USC embarrassed another lackadaisical Big Ten foe

2009-09-08T11:20:42-04:00

2009-01-01T21:19:47-05:00

570

2009-01-01T21:20:00-05:00

2009-01-05T06:26:02-05:00

robois

Washington 407979

611 Westhalls...good point...However, I was not trying to "pass the buck" of responsibility. What I was trying to say was that this inappropriate behavior is learned at a young age and then reinforced (whether by encouragement or just by being overlooked) by those in a leadership position (parent, coach, administration). Old school coaches like JoePa are a dying breed. Coaches (and universities) are making millions off of these kids???s talent on the field. They want the best athletes???not the best students or best citizens. Their jobs depend on it. The bottom line is???these ???thugs??? were not created over night and they are not only on USCs football team. P.s. It???s arrogant of me to say ???don???t be fooled??????that this type of behavior is happening at other schools and at all levels of football? 3862898

2009-01-04T11:20:51-05:00

robois

Washington 407979

594 I watched part of the SD/Indy game last night and there was at least one penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. I also saw (at least once...again...I didn't see the whole game) a defensive player tackle the offensive player and then stand over him shaking his head. So, let's see...where could these USC players (and don't act like your team doesn't do simular things)...have learned that taunting and trash talk was an appropriate thing???? Oh yeah, from their "heroes" in the NFL. As an SC fan, I don't approve of that behavior...but when kids see their idols doing that trash in the NFL they think it's ok for them to do. (I coach youth football and have had to discipline kids as young as 9-10 because they were showing the same behaviors). Fines don't work. When players in the NFL act like ****...our kids pick up on that behavior. Let your play on the field speak for itself. I guess the bottom line is:...I don't approve of it...but USCs players are not the only ones doing this garbage...don't jump on this thread and pretend like your teams and their players are saints. P.s. Watch out what your child's youth coach is teaching...I was an asst. coach on a team where the head coach (who had Div. I college experience) actually encouraged kids to "talk smack." If they do it as 9-12 yr olds...it will only get worse. 3858371

2009-01-04T20:43:10-05:00

WestHalls'68

Erie 604483

I watched part of the SD/Indy game last night and there was at least one penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. I also saw (at least once...again...I didn't see the whole game) a defensive player tackle the offensive player and then stand over him shaking his head. So, let's see...where could these USC players (and don't act like your team doesn't do simular things)...have learned that taunting and trash talk was an appropriate thing???? Oh yeah, from their "heroes" in the NFL. As an SC fan, I don't approve of that behavior...but when kids see their idols doing that trash in the NFL they think it's ok for them to do. (I coach youth football and have had to discipline kids as young as 9-10 because they were showing the same behaviors). Fines don't work. When players in the NFL act like ****...our kids pick up on that behavior. Let your play on the field speak for itself. I guess the bottom line is:...I don't approve of it...but USCs players are not the only ones doing this garbage...don't jump on this thread and pretend like your teams and their players are saints.P.s. Watch out what your child's youth coach is teaching...I was an asst. coach on a team where the head coach (who had Div. I college experience) actually encouraged kids to "talk smack." If they do it as 9-12 yr olds...it will only get worse.

610 Regarding these remarks from Robois: ??? . . . don't act like your team doesn't do similar things??? and ???. . . don't jump on this thread and pretend like your teams and their players are saints.??? Despite what Robois arrogantly demands, I WILL "jump on this thread" and say whatever I want at any time. Period. And he can bank on it that I stand by every word in my comment # 593. Obviously, there are players on all teams that exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct. Saints are in heaven. Football is a violent sport that demands players to have a passionate, intense, competitive spirit. The majority of comments here show that both USC and PSU fans understand the difference between such spirit and blatantly obvious "look at me", "in your face", juvenile, taunting behavior. (see calimon???s comment # 608). Blaming NFL players is simply passing the buck of responsibility. Everyone also clearly knows what Joe Paterno does and does not condone. Disappointingly, it was Pete Carroll who joked after the game that it would have been "awesome" had his team "[gotten] a penalty called on us for having too much fun." Pete should be reminded that college football is governed by the NCAA which penalizes excessive celebrations with a 15 yard penalty. NCAA Football Rule 9-2, Article 1(a)(1)(d) prohibits "Any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention upon himself (or themselves). The fact that such a penalty could have been called against USC on at least three occasions is beside the point. The fact that a PSU WR and a USC Safety could have suffered a life threatening head or neck injury as a result of the USC players helmet to helmet contact is also sadly beside the point. Win or lose, the true athlete (NFL, college, youth) is able to look in the mirror and say "I may have won, I may have lost, but I left everything on the field of play and I treated the game and my opponent with the utmost respect." That's the only point. Period. Or as Robois wisely said, ???let your play on the field speak for itself.??? 3861571

2009-01-04T20:24:13-05:00

robois

Washington 407979

609 calimon....come on...take off the disguise. You are a PSU fan in USC clothing. I (as a real USC fan) don't like all the taunting and flag planting either. As a real SC fan (and not a homer), I would expect you to voice your displeasure with some of the antics displayed by SC before, during, and after the game...but half a page to do it?!?!?!? It's ok if you are a PSU, OU, Notre Dame, etc fan...just don't say, "I am/was a USC fan." P.s. Did you see RM dancing behind the female sideline reporter? What an A**. 3861376

2009-01-04T19:00:38-05:00

calimon

Irvine 651909

608 USC reminds me of the Miami team's of the 80's. Great football, ridiculous athletes, good coach, focus on football. I would guess that most USC fans would feel that this was a compliment. But USC means more to me than football. I'm sure that most college fans would love a record like PC has created at USC. Unfortunately, like those Miami teams, it seems like the price for a great record. Pride for yourself and your school. I was at the game. I am/was a USC fan. However, I saw several things that made me disgusted to be associated with the University and even further embarrassed that I had asked my Dad to join me. I sat, wearing my USC gear, just behind a group of lion fans at the ~20 yard line behind SC's bench (nice seats!!). USC won the battle, but I have a feeling that Penn State (and some other schools) have/are winning the battle. I am not a Penn State fan, but I may become one. Here are some examples: 1) Helmet shots from Hays and Matthews. One was caught, but at least three should have been. The one that got caught was horrible. I honestly couldn't believe they let him stay in the game. TV does not do it justice. Mays started from 15 out and literally waited for him to catch the ball. It was done on purpose. I read something about the receiver tuning last minute. No way. Matthew's head-to-head with Clark after the play. It wasn't called but should have been. #1 embarrassment. 2) Planting the flag in the PS end zone. Stupid. It lacked class. I wanted to take off my USC jacket after SC did it for the 2nd time at the start of the 2nd half. #2 embarrassment. 3) Choreographed dancing on the sidelines. Not only did they (about 15 USC players) display this "dance" every time a big play happened, but they would ask the Penn State fans about their performance. #3 embarrassment. 4) USC players taunting the PSU fans and band. Several times during the game, USC players would come up towards the PSU fans and taunt them - literally wanting to fight and shouting profanities. I will give credit to a few SC fans that defended the folks from Pa. This was the time in which I asked my Dad if he wanted to get a beer. #4 embarrassment. There are more, but I will stop now. Fact is, this is not a college team. This is a pro-team with a College title. Unfortunately, I expect more class from College than pro, don't you? I'm no "Joe Pa" lover, but from what I hear, he would have thrown out anyone you did any of the above. I would respect that. In one aspect, this is what you get from the types of guys you recruit to be the absolute best. You get folks that don't graduate (less than 55%), you get folks that lack class, you get guys who you would be ashamed to introduce to your Dad. If USC = Football, this team is for you...Fight On! If USC = USC, then you may want to transfer to Stanford...or better yet Penn State. 3861043

2009-01-01T22:36:24-05:00

blenkinsopp11

San Diego 480472

39 I agree with most of these posts on here. Penn St. acted like MEN and played their hearts out. They may have lost but they took it to the vaunted USC defense in the second half and lost like MEN. I am an Auburn fan and we all know about the SEC vs Big 11 rivalry but they have many classy teams and you would never see Penn St. act as classless as USC did. USC may have won the Rose Bowl, congratulations, but every one in the country thinks you are a bunch of punks. O yeah, congratulations on that too. War Damn Eagle 3836463

2009-01-04T14:43:43-05:00

Troyspeak,USC

No City 599992

I agree with most of these posts on here. Penn St. acted like MEN and played their hearts out. They may have lost but they took it to the vaunted USC defense in the second half and lost like MEN. I am an Auburn fan and we all know about the SEC vs Big 11 rivalry but they have many classy teams and you would never see Penn St. act as classless as USC did. USC may have won the Rose Bowl, congratulations, but every one in the country thinks you are a bunch of punks. O yeah, congratulations on that too.War Damn Eagle

607 You don't have to get angry just because San Diego State stunk up the city. Oh, REAL MEN, ala Joe Pa, don't make excuses. They accept defeat with self-respect without trashing others, whether they deserve or not. 3859508

2009-01-01T22:32:45-05:00

ItsOnlyAGamePeople

Millersburg 649411

Did this guy really just write an article complaining about a team not starting a fight against a bunch of classless immigrants?

31 Yes, I think he did. (Though I believe Maualuga is a U.S. citizen.) Not surprisingly, the author WENT to USC. Guess "class" is not a concept they teach much west of the Rockies. I didn't know any of these details before I read this posting, and the USC team's behavior, if accurately described, is sickening. I'm prouder than ever of how PSU's players conducted themselves--it's obvious to me who the real men on the field were, whoever actually won an ultimately meaningless football game. And Markazi? Get a clue. 3836421

2009-01-04T14:29:32-05:00

Troyspeak,USC

No City 599992

Yes, I think he did. (Though I believe Maualuga is a U.S. citizen.)Not surprisingly, the author WENT to USC. Guess "class" is not a concept they teach much west of the Rockies. I didn't know any of these details before I read this posting, and the USC team's behavior, if accurately described, is sickening. I'm prouder than ever of how PSU's players conducted themselves--it's obvious to me who the real men on the field were, whoever actually won an ultimately meaningless football game.And Markazi? Get a clue.

606 If Penn State had wiped up the Rose Bowl turf against USC, I doubt that all the "class" virtues would be an issue. But, unlike Joe Paterno, who gave the Trojans credit where credit is due, all of the murmuring is really a clear demonstration of being bad losers and distinct dislike of "sour grapes." 3859446

2009-01-01T22:15:39-05:00

Klumpis

Westerville 649426

15 Here we go again with the Big-10 bashing? Aside from USC, what other PAC-10 team is even worth mentioning right now? And why is it inconsequential to lose to a lesser opponent like USC did vs Oregon State. Arash Markazi skims right over that loss like it didn't exist. The Trojans had to settle for the Rose Bowl again because they can't demonstrate the championship ability to maintain their attention span against a sorry PAC-10 conference schedule. Period. --So are they really worthy to be in the National title game? Seriously? 3836245

2009-01-04T14:02:05-05:00

Troyspeak,USC

No City 599992

Here we go again with the Big-10 bashing? Aside from USC, what other PAC-10 team is even worth mentioning right now? And why is it inconsequential to lose to a lesser opponent like USC did vs Oregon State. Arash Markazi skims right over that loss like it didn't exist.The Trojans had to settle for the Rose Bowl again because they can't demonstrate the championship ability to maintain their attention span against a sorry PAC-10 conference schedule. Period. --So are they really worthy to be in the National title game? Seriously?

605 Please note that the Pac-10 leads all conferences in Bowl Games with a 5-0 record. The Big-10 is next to last with a 1-5 record (.167) There must be some validity to the fact that USC beat both the number one and number two teams from the Big-10. 3859234

2009-01-01T22:13:07-05:00

Dennison1222

Reading 649409

14 This article is BS...what everyone forgets to mention is that this is a road game for penn state and a home game for usc. on a truly neutral field the results would be different. bfd that they win the rose bowl when they have that kind of home field advantage. penn state showed they can hold their own against usc in the second half of this game. also, with less then 5 minutes left penn state has possession being down 2 touchdowns, still in the game, wasn't exactly a blowout! 3836261

2009-01-04T13:44:04-05:00

Troyspeak,USC

No City 599992

This article is BS...what everyone forgets to mention is that this is a road game for penn state and a home game for usc. on a truly neutral field the results would be different. bfd that they win the rose bowl when they have that kind of home field advantage. penn state showed they can hold their own against usc in the second half of this game. also, with less then 5 minutes left penn state has possession being down 2 touchdowns, still in the game, wasn't exactly a blowout!

604 The blowout had already happened in the first half 31-7. Case closed. 3859148

2009-01-01T22:16:33-05:00

111

Sunshine Boy

Tallahassee 366547

16 Even with USC's loss to Oregon State, I don't understand why Florida is playing in the BCS Bowl instead of SC. Florida was the only one of the seven major one-loss teams that lost at home and they lost to a team (Ole Miss) that finished the regular season with the same record as Oregon State against far weaker competition. Oregon State's out-of-conference opponents -- Penn State, Utah, and Hawaii -- were quite a bit better than the Rebels' "powerhouse" OOC schedule -- Samford, Louisiana-Monroe, Memphis, and Wake Forest (to whom they lost). Moreover, Florida's regular season opponents are only 4-3 in bowl competition, while USC's are 5-0. Also, only one of these five USC opponents (Oregon State) scored more points against SC than Florida gave up against The Citadel!!!! 3836248

2009-01-04T13:40:24-05:00

Troyspeak,USC

No City 599992

Even with USC's loss to Oregon State, I don't understand why Florida is playing in the BCS Bowl instead of SC. Florida was the only one of the seven major one-loss teams that lost at home and they lost to a team (Ole Miss) that finished the regular season with the same record as Oregon State against far weaker competition. Oregon State's out-of-conference opponents -- Penn State, Utah, and Hawaii -- were quite a bit better than the Rebels' "powerhouse" OOC schedule -- Samford, Louisiana-Monroe, Memphis, and Wake Forest (to whom they lost). Moreover, Florida's regular season opponents are only 4-3 in bowl competition, while USC's are 5-0. Also, only one of these five USC opponents (Oregon State) scored more points against SC than Florida gave up against The Citadel!!!!

603 Please, take note of this BCS, SEC, and Big 12 proponents..... 3859146

2009-01-04T13:33:12-05:00

Troyspeak,USC

No City 599992

602 Okay Crybaby, we know where your ego's coming from. Come out into the sunshine. 3859181

570

<div class="photo_container image_center"> <div class="photo"><img src="http://img.fannation.com/upload/si_blog_post_images/t1_sanchez11.jpg" alt="T1_sanchez11" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: left;">USC quarterback Mark Sanchez had his way with the Penn State secondary, throwing four touchdown passes.<br />AP</div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div> </div> <p>PASADENA, Calif. -- Penn State didn't want any of USC. That much was apparent before the game, as the Trojans ran onto the field and running back <strong>Marc Tyler</strong> planted USC's flag in the Penn State end zone while other USC players began taunting Penn State's white clad fans. <br /><br />Considering Penn State's players trailed USC's by mere feet, I figured there might be an altercation or at the very least one of  the Nittany Lions would remove the USC flag. They never did. They looked at it, walked around it and never touched it. It would be reminiscent of Penn State's defensive strategy against <strong>Damian Williams</strong> and USC's other receivers, which finished the game with over 400 yards. <br /><br />After the Trojans essentially put the game away by taking a 31-7 lead in the second quarter (entering the game, USC had given up only 22 total points in the second half this season), Trojan players jumped up and down near Penn State's end zone, before <strong>Rey Maualuga</strong> ran and kicked the end zone a few times as if he were sweeping up trash. He later planted the USC flag in Penn State's end zone before the second half. On both occasions, Penn State players simply stood and watched. Never once showing an ounce of fire or pride against a team clearly disrespecting them.<br /><br />At least Notre Dame and UCLA players fought back and had to be restrained by officials and coaches when USC taunted them in a similar fashion. Sure, it might not have helped them on the final scoreboard, but at least they stood up for themselves and their fans. <br /><br />Penn State's lackadaisical reaction to being disrespected and insulted was an extension of the way the Nittany Lions played throughout the Rose Bowl and really the way the Big Ten has played in BCS games the past three years (0-5 since 2006). <br /><br />All the talk about the disparity between USC and the Big Ten teams it has beaten up in the recent past -- including Ohio State this year -- was quickly reaffirmed. Penn State hadn't given up more than 24 points all year and could do nothing as USC rolled up 31 first-half points. USC's offense, which had struggled for much of the year, looked like it did in blowouts of Virginia and Ohio State to start the season, easily scoring more first-half points than in any of its previous 33 Rose Bowl appearances.  <br /><br /><strong>Mark Sanchez</strong> and Damian Williams, who hemmed and hawed this week about leaving early for the NFL, looked like first-day draft picks, picking apart Penn State's secondary with ease. It was the best game both had this year, as Williams had 127 yards and a touchdown before halftime and Sanchez became only the third player in Rose Bowl history to throw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns.      <br /><br />The biggest misconceptions about this year's Rose Bowl coming into the game was that the Trojans would come out flat since they were disappointed about playing in their fourth straight Rose Bowl (and fifth in the last six years) after having their sights set on the BCS National Championship Game in Miami. <br /><br />While it's true USC wasn't initially thrilled to be in the Rose Bowl, the fact is the Trojans have always played well in "The Grandaddy of The All" under <strong>Pete Carroll </strong>(4-1 in the game, with the lone loss coming to Texas in one of the greatest college football games ever) and have a 28-1 nonconference record since 2003. They've beaten their last six Big 10 opponents by an average margin of three touchdowns.  <br /><br />There was no reason to think this wouldn't be the rout that it was. The Trojans' biggest weakness since 2005 hasn't been underperforming in big games, but rather overlooking weaker conference opponents. Think about it: If USC had beaten UCLA (2006), Stanford (2007) and Oregon State (2008) -- all unranked Pac-10 teams that were double-digit underdogs against USC -- they would have been playing in the past five national championship games. Playing in big games against ranked teams has never been an issue for USC, it's those other pesky games that have tripped them up. This year it was also the lack of playing in enough big games that cost them a chance to play fellow one-loss teams Oklahoma or Florida in the national title game. <br /><br />So USC will have to "settle" for another Rose Bowl rout of a Big Ten team and wonder what if. What if their offense went up against Oklahoma's defense? What if their defense went up against Florida's offense? It's a nagging question they will continue to ask as long as they continue to slip up against unranked conference teams. What if?</p> 37061 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/396/7/thumb/markazi_arash.jpg 118 CA

Arash Markazi

Los Angeles 3987