesy of quarterback Mark Sanchez fullback Stanley Havili, tight-end Blake Ayles, and linebacker Rey Maualuga’s interception and forty-eight yard run into the end zone.

The Trojans increased their lead again in the latter half of the third quarter with two touchdowns by wide receiver Damian Williams.   USC 35 and Ohio State 3.  Final score.

Get game summary, stats, and play-by-play here.

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Observations & Miscellania:

1. Kirk Herbstreit and Brent Musberger provided commentary.

2. Kenny Chesney’s song “Wild Ride” serves as ESPN’s Saturday Night Football opening number.

3. The Buckeyes’ uniforms reminded me of red peppermint candies and off-white Chuck Taylors.  The Trojans’ uniforms reminded me of ketchup and mustard.

4. O.A.R’s song “Shattered” was used in a montage game summary after halftime.

GQ Taiwan on USC Trojans

I was at Chinatown on Sunday and saw the April 2008 (issue 139) of GQ Taiwan.

I flipped through and saw an article in the Travel section called “25 Reasons to Go to L.A.”

Numbers 1 through 11 are:
1. Mulholland Drive
2. Venice Beach
3. Hollywood Forever Cemetery
4. Hotel Bel Air
5. The Getty Center
6. Sushi Roku
7. Santa Monica Farmer’s Market
8. Hollyhock House
9. Walt Disney Concert Hall
10. Mel’s Drive-In Diner
11. Le Montrose

Numbers 13 to 15 are:

13. Sprinkles
14. Rose Bowl Flea Market
15. Moonshadows
16. Griffith Park
17. Cut Steakhouse
18. Sunset Tower Hotel
19. Kinara Spa
20. Broad Contemporary Art Museum
21. Pacific Design Center
22. Geisha House Restaurant
23. The Grove
24. Shade Hotel
25. Shopanista

And numero 12?

The USC Trojans.

Here is the text in close-up:

Translated by yours truly:
American-style college football is a tremendously popular sport in the United States.  And, among all of American college football divisions, nobody can beat the Trojans in implementing an iron will as a team.  Their home field was built in the 1920s as the Coliseum stadium.  Two Olympic games and two Super Bowls have been held here.  Moreover, the Trojans often attract nearly 100,000 spectators’ enthusiastic cheering.  Find any Saturday afternoon, come here and experience a little bit of ancient Roman sports arena, leaving you seething with excitement at the American-styled football.  You’ll understand why Beckham wants to make these devoted Trojan fans switch to supporting the kind of football played by kicking, and why it’s an impossible mission.

The reason that I put this entry up today as opposed to later in the week is because my new glasses arrived.  Here are the specs I had for the past four years:

Here are my new ones, yes plural (two different styles):