2008 USC Trojans football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 2008 USC Trojans USC Trojans logo.svg 100 Pacific-10 Conference Pac-10 12–1 8–1 2 3 Pete Carroll 8th Steve Sarkisian 2nd Multiple Nick Holt 3rd 4–3 Jeff Byers Brian Cushing Kevin Ellison Mark Sanchez Los Angeles Coliseum Pac-10 championRose Bowl champion Rose Bowl W 38–24 vs. Penn State The 2008 USC Trojans football team (variously "Trojans" or "USC") represented the University of Southern California during the 2008 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Pete Carroll and played its home games at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Before the season Pre-season outlook 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings#Preseason polls The Trojans finished the 2007 season with a decisive Rose Bowl victory, #2 ranking in the Coaches Poll and #3 ranking (with one first-place vote) in the AP Poll.AP Top 25 - Final (Dec. 16), ESPN.com. Retrieved July 24, 2008.USA Today Coaches Poll - Final (Dec. 16), ESPN.com. Retrieved July 24, 2008. In January 2008, immediately after the bowl season, USC was ranked at #4 by Sports Illustrated online and #5 by ESPN.com; the general opinion was that while the Trojans were facing key player departures, the losses were mitigated by the overall talent level of the program. Georgia was ranked as the early pre-season #1 team.Georgia Rule Stewart Mandel http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/01/08/early.top10/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080111110602/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/01/08/early.top10/index.html dead January 11, 2008 Sports Illustrated January 8, 2008 July 24, 2008Georgia takes top spot in early look at 2008's Top 25 Mark Schlabach https://www.espn.com/college-football/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3186264 ESPN January 8, 2008 July 24, 2008 Sports Illustrated and ESPN.com soon revised their rankings to #3 and #4, respectively, after nearly all draft-eligible juniors decided to remain with the program instead of entering the NFL draft.Stewart Mandel, Early look at '08, SI.com, January 17, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008. Going into the spring, USC ranked as the premier team in the Pac-10 Conference, taking advantage of a deep talent pool, including a number of talented running backs holding over from the previous season.Trojans loaded but searching for QB replacement Tim Griffin https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3266729 ESPN February 27, 2008 July 24, 2008 The Trojans' biggest question entering spring practices was who would take over the starting quarterback position from John David Booty.Tim Griffin https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3266832 Quarterback battles, defensive replacements key to Pac-10 spring practices ESPN February 27, 2008 July 24, 2008Stewart Mandel http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/03/05/spring.questions/index.html?eref=T1 https://web.archive.org/web/20080311010556/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/03/05/spring.questions/index.html?eref=T1 dead March 11, 2008 Spring primer Sports Illustrated March 5, 2008 July 24, 2008 Junior Mark Sanchez entered spring practice as the acknowledged leader, having started three games the previous season due to an injury to Booty, winning two; however, Arkansas-transfer and former Razorback starter Mitch Mustain had the most college game experience, having started and won eight games for the 2006 Razorbacks team his freshman year while putting on an impressive performance on the scout team in the 2007 season during the NCAA-mandated waiting period.Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-spw-uscfoot26mar26,1,1035130.story https://web.archive.org/web/20080430120513/http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-spw-uscfoot26mar26,1,1035130.story dead April 30, 2008 USC plans to have starting quarterback in place by summer Los Angeles Times March 26, 2008 July 24, 2008 Both Sanchez (2005) and Mustain (2006) were considered the top quarterback in the nation coming out of their respective high school classes.Stewart Mandel http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/04/18/usc.sanchez/index.html?eref=T1 https://archive.today/20121206000142/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/04/18/usc.sanchez/index.html?eref=T1 dead December 6, 2012 Sanchez expected to continue USC's long line of excellence at QB Sports Illustrated April 18, 2008 July 24, 2008 The Trojans entered spring with a number of qualified running backs, but not quite as many as in 2007. Battling for the starting position were top returners Junior Stafon Johnson (673 yards) and sophomore Joe McKnight (540 yards); but challenging them would be redshirt sophomore C.J. Gable, who started five games as a freshman in 2006 and the first two of 2007 before a season-ending injury, junior Allen Bradford, as well as previously injured redshirt freshman Broderick Green and Marc Tyler.Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-uscspring25mar25,1,3210484.story USC spring football practice primer Los Angeles Times March 25, 2008 July 24, 2008 All six running backs earned Parade or USA Today All-American honors in high school, four earned both.Ted Miller https://www.espn.com/college-football/preview08/news/story?id=3540613 Carroll sees no problem with wealth of RB talent ESPN August 18, 2008 August 18, 2008 Questions remained around the wide receivers, who had struggled with consistency the previous season; all starters returned, with special attention focused on Arkansas transfer Damian Williams, who caught 19 passes for the Razorbacks in 2006 but sat out 2007 along with fellow Arkansas teammate Mustain.Ted Miller http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-65/Q-amp-A-with-USC-s-Steve-Sarkisian.html Q&A with USC's Steve Sarkisian ESPN July 23, 2008 July 28, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081007091101/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-65/Q-amp-A-with-USC-s-Steve-Sarkisian.html October 7, 2008 The offensive line was hit hard by graduation, returning only one starter. The defense lost several important players to graduation, but the linebacker corp returned key players such as Brian Cushing Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews. By the end of spring practice, the USC coaching staff announced that Sanchez would be the designated starting quarterback going into fall camp.Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-usc16apr16,1,5445089.story Sanchez gets the nod at USC Los Angeles Times April 16, 2008 July 24, 2008Cory McCartney http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/cory_mccartney/05/01/winners.losers/index.html Spring's biggest winners and losers SI.com May 1, 2008 July 24, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080720023426/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/cory_mccartney/05/01/winners.losers/index.html July 20, 2008 Ted Miller http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-82/Once-anointed-as-USC-QB--Sanchez-asserted-himself.html Once anointed as USC QB, Sanchez asserted himself ESPN July 24, 2008 July 28, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080729072550/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-82/Once-anointed-as-USC-QB--Sanchez-asserted-himself.html July 29, 2008 A crowd of 22,000 watched the Trojan Huddle, USC's spring game that ends spring practices, where Sanchez, Mustain and redshirt freshman Aaron Corp all performed well against Trojan defenses; the White team defeated Cardinal, 39–36, in double overtime.Bruce Feldman https://www.espn.com/college-football/notebook?page=Springgamenotebook080420 Grade A(-) Performance ESPN The Magazine April 21, 2008 July 24, 2008 With a number of talented linebackers, the Carroll and defensive coordinator Nick Holt began experimenting with using a 3-4 defense variation implementing the "Elephant Position", which features a hybrid end/linebacker position.Ted Miller https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3378373 Griffen ready to leave his mark on Pac-10 QBs ESPN May 2, 2008 July 24, 2008 The Trojans had used Cushing in the Elephant position during the 2006 season before returning to their traditional 4-3 during the 2007 season. In the 2008 variation, the position was filled by senior Clay Matthews, a former walk-on.Richard Cirminiello http://cfn.scout.com/2/751855.html Pac 10 Spring Football – What's Happening? Scout.com May 2, 2008 July 24, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080807134158/http://cfn.scout.com/2/751855.html 2008-08-07 dead After spring practices finished across the nation, Sports Illustrated revised its rankings and placed USC as the #3 team, behind Georgia and Ohio State; while ESPN ranked the Trojans #4, behind Ohio State, Georgia and Oklahoma.Stewart Mandel http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/05/01/spring.rankings/index.html Georgia exits spring as No. 1 SI.com May 1, 2008 July 24, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080720023514/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/05/01/spring.rankings/index.html July 20, 2008 Mark Schlabach, Buckeyes rise to No. 1 in updated Top 25, ESPN, May 9, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008. The running back tandem of Stafon Johnson and Joe McKnight was compared to the "Thunder and Lightning" combination of LenDale White and Reggie Bush, with McKnight mentioned as a top ten Heisman Trophy contender going into the fall.Gene Menez http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/gene_menez/04/30/springwrap.watch/index.html Ohio State's Wells is the man to beat in the 2008 campaign SI.com May 1, 2008 July 24, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080717211931/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/gene_menez/04/30/springwrap.watch/index.html July 17, 2008 At the Pacific-10 Conference media day, the Trojans were the near-unanimous pre-season pick to win the conference. USC took 38 of 39 first-place votes; California, which were picked to finish fourth in the overall standings, received the other vote.Gary Klein David Wharton http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-usc25-2008jul25,0,3046928.story USC near-unanimous choice to win Pac-10 football title Los Angeles Times July 24, 2008 July 24, 2008 This was USC's sixth year in a row as the favorite to win the conference title, the longest streak since the Trojans 18-year run from 1965 to 1982.Adam Rose http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/allthingstrojan/2008/07/blogging-from-p.html Blogging from Pac-10 Media Day Los Angeles Times July 24, 2008 July 24, 2008March 2016 On the release of the preseason Coaches' Poll, USC was ranked #2 in the nation, behind the 2008 Georgia team: Georgia received 1438 points with 22 first-place votes while USC received 1430 points with 14 first-place votes. Meanwhile, the 2008 Ohio State team was ranked third with 1392 points but an equal number of first-place votes with 14.Georgia is preseason No. 1 ahead of USC in coaches' poll, ESPN.com, August 1, 2008. Retrieved August 1, 2008.2008 NCAA Football Rankings - Preseason (Aug. 17), ESPN.com. Retrieved August 1, 2008. The preseason Associated Press (AP) Poll ranked USC #3 in the nation, behind Georgia and Ohio State. USC received 12 first-place votes and 1490 points, compared to Georgia's 22 first-place votes and 1528 points and Ohio State's 21 first-place votes and 1506 points.2008 NCAA Football Rankings - Preseason (Aug. 17), ESPN.com. Retrieved August 18, 2008. Both polls added to the interest in the OSU-USC game on September 13. A major concern arose in the first week of fall camp, when Sanchez suffered a dislocated left kneecap while warming up for practice. Trainers were able to immediately put the kneecap back into place, but the injury sidelined Sanchez and threw his availability for the season opener at Virginia (and beyond) into question. As a result, Mustain and redshirt freshman Aaron Corp began alternating repetitions with the first team offense and competing for the possible starting spot.Ted Miller http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-191/QB-intrigue-continues-at-USC.html QB intrigue continues at USC ESPN August 18, 2008 August 18, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080822085126/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-191/QB-intrigue-continues-at-USC.html August 22, 2008 Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-sanchez9-2008aug09,0,2472162.story Mark Sanchez's knee injury muddies waters at USC Los Angeles Times August 9, 2008 August 11, 2008Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-usc10-2008aug10,0,2265071.story Mitch Mustain, Aaron Corp battle for starting spot Los Angeles Times August 10, 2008 August 11, 2008 After missing nearly three weeks, Sanchez was cleared to play in the opener on the final day of fall camp; Corp was selected as his back-up.Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-usc27-2008aug27,0,5692225.story USC quarterback Mark Sanchez has uneven practice, is cleared to play Los Angeles Times August 27, 2008 August 27, 2008Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-usc28-2008aug28,0,1474056.story Aaron Corp set to back up quarterback Mark Sanchez at USC Los Angeles Times August 28, 2008 August 29, 2008 The biggest issue facing the team entering the season was how the rebuilt offensive line would perform, though it had improved over the course of fall camp.Ted Miller http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-223/One-big-issue-for-each-Pac-10-team.html One big issue for each Pac-10 team ESPN August 22, 2008 August 23, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080914101159/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-223/One-Big-Issue-for-each-Pac-10-team.html September 14, 2008 Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-uscseason23-2008aug23,0,1938613.story USC football season at a glance Los Angeles Times August 23, 2008 August 23, 2008 Sanchez, Cushing, offensive lineman Jeff Byers, and senior safety Kevin Ellison were elected team captains by their teammates.Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-uscfyi23-2008aug23,0,6226069.story Mark Sanchez is elected captain Los Angeles Times August 23, 2008 August 23, 2008 In the week preceding the regular season, all twelve experts polled by ESPN picked USC to win the Pac-10 conference, and three expected them to make it to the BCS National Championship Game with two expecting them to prevail.Sooners, Buckeyes favored to reach '08 title game, ESPN.com, August 25, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2008. All seven experts polled by Sports Illustrated picked USC to win their conference, with three forecasting them in the Championship Game with one selecting them to prevail.SI.com's team of experts make their picks for the 2008 campaign, SI.com, August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2008. Rivals.com's panel of four experts unanimously picked USC to play in the title game.Roundtable: Time to pick a BCS title game matchup https://web.archive.org/web/20080826012229/http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=841213 August 26, 2008 , Rivals.com, August 23, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2008. Recruiting class Recruiting (college athletics) USC brought in a top-10 recruiting class in 2008.Tom Luginbill Craig Haubert Billy Tucker Bill Conley https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/columns/story?columnist=luginbill_tom&id=3233826 Miami claims top 2008 recruiting class ESPN March 19, 2008 February 5, 2009Rivals.com 2008 Top 25 class rankings, Rivals.com, February 5, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2009.Team Rankings https://web.archive.org/web/20110429203226/http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2008 2011-04-29 , Scout.com, March 24, 2008. Retrieved February 5, 2009. Transfers Shane Horton, the brother of 2008 recruit Wes Horton, transferred from UNLV and would be required to sit out one season by NCAA rules. Junior transfer Steve Gatena, former United States Air Force Academy Class of 2008 Cadet, transferred in from UC Davis as an offensive left tackle.https://sports.yahoo.com/video/college-football/Steve-Gatena-Walk-on-Profile-51633 Steve Gatena – Walk-on Profile – Rivals.com Video Rivals.yahoo.com July 14, 2009 September 7, 2010 June 9, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250609073311/https://sports.yahoo.com/video/college-football/Steve-Gatena-Walk-on-Profile-51633 dead Gatena was required to sit out one season by NCAA rules. However, due to his academic standing as a graduate student, Gatena was granted a one time transfer exception for pursuing his academic career and played as the second string left tackle in the season opener against Virginia.http://annenberg.usc.edu/News%20and%20Events/News/100722_Entrepreneurship.aspx USC Annenberg | Communication Management students team up to launch entrepreneurial online video business Annenberg.usc.edu August 4, 2010 September 7, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100826031228/http://annenberg.usc.edu/News%20and%20Events/News/100722_Entrepreneurship.aspx August 26, 2010 live Jordan Cameron, the uncle of Matt Leinart's son with USC basketball player Brynn Cameron, transferred in from Ventura College.Men's Basketball Athlete Profile - Jordan Cameron https://web.archive.org/web/20080215080941/http://www.byucougars.com/Profile.jsp?ID=2746 2008-02-15 , BYUCougars.com, Retrieved March 26, 2008.Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-usc19apr19,1,7408937.story https://web.archive.org/web/20080430025305/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-usc19apr19,1,7408937.story dead April 30, 2008 USC's Tupou has a nose in front Los Angeles Times April 19, 2008 April 19, 2008 A former freshman basketball player from Brigham Young University, Cameron attempted to transfer before the 2007 season to also play football as a wide receiver.2007 USC Trojan Football Media Guide (Section 3), USC Athletic Department, July 2007. However, when some of Cameron's units from Brigham Young did not transfer to USC, he needed to withdraw and attend Ventura College, missing the season but with the option to try to rejoin the team in 2008 (regardless, he would have been ineligible to play in 2007 due to NCAA transfer rules).Scott Wolf http://www.sbsun.com/sports/ci_6474499 Trojans busy counting scholarships San Bernardino Sun July 26, 2007 July 26, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070804231055/http://www.sbsun.com/sports/ci_6474499 August 4, 2007 Departures In addition to graduating starting senior 2007 All-Americans Sam Baker (offensive tackle), John Mackey Award-winner Fred Davis (tight end), Sedrick Ellis (nose tackle), and Keith Rivers (linebacker), as well as first team all-conference defensive end Lawrence Jackson, 2006 first team all-conference quarterback John David Booty and second team all-conference defensive back Terrell Thomas, the Trojans also lost junior All-Conference offensive guard Chilo Rachal to the 2008 NFL draft. Pac-10 conference honorable mention offensive linemen Drew Radovich and Matt Spanos, tailback Chauncey Washington, and linebacker Thomas Williams also departed.Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz http://media.www.dailytrojan.com/media/storage/paper679/news/2008/01/18/Sports/Dont-Rush.Judgment.On.Rachals.Decision-3158174.shtml Don't rush judgment on Rachal's decision Daily Trojan January 18, 2008 July 26, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080822091131/http://media.www.dailytrojan.com/media/storage/paper679/news/2008/01/18/Sports/Dont-Rush.Judgment.On.Rachals.Decision-3158174.shtml August 22, 2008 Offseason news On the Monday after the 2007 UCLA–USC rivalry game, a 24–7 Trojans victory, embattled Bruins head coach Karl Dorrell was fired.Chris Foster https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-dec-04-sp-dorrell4-story.html Bruins ready for next step Los Angeles Times December 4, 2007 July 6, 2008 His replacement was former UCLA quarterback Rick Neuheisel, who held previous head coach positions at both Colorado and Washington where he led teams to overall successful records but his departures coincided with NCAA investigations at both universities.Chris Foster https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-dec-30-sp-neuheisel30-story.html Neuheisel goes back to school Los Angeles Times December 30, 2008 July 26, 2008 Within a month on the job, Neuheisel attracted attention by hiring former USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow as his offensive coordinator. While with Trojans from 2001 to 2004, Chow led the offense to the 2003 and 2004 national championships and saw quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart win the Heisman Trophy.Chris Foster https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jan-21-sp-chow21-story.html UCLA hires Norm Chow as offensive coordinator Los Angeles Times January 21, 2008 July 26, 2008 The hire of Chow injected a new level of drama to the rivalry that had somewhat stagnated under Dorrell.Bill Plaschke, UCLA gives USC reasons to worry, Los Angeles Times, January 23, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2008.Bill Plaschke Bill Plaschke https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-25-sp-plaschke25-story.html Some summer sizzle for USC-UCLA football rivalry Los Angeles Times July 25, 2008 July 26, 2008 Schedule The Sporting News ranked the schedule as the toughest in the Pac-10; ESPN.com ranked it as the fourth toughest in the conference.Matt Hayes http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=425919 Ranking the nonconference schedules: Pac-10 The Sporting News June 20, 2008 June 25, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080624090930/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=425919 June 24, 2008 Ted Miller http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-232/Pac-10-s-toughest-schedules.html Pac-10's toughest schedules ESPN August 25, 2008 August 25, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080915120430/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-232/Pac-10-s-toughest-schedules.html September 15, 2008 ESPN.com ranked the nonconference schedule as the fifth most difficult in the nation, noting that if Virginia had a good year it would be the toughest.Bruce Feldman http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3467518&name=feldman_bruce Return of the weekly Top 10 list ESPN June 30, 2008 July 2, 2008 2008 AP Pacific August 30 12:30 p.m. w y y 3 Virginia Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA ABC 52–7 64,947 September 13 5:00 p.m. w y 1 Ohio State 5 College GameDay Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC 35–3 93,607 September 25, 2008 6:00 p.m. l y 1 Oregon State Reser Stadium Corvallis, OR ESPN 21–27 42,839 October 4 5:00 p.m. w 9 Oregon 23 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC 44–10 82,765 October 11 12:30 p.m. w 8 Arizona State Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC 28–0 84,956 October 18 12:30 p.m. w y 6 Washington State Martin Stadium Pullman, WA FSN 69–0 25,118 October 25 7:15 p.m. w y 6 Arizona Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ FSN 17–10 57,427 November 1 3:30 p.m. w y 7 Washington Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA FSN 56–0 80,216 November 8 5:00 p.m. w 7 California 21 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC 17–3 88,523 November 15 4:00 p.m. w y 6 Stanford rivalry Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA Versus 45–23 50,425 November 29 5:00 p.m. w y 5 Notre Dame Jeweled Shillelagh Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ESPN 38–3 90,689 December 6 1:30 p.m. w y 5 UCLA Victory Bell Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA ABC 28–7 87,790 January 1, 2009, 2009 2:10 p.m. w y 4-T Penn State 6 Rose Bowl) (College GameDay) Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA ABC 38–24 93,293 Roster Wide receiver  1 Patrick Turner – Senior  7 Shane Kovalsky- Junior  8 Ronald Johnson – Sophomore  9 David Ausberry – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 14 Garrett Green – Junior 17 Travon Patterson – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 18 Damian Williams – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 23 Jordan Cameron – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 28 Drew Ness – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 46 Sean Calcagnie – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 47 Scott Stephens – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 49 Robbie Boyer – Freshman 80 Brandon Carswell – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 81 Spencer Vigoren – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 83 Brice Butler – Freshman 87 Preston Cavignac – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore Center 50 Abe Markowitz – Freshman 61 Kristofer O'Dowd – Sophomore 67 Micheal Reardon – 10px|Redshirt Freshman Offensive guard 53 Jeff Byers – 10px|Redshirt Senior 56 Alex Parsons – Junior 64 Garrett Nolan – 10px|Redshirt Junior 66 Matt Meyer – Freshman 74 Zach Heberer – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 77 Thomas Herring – 10px|Redshirt Junior 78 Khaled Holmes – Freshman Offensive tackle 68 Butch Lewis – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 70 Tyron Smith – Freshman 71 Charles Brown – 10px|Redshirt Junior 72 Martin Coleman – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 73 Steve Gatena – 10px|Redshirt Junior 75 Matt Kalil – Freshman 76 Nick Howell – 10px|Redshirt Junior Tight end 40 Rhett Ellison – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 86 Anthony McCoy – Junior 88 Jimmy Miller – 10px|Redshirt Senior 89 Blake Ayles – Freshman Quarterback 6 Mark Sanchez – 10px|Redshirt Junior 15 Nick Hyde – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 16 Mitch Mustain – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 19 Chris McCaffery – Freshman Tailback 21 Nolan Scelzi – senior 22 Curtis McNeal – Freshman 26 Marc Tyler – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 29 Broderick Green – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 39 Chris Fornataro – Freshman Fullback 10 D.J. Shoemate – Freshman 31 Stanley Havili – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 39 Alfred Rowe – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 41 Matt Hillier – 10px|Redshirt Senior 45 Adam Goodman – 10px|Redshirt Junior Defensive tackle 44 Christian Tupou – Sophomore 75 Fili Moala – 10px|Redshirt Senior 90 Derek Simmons – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 91 Jurrell Casey – Freshman 94 Armond Armstead – Freshman 95 Lawrence Miles – 10px|Redshirt Senior 98 DaJohn Harris – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 99 Averell Spicer – 10px|Redshirt Junior Defensive end  8 Nick Perry – Freshman 67 Michael Reardon – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 79 Andrew Weiss – 10px|Redshirt Senior 81 Gerald Washington – 10px|Redshirt Senior 84 Kyle Moore – Senior 92 Trey Henderson – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 93 Everson Griffen – Sophomore 96 Wes Horton – Freshman 97 Malik Jackson – Freshman Punter 25 Billy O'Malley – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 44 Greg Woidneck – 10px|Redshirt Senior Cornerback  1 T.J. Bryant – Freshman  7 Cary Harris – Senior 15 Kevin Thomas – Senior 22 Jim Abbott – 10px|Redshirt Senior 24 Shareece Wright – Junior 25 Daniel Harper – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 30 Brian Baucham – Freshman 45 Omari Crittenden – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 48 Matthew Jordan – 10px|Redshirt Junior Linebacker 24 Jake Beck- senior 10 Brian Cushing – Senior 17 Michael Morgan – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 6 Malcolm Smith – Sophomore 35 Uona Kaveinga – Freshman 37 Jordan Campbell – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 43 Kaluka Maiava – Senior 46 Ross Cumming – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 47 Clay Matthews III – 10px|Redshirt Senior 52 Luther Brown – 10px|Redshirt Junior 54 Chris Galippo – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 57 Nick Garratt – 10px|Redshirt Junior 58 Rey Maualuga – Senior 59 Dan Deckas – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore Safety  2 Taylor Mays – Junior  4 Kevin Ellison – Senior 19 Drew McAllister – Freshman 23 Shane Horton – Sophomore‡ 26 Will Harris – 10px|Redshirt Junior 27 Marshall Jones – Sophomore 28 Justin Hart – 10px|Redshirt Junior 34 Spencer Spiegel – 10px|Redshirt Freshman 36 Josh Pinkard – 10px|Redshirt Senior 36 Robert Erickson – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 49 Ryan McMahon – Freshman Long snapper 62 Chris Poussan – Freshman 63 Christian Putnam – 10px|Redshirt Junior 85 Cooper Stevenson – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore Place kicker 18 David Buehler – Senior 30 Joe Houston – 10px|Redshirt Sophomore 38 Jordon Congdon – 10px|Redshirt JuniorSources: 2007 USC Trojans Football Media Guide, 2008 USC Football Alphabetical Roster‡ indicates that the player is a transfer who is ineligible to play 2008 season but is allowed to practice with scout teamPlayers who left the team are struck out Coaching staff 250px|thumb|right| Pete Carroll Head Coach Nearly the entire USC coaching staff returned from the 2007 season, with the only change being a different Graduate Assistant working with the secondary.Ted Miller http://myespn.go.com/blogs/ncfnation/0-1-214/Catching-up-with-Pete-Carroll--Part-I.html Catching up with Pete Carroll, Part I ESPN August 20, 2008 August 22, 2008 June 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes Name Position Yearat USC Alma mater (year) Pete Carroll Head coach 8th Pacific (1973) Steve Sarkisian Offensive coordinatorQuarterbacks 7th2001–2003,2005–2008 BYU (1997) Nick Holt Defensive coordinatorDefensive line 6th2001–2003,2006–2008 Pacific (1986) Todd McNair Running backsSpecial teams coordinator 5th Temple(1988) Brennan Carroll Tight endsRecruiting coordinator 7th Pittsburgh (2001) John Morton Wide receiversPassing Game Coordinator 2nd Western Michigan (1992) Ken Norton Jr. Linebackers 5th UCLA (1988) Pat Ruel Offensive line 4th Miami (1972) Rocky Seto Secondary 10th USC (1999) David Watson Defensive line 3rd Western Illinois (2001) Chris Carlisle Strength and conditioning 8th Chadron State (1985) Game summaries Virginia Trojans 21 3 14 14 Cavaliers 7 0 0 0 2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team The Trojans opened their season by visiting the University of Virginia Cavaliers of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) under Al Groh in the first ever game between the two programs and first USC game in Virginia.USC Football Opens 2008 Season At Virginia https://web.archive.org/web/20080827112331/http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082308aaa.html 2008-08-27 , USCTrojans.com, August 23, 2008. Retrieved August 26, 2008. Virginia went 9–4 in 2007, but off-season losses to both the NFL and unexpected issues left the Cavaliers ranked fifth-out-of-six teams in the ACC's Coastal Division in the preseason.Doug Doughty http://www.roanoke.com/sports/uvafootball/wb/170385 https://archive.today/20130201123726/http://www.roanoke.com/sports/uvafootball/wb/170385 dead February 1, 2013 Groh glad to have Trojans as the opener The Roanoke Times July 23, 2008 July 28, 2008 Five UVA players were arrested during the off-season and five other players were dismissed from the team because of academic reasons.UVA Football Players Arrested https://web.archive.org/web/20080805105836/http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=8746000&nav=menu496_4_1 2008-08-05 , NBC29 Sports, July 28, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2008. The game was described as possibly the biggest home opener for Virginia at Scott Stadium. Groh noted that he was pleased the game opened his team's schedule due to USC's ability and the general distraction it would otherwise pose to conference play: "It's as good a time as any in that we only wanted to play it in the first game, and they only wanted to play it in the first game." Virginia entered the game having gone 3–4 in opening games under Groh. Virginia will become the 34th state (plus Japan) where the Trojans have played football.Jerry Ratcliffe http://www.dailyprogress.com/sports/things-to-know-about-usc/article_13fff4ff-96b1-52cf-b864-71d1cca6adb4.html 30 things to know about USC The Daily Progress August 23, 2008 2016-03-12 USC entered the game favored by 19.5 points.David Wharton http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-virginia25-2008aug25,0,6213372.story Virginia's football team needs some magic for opener with USC Los Angeles Times August 25, 2008 August 25, 2008 Scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter was all USC needed to beat up on the Cavaliers at their home field. Quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 338 yards, CJ Gable ran for 73 yards, and Ronald Johnson had 78 yards in receiving. The No. 3 Trojans got off to a good start, thanks to the Virginia turnovers. USC continued their undefeated streak in openers away from home under Carroll.Yes, Virginia, there is an opener for USC football team, Los Angeles Times, August 30, 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2008. Ohio State Ohio State 3 0 0 0 USC 7 14 14 0 September 13 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 8:00 p.m. EST 93,607 Brent Musburger & Kirk Herbstreit ABC yes 1 3:06 OSU Ryan Pretorius 29-yard field goal OSU 3-0 1 0:33 USC Stanley Havili 35-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 7-3 2 11:00 USC Blake Ayles 1-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 14-3 2 2:49 USC Rey Maualuga 48-yard interception return (David Buehler kick) USC 21-3 3 6:02 USC Damian Williams 24-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 28-3 3 1:33 USC Damian Williams 17-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 35-3 yes 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team After a bye week, the Trojans hosted the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference under head coach Jim Tressel. USC or Ohio State had played in five of the last six BCS title games.Jerry Crowe https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jan-10-sp-crowe10-story.html Text messages from press row Los Angeles Times January 10, 2008 January 10, 2008 The non-conference game between two perennial powers had potential national championship implications for either program.Stewart Mandel http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/05/06/mailbag/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080510125432/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/05/06/mailbag/index.html dead May 10, 2008 Why a 'plus-one' was shot down; post-Perrilloux LSU and more SI.com May 7, 2008 May 9, 2008John Walters http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24987368/?pg=3#spt_cfb_impact_games Top 10 impact games NBC Sports June 2008 June 9, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081216110411/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24987368/?pg=3#spt_cfb_impact_games December 16, 2008 dead A historic rivalry existed between the two teams: Between 1968 and 1984, they met six times in the Rose Bowl and determined the eventual National Champion in three of those contests.Rob Oller http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/09/09/osu-usc_history.ART_ART_09-09-08_C1_8RB98RJ.html?sid=101 Trojan Wars The Columbus Dispatch September 9, 2008 September 9, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523044911/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/09/09/osu-usc_history.ART_ART_09-09-08_C1_8RB98RJ.html?sid=101 2011-05-23 deadThe rivalry https://web.archive.org/web/20110523045624/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/09/09/osu-usc_games.ART_ART_09-09-08_C3_8RB9A47.html?sid=101 2011-05-23 , The Columbus Dispatch, September 9, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2008. The teams had not faced one another since September 29, 1990, when Todd Marinovich led the Trojans to a 35–26 victory in Ohio Stadium in a game that was called because of a thunderstorm with 2 minutes 36 seconds to play. By the end of the 2007–08 season, the game garnered interest as a possible early-season battle between top-10 teams. By the beginning of the season it was named as the most anticipated regular-season game of 2008.Bruce Feldman http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3498446&name=feldman_bruce Ohio State-USC tops must-see games of 2008 ESPN July 21, 2008 July 30, 2008Ted Miller http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-231/2008-Pac-10-games-to-watch.html 2008 Pac-10 games to watch ESPN August 25, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080901233500/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-231/2008-Pac-10-games-to-watch.html September 1, 2008 The winning team was assumed to have an inside track to the national title game, though, given recent trends in the title game, the loser also had a reasonable chance as well.Chris Dufresne https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-29-sp-dufestories29-story.html College football: Looking ahead because there's no going back Los Angeles Times July 29, 2008 July 31, 2008 In naming it the top potentially season-defining game of 2008, Sports Illustrated highlighted a theme of credibility: Ohio State enters the game trying to move past the BCS title game losses of the previous two seasons and USC enters trying to show it remains highly competitive with its new starting quarterback and four of five new players on the offensive line.Stewart Mandel http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/06/30/ten.defining.games/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080706001210/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/06/30/ten.defining.games/index.html dead July 6, 2008 Ten season-defining games in '08 SI.com July 1, 2008 July 2, 2008Mark Schlabach https://www.espn.com/college-football/preview08/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3549234 Keep up-to-date on the best the 2008 season has to offer ESPN August 25, 2008 August 25, 2008 The game was also viewed as a possible Heisman Trophy showdown, primarily between Ohio State's running back Chris "Beanie" Wells and USC's Sanchez.Gene Menez http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/gene_menez/09/08/heisman.watch/index.html?eref=T1 https://web.archive.org/web/20080914021440/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/gene_menez/09/08/heisman.watch/index.html?eref=T1 dead September 14, 2008 Ohio State-USC showdown will have big impact on Heisman race SI.com September 8, 2008 September 8, 2008 During the preseason Pac-10 Media Day, Carroll noted that "It's games like this that make us."Ted Miller http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-81/On-stage--USC-s-Pete-Carroll.html On stage: USC's Pete Carroll ESPN July 24, 2008 July 24, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080804192821/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-81/On-stage--USC-s-Pete-Carroll.html August 4, 2008 The Buckeyes featured a combination of quarterbacks: Fifth-year senior and All-Big-Ten quarterback Todd Boeckman continued to start for the Buckeyes, however in 2008 he was supplemented by highly regarded true-freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor. The combination aimed to use Boeckman's prowess as a classic drop-back passer with Pryor's speed and ability to scramble for yards.David Wharton http://www.buckeyecountry.net/usc-will-watch-ohio-state-ohio-game-for-quarterback-clues USC will watch Ohio State-Ohio game for quarterback clues Los Angeles Times September 5, 2008 September 5, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20110131115739/http://www.buckeyecountry.net/usc-will-watch-ohio-state-ohio-game-for-quarterback-clues 2011-01-31 dead The Trojans had particular concerns about Pryor, who had many of capabilities that made previous athletic scrambling quarterbacks, such as Dennis Dixon, Jake Locker and Vince Young, difficult for the defense to contain.https://www.espn.com/blog/pac10/post/_/id/336/should-usc-s-defense-be-on-pryor-notice Should USC's defense be on Pryor notice? Miller Ted ESPN September 8, 2008 September 9, 2008David Wharton https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-10-sp-buckeyes10-story.html Ohio State's forgotten quarterback Los Angeles Times September 10, 2008 September 10, 2008 The Buckeyes came in with a strong defense, led by All-American and Butkus Award-winning linebacker James Laurinaitis and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins.Mark Schlabach https://www.espn.com/college-football/notebook?page=notebook/onthemark0908 Spotlights on quarterbacks in Ohio State-USC showdown ESPN September 8, 2008 September 9, 2008 Both linebacking corps, highlighted by the Buckeyes' Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman as well as the Trojans' Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, were considered the best in the country.Cory McCartney http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/cory_mccartney/09/11/ohiost.usc.ap/index.html?eref=T1 https://web.archive.org/web/20080914021304/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/cory_mccartney/09/11/ohiost.usc.ap/index.html?eref=T1 dead September 14, 2008 Game of the Week: Ohio State at USC SI.com September 11, 2008 September 11, 2008Adam Rittenberg Adam Rittenberg http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigten/0-2-98/Buckeyes--linebackers-a-tag-team-effort.html Buckeyes' linebackers a tag-team effort ESPN September 11, 2008 September 11, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080912075758/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigten/0-2-98/Buckeyes--linebackers-a-tag-team-effort.html September 12, 2008 Ted Miller http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-2-77/USC-Ohio-State--LB-matchup-is-scary-good.html USC-Ohio State: LB matchup is scary-good ESPN September 11, 2008 September 11, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080912080221/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-2-77/USC-Ohio-State--LB-matchup-is-scary-good.html September 12, 2008 One of the major storylines entering the game surrounded the health of Ohio State's star running back, Beanie Wells. Well injured his foot in the Buckeyes' opener, and sat out the second game of the season. Early during the week of the game he was cleared to play against the Trojans; however by the Thursday his presence assessed as doubtful after he experienced soreness in his foot one day after returning to practice.Gary Klein https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-10-sp-uscfyi10-story.html USC not surprised that Ohio State's Wells will play Los Angeles Times September 10, 2008 September 10, 2008Wells sore after Wednesday workout; Tressel not optimistic, ESPN.com, September 11, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008. Although scheduled for the third week of the season, the game was the primary focus of fan and media attention for both programs. Ticket prices rose to levels from $100 to $5,000 apiece.Gary Klein David Wharton https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-09-sp-uscfyi9-story.html Tickets to USC-Ohio State game are hard to find Los Angeles Times September 9, 2008 September 9, 2008 The game received heightened attention in national sports news when USC alumnus and starting quarterback for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals, Carson Palmer told a radio show "I cannot stand the Buckeyes and having to live in Ohio and hear those people talk about their team, it drives me absolutely nuts [. . .] I just can't wait for this game to get here so they can come out to the Coliseum and experience L.A. and get an old-fashioned, Pac-10 butt-whupping." While Tressel defended Palmer's comments as those of fan, Ohio State fans were incensed.David Wharton https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-06-sp-columbus6-story.html The script in Ohio features a Vested interest Los Angeles Times September 6, 2008 September 7, 2008 In the week before the game, Buckeyes wide receiver Ray Small stated that USC lacked the "class" of Ohio State, noting that "[A]t Ohio State, they teach you to be a better man. There, it's just all about football", further nothing that he felt that USC was "not even serious about the game."Gary Klein David Wharton https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-07-sp-uscfyi7-story.html Ohio State receiver calls out USC football program on issue of class Los Angeles Times September 7, 2008 September 7, 2008Bill Plaschke https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-10-sp-plaschke10-story.html Buckeyes can't play man-to-man Los Angeles Times September 10, 2008 September 10, 2008 Sideline passes were in high demand, with celebrities such as Denzel Washington and Jamie Foxx in attendance.Gary Klein http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-spw-uscsideline11-2008sep11,0,2090427.story https://web.archive.org/web/20080912161811/http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-spw-uscsideline11-2008sep11,0,2090427.story dead September 12, 2008 Sideline pass to USC football game is the hottest ticket in town Los Angeles Times September 11, 2008 September 11, 2008 USC and Ohio State opened the preseason ranked No. 2 and 3 in both the AP and Coaches Polls, swapping positions in each.2008 NCAA Football Rankings - Preseason (Aug. 24), ESPN.com. Retrieved September 8, 2008.2008 NCAA Football Rankings - Preseason (Aug. 24), ESPN.com. Retrieved September 8, 2008. After the Trojans' strong performance against Virginia, USC rose to No. 1 and Ohio State ranked No. 3 in both polls.2008 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 1 (Aug. 31), ESPN.com. Retrieved September 8, 2008.2008 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 1 (Aug. 31), ESPN.com. Retrieved September 8, 2008. However, after Ohio State struggled in their week 2 win against an unregarded Ohio team, they fell to No. 5 in both polls while USC remained No. 1.2008 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 2 (Sept. 7), ESPN.com. Retrieved September 8, 2008.2008 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 2 (Sept. 7), ESPN.com. Retrieved September 8, 2008.David Wharton https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-09-sp-uscfyi9-story.html Ohio State searches for upside after long weekend Los Angeles Times September 8, 2008 By game week the Trojans were considered 10-point favorites.Ted Miller http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-2-78/Ohio-State-s-Beanie-Wells--doubtful-----possible-outcomes.html OSU's Chris Wells 'doubtful': possible outcomes ESPN September 11, 2008 September 11, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080914015432/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-2-78/Ohio-State-s-Beanie-Wells--doubtful-----possible-outcomes.html September 14, 2008 center|800px|thumb|Ohio State at USC Oregon State Trojans 0 0 14 7 Beavers 7 14 0 6 2008 Oregon State Beavers football team The Trojans began their Pac-10 Conference schedule on the road against the Oregon State Beavers, under head coach Mike Riley, in Corvallis, Oregon. On their previous visit to Reser Stadium, during the 2006 season, the Beavers defeated the Trojans, 33–31, in a major upset; as such, the game was mentioned in the preseason as a possible upset for the Trojans.Three and out: Beavers stun USC; BCS race wide open, Associated Press, October 28, 2006. Retrieved October 15, 2008. Freshman Jacquizz Rodgers (#1) ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns for OSU, USC quarterback Mark Sanchez (#6) passed for 227 yards, and Damian Williams (#18) caught 80 yards for the top ranked Trojans in an upset loss.Anne M. Peterson https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=200809250061 AP Report Rivals.yahoo.com September 26, 2008 September 7, 2010 Oregon State was the only Pac-10 Conference school to have beaten USC twice during the Pete Carroll era, until Oregon and Stanford equaled the feat in 2009. Oregon Ducks 7 3 0 0 Trojans 3 24 10 7 2008 Oregon Ducks football team Before the season the game was named a game of interest and the second most interesting Pac-10 game to watch after Ohio State-USC, in part due to the potential battle for the top of the conference. Arizona State Sun Devils 0 0 0 0 Trojans 7 14 0 7 Entering the season, Arizona State was named as a possible challenger to USC's dominance of the Pac-10. Washington State 2008 Washington State Cougars football team USC Trojans 2; text-align:center collapsed #6 USC Trojans (4–1) at Washington State Cougars (1–6) October 18 12:30 p.m. PDT USC 21 20 7 21 Washington St 0 0 0 0 Martin Stadium • Pullman, Washington 25,118 Overcast • 55 F C • Wind S 5 mph km/h knot Larry Farina USC Official Athletic Site USC Mark Sanchez15/20, 253 Yds, 5 TD Broderick Green18 Rush, 121 Yds, 2 TD Ronald Johnson5 Rec, 94 Yds, 2 TD Washington St Kevin Lopina6/9, 28 Yds, INT Logwone Mitz19 Rush, 52 Yds Jeshua Anderson4 Rec, 29 Yds Arizona 2008 Arizona Wildcats football team Trojans 3 7 7 0 Wildcats 0 3 7 0 Washington 2008 Washington Huskies football team Huskies 0 0 0 0 Trojans 21 21 7 7 800px|center|thumb|The announced crowd of over 80,000 dissipated by midway though the fourth quarter, as the Trojans, using second and third team players, were already leading 49–0. California 2008 California Golden Bears football team Golden Bears 0 3 0 0 Trojans 3 7 0 7 This game was mentioned as a possible upset for the Trojans. Stanford Trojans 3 14 7 21 Cardinal 10 7 0 6 2008 Stanford Cardinal football team Before the 2007 season, Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh, in his first year with the Cardinal, garnered attention by first stating that 2007 was going to be Carroll's last year at USC, then, during the Pac-10 media day, that USC "may be the best team in the history of college football."Chris Dufresne https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-25-sp-pacday25-story.html Trojans already off to 38-1 start at media day Los Angeles Times July 25, 2008 July 26, 2008 The Cardinal then stunned the Trojans in a major upset, 24–23, ending the Trojans' 35-game home winning streak and causing a major obstacle to the Trojans national title hopes. During the 2008 Pac-10 media day, noted that the aftermath of the Cardinal's victory over USC was "water under the bridge." Given the previous season, before the season it was named as a game to watch by ESPN.com. center|800px|thumb|The game marked the first sell out of the new Stanford Stadium since its opening in 2006; a large portion of the crowd were in support of USC.Jon Wilner http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2008/11/16/usc-45-stanford-23-the-tactics-the-turnovers-and-that-strange-final-sequence/ USC 45, Stanford 23: The tactics, the turnovers and that strange final sequence San Jose Mercury News November 16, 2008 November 18, 2008 Notre Dame Notre Dame 0 0 0 3 USC 7 17 7 7 November 29 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 8:00 p.m. EST ESPN yes 1 4:06 USC Stafon Johnson 2-yard run (David Buehler kick) USC 7-0 2 9:05 USC Joe McKnight 55-yard run (David Buehler kick) USC 14-0 2 4:38 USC Damian Williams 12-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 21-0 2 0:24 USC David Buehler 35-yard field goal USC 24-0 3 5:03 USC C.J. Gable 1-yard run (David Buehler kick) USC 31-0 4 11:45 ND Brandon Walker 41-yard field goal USC 31-3 4 7:57 USC Patrick Turner 17-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 38-3 yes 2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football teamhttp://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283340030 https://web.archive.org/web/20090204081027/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283340030 dead February 4, 2009 Notre Dame vs. USC - Game Recap - November 29, 2008 - ESPN UCLA USC 14 7 7 0 UCLA 7 0 0 0 December 6 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 4:30 p.m. EST ABC yes 1 11:07 UCLA Kahlil Bell 21-yard pass from Dominique Johnson (Kai Forbath kick) UCLA 7-0 1 3:34 USC Joe McKnight 12-yard run (David Buehler kick) Tied 7-7 1 1:09 USC Damian Williams 12-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 14-7 2 1:55 USC Stafon Johnson 2-yard run (David Buehler kick) USC 21-7 3 12:31 USC Patrick Turner 18-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 28-7 yes 2008 UCLA Bruins football team left|thumb|250px|The 2008 edition of the rivalry marked a return to the tradition of both teams playing in home jerseys. Before the season this game garnered interest in seeing how new Bruins' coach Rick Neuheisel would do in his battle to gain supremacy in Los Angeles. Joe McKnight (12-yard run), Damian Williams (12-yard pass from Mark Sanchez), Stafon Johnson (2-yard run) and Patrick Turner (18-yard pass from Sanchez) scored for the Trojans. Sanchez passed for 269 yards, McKnight ran for 99 yards and Turner caught for 81 yards. A fumble recovery turned into a pass reception touchdown by Kahlil Bell in the beginning of the game was all the scoring by the Bruins in this the latest cross-town rivalry game. UCLA Quarterback Kevin Craft completed 11 out of 28 passes for a total of 89 yards and had one pass intercepted. Going into the game, the Trojans were set to be, at worst, co-Pac-10 Champions with Oregon State. However, after the win over UCLA and Oregon State's loss the same day, the Trojans became the Pac-10 Champions for the seventh straight year and qualified for the Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 2009. Linebacker Rey Maualuga was named Pac-10 defensive player of the year. Rose Bowl versus Penn State Penn State 7 0 0 17 USC 7 24 0 7 January 1 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 5:10 p.m. EST Brent Musburger & Kirk Herbstreit ABC yes 1 4:12 USC Damian Williams 27-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 7-0 1 0:04 PSU Daryll Clark 9-yard run (Kevin Kelly kick) Tied 7-7 2 12:27 USC Mark Sanchez 6-yard run (David Buehler kick) USC 14-7 2 7:00 USC David Buehler 30-yard field goal USC 17-7 2 1:24 USC Ronald Johnson 19-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 24-7 2 0:36 USC C.J. Gable 20-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 31-7 4 13:33 PSU Derrick Williams 2-yard pass from Daryll Clark (Kevin Kelly kick) USC 31-14 4 12:02 USC Ronald Johnson 45-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (David Buehler kick) USC 38-14 4 7:22 PSU Kevin Kelly 25-yard field goal USC 38-17 4 4:24 PSU Jordan Norwood 9-yard pass from Daryll Clark (Kevin Kelly kick) USC 38-24 yes 2009 Rose Bowl 2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team thumb|right|300px|The Rose Bowl, prepared for the 95th edition of the nation's oldest bowl game. Rankings 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings 16 3 1 1 1 1 9 8 6 6 7 7 6 6 5 5 5 3 2 1 1 1 1 9 9 4 4 6 6 6 6 5 5 4-T 2 5 7 8 5 5 7 7 6 6 5 5 5 8 5 5 7 6 6 5 5 5 After the season Awards Rey Maualuga won the Bednarik Award.Rey Maualuga Wins Bednarik Award USC Trojans Athletics 2008-12-11 https://usctrojans.com/news/2008/12/11/rey_maualuga_wins_bednarik_award.aspx 2025-01-12 Rey Maualuga was the CBS Sportsline.com Defensive Player of the Year. Rey Maualuga was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Rey Maualuga was the USC Team MVP. Rey Maualuga, Taylor Mays and Brian Cushing were named First Team All-American. Fili Moala (Sporting News) was named Second Team All-American. Mark Sanchez, Kevin Ellison, and Clay Matthews III were named All-America honorable mention. Kristofer O'Dowd was named to the College Football News Sophomore All-America Second Team. Damian Williams was named College Football News Sophomore All-America honorable mention. Mark Sanchez, Kristofer O'Dowd, Rey Maualuga, Taylor Mays, Brian Cushing, Fili Moala, Kevin Ellison, Jeff Byers (rivals.com) and David Buehler were named First Team All-Pac-10. Patrick Turner, Clay Matthews III (rivals.com), and Kaluka Maiava were named Second Team All-Pac-10. Charles Brown (offensive lineman), Anthony McCoy, Josh Pinkard, Cary Harris, Kyle Moore, Joe McKnight and Damian Williams were named honorable mention All-Pac-10. NFL draft Twelve USC players were invited to the NFL Combine. Of the twelve, Josh Pinkard applied for and was granted a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA and opted to stay at USC for another season. Of the eleven players who attended the Combine, all were drafted by the end of the sixth round of the 2009 NFL draft. USC topped the total number of draftees for the second consecutive season.Gary Klein https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-27-sp-nfl-report27-story.html USC's NFL pipeline stays open on second day Los Angeles Times April 27, 2009 April 27, 2009 References External links USC Category:USC Trojans football seasons Category:Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons Category:Rose Bowl champion seasons USC Trojans football