USC-Oregon: Gary Klein gives a preview of the critical Pac-12 game [Video]

Times reporter Gary Klein talks to Cinesport's Noah Coslov about the USC-Oregon game on Saturday.

The No. 18-ranked Trojans will have their hands full on defense trying to stop the high-octane offense of the No. 4 Ducks, who average 46.7 points and 498.3 yards of offense. Running back LaMichael James leads the nation with 150 yards rushing a game.

Among the points of interest that Klein and Coslov cover:

--USC must avoid mistakes and control the ball.

--The Trojans, who have faced top-notch running backs and quarterbacks this season, will have to account for all of the Ducks' weapons on each play to try to slow down their pace.

--USC must be able to make big plays to keep drives moving.

Which is easier said than done, since only Louisiana State in the season opener has been able outplay Oregon.

--Dan Loumena

USC football: Dillon Baxter considering San Diego State and UNLV, report says

Dillon Baxter, who last month was removed from USC’s football program by Coach Lane Kiffin, is considering transferring to San Diego State or Nevada Las Vegas, according to this report.

Baxter told the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Mark Anderson that he was intrigued by the possibility of playing for UNLV and was "looking at it pretty seriously.” Baxter also said he would prefer to play wide receiver.

Baxter starred at San Diego Mission Bay High, but he was suspended twice during his freshman season at USC. He did not travel with the Trojans to their Oct. 22 game at Notre Dame this season. Kiffin announced Baxter would no longer be part of the program the next week.

Baxter played sparingly in four games this season.

More later at latimes.com/sports

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USC's Matt Barkley says Oregon is deserving of its ranking

USC's Hayes Pullard eager to face Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas

With Matt Schaub injured, Matt Leinart is a starting QB again

-- Gary Klein

Photo: Former USC running back Dillon Baxter. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

USC football: Lane Kiffin OK with Marc Tyler appearing on TMZ.com

Last summer, USC tailback Marc Tyler made remarks on camera to TMZ that were deemed inappropriate by the school and triggered a suspension by Coach Lane Kiffin.

This week, Tyler appeared again on TMZ.com in a video, saying the website helped him change, become sober and made him more conscious of what he says and does.

"I want to thank TMZ for helping me out," Tyler said in the video.

Kiffin said he had watched Tyler's latest appearance and had no problem with it.

"I thought he handled himself in a first-class manner," Kiffin said. "He's still a kid and those situations are hard.

"I thought he handled himself very well. Now, people can say, 'Why is he on?' But he's not out there looking for it .... They find him, he doesn't find them."

-- Gary Klein

USC football: Marqise Lee selected Pac-12 player of week

USC freshman receiver Marqise Lee on Monday was selected as the Pac-12 Conference special teams player of the week.

Lee returned the second-half kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown in the Trojans' 40-17 victory over Washington.

He also caught nine passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.

It was the second consecutive game that Lee scored two touchdowns.

Lee has caught 52 passes and scored eight touchdowns for the No. 18 Trojans, who play No. 4 Oregon on Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday was offensive player of the week, Colorado defensive back Travis Sandersfeld defensive player of the week.

--Gary Klein

 

Gary Klein discusses USC football [Video]

Times' columnist Gary Klein discusses USC football with CineSport's Brian Clark, looking back on Saturday's 40-17 victory over Washington and ahead to next week's showdown with Oregon.

The Trojans played their most impressive defensive game of the season against the Huskies, Klein says, which is a good thing considering the team that awaits them.

As Klein wrote for Sunday's Times:

The Trojans, who improved to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the Pac-12 Conference, head to Autzen Stadium next week to play sixth-ranked Oregon, a 53-30 winner over third-ranked Stanford on Saturday.

"It gives us a big boost," junior defensive end Nick Perry said of the Trojans' performance. "We're going to be ready to go."

That might not be enough against the Ducks.

The last time the Trojans traveled to Eugene, they were all but massacred on Halloween Night in 2009, 47-20.

USC players are confident it will be different this time, mainly because the defense appears to be much improved.

The Trojans recorded a season-high seven sacks against Washington. They also got a game-turning play from Kyle Negrete on a fake punt and a kickoff return for a touchdown by Marqise Lee.

That helped complement an offensive performance that included Curtis McNeal's career-best 148 rushing yards, but only one touchdown pass by Matt Barkley and two receptions by Robert Woods.

RELATED:

Oregon's speed is too much for Stanford, 53-30

USC's Marqise Lee continues to contribute in a big way

Bill Plaschke: Punter Kyle Negrete offers inspiration for free

USC 40, Washington 17 (final)

Lane Kiffin has evened the score with old friend Steve Sarkisian.

Sarkisian, a former assistant coach for USC, had defeated his old school twice since becoming Washington's head coach, beating mentor Pete Carroll in 2009 and Kiffin last season.

Both times, Nick Folk, a Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High graduate, was the hero with late-in-the-game field goals.

All those streaks ended Saturday -- in a big way.

USC made sure Folk wouldn't be a factor, routing the Huskies at the Coliseum.

A 46-yard field goal by Folk early in the second quarter was among Washington's few highlights.

The Huskies fell to 6-4 overall, 4-3 in Pac-12 Conference play.

USC improved to 8-2 overall, 5-2 in the conference.

Kiffin can thank father Monte's defense for a big assist.

The Trojans held Washington's powerful running attack to 46 yards in 24 carries. Chris Polk, one of the top running backs in the Pac-12, had 36 yards in nine carries.

USC also sacked Husky quarterbacks Keith Price and Nick Montana -- both also local products -- seven times.

Polk finished with exactly one more rushing yard that USC punter Kyle Negrete, who broke off an impressive run on a fake punt in the first half.

USC ran for 252 yards with Curtis McNeal leading the way by gaining 148 yards and a touchdown in 18 carries.

Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley completed 18 of 28 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown.

Receiver Robert Woods was unusally quiet, with two catches for five yards. But freshman Marqise Lee picked up the slack, catching nine passes for 74 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown.

RELATED:

USC vs. Washington photos

--Mike Hiserman

USC 40, Washington 10 (14:57 left in the fourth quarter)

Andre Heidari kicked a 30-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to push USC's lead to 30 points.

USC vs. Washington: Live updates from the game today at the Coliseum

USC 37, Washington 10 (12:45 left in third quarter)

It might not turn out to be a shootout, but the second half has started that way.

USC tailback Curtis McNeal answered Washington's quick score with one of his own.

The junior broke off the left side and ran 79 yards for a touchdown. Washington safety Will Shamburger appeared to have McNeal in his grasp at the 20-yard line, but McNeal slipped through his grip to complete the scoring play.

McNeal has rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown in 15 carries.

USC 30, Washington 10 (13:36 in the third quarter)

Looks like the rout. . . .

Wait a minute.

USC's Marqise Lee returned the second-half kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown.

The freshman receiver looked like he might be stopped when he ran into a pack in the middle of the field, but he broke toward the right sideline and then outran the Huskies to the end zone.

But Washington came right back, Keith Price connecting with receiver Kevin Smith on a 50-yard pass play to set up Chris Polk's one-yard touchdown run. 

USC 23, Washington 3 (halftime)

USC's defense has been impressive in the first 30 minutes at the Coliseum.

The Trojans, led by end Nick Perry, have limited Washington to 91 yards.

Perry has two of the Trojans' four sacks and has been a force against the run.

USC defeats Cal State Northridge, 66-59, in season opener

Dewayne Dedmon had a successful debut for USC as the highly-touted sophomore forward finished with 16 points and eight rebounds to lead the Trojans to a 66-59 victory over Cal State Northridge in the season opener for both teams on Friday at the Galen Center.

Trojans Coach Kevin O'Neill has called the 7-foot Dedmon, who didn't begin playing organized basketball until he was a senior in high school, a future NBA lottery draft pick.
 
Dedmon played only 25 minutes against the Matadors because of foul trouble and cramping in his legs, but his dunk with 3:17 left gave the Trojans a three-point lead that they would not relinquish.

Transfer Aaron Fuller had 16 points and nine rebounds in his USC debut while Maurice Jones added 16 points, making 12 of 15 free throws.

Jones made only two of 13 shots from the field, missing all seven of his three-point attempts. USC did not make a long-range shot in 15 tries.

Northridge trailed by eight points at halftime before pulling into a 54-52 lead with 4:13 left in the second half. Stephan Hicks led the Matadors with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Allan Guei and Vinnie McGhee each had 14 points.

--Dan Loumena

Wire services contributed to this report.

USC basketball: Trojans lead Northridge at half, 29-21; Dedmon has 8 points

Dewayne Dedmon won the opening tip in his debut for USC on Friday night against Cal State Northridge.

On the first missed shot on the defensive end, the 7-foot sophomore touted by USC Coach Kevin O'Neill as a future NBA lottery pick, snatched the rebound with two hands.  

And with 18:25 in the first half, Dedmon caught a no-look pass from a driving Maurice Jones on the left side of the basket, and Dedmon came up on the other side and dunked it strong with his right hand.

Then he took that right hand, balled it into a fist, beat his chest three times with it and roared.

Like that, Dedmon had matched his career-high in points scored for all of high school.

Yes, he only scored two points in high school -- all in his senior year, which is the first year he began playing organized basketball. His is a remarkable story that was featured in The Times. 

In the first half, which USC finished with a 29-21 lead, Dedmon had eight points, making four of five shots from the field while grabbing four rebounds.

He checked out of the game with 8:20 before halftime after picking up his second foul and did not return.

But before that, he scored six consecutive points during one stretch -- hitting three short-range jumpers -- and after a rebound the USC student section was chanting, "Ded-mon, Ded-mon, Ded-mon."

Aside from Dedmon, USC has looked young. It led 14-4 before the Matadors scored six unanswered points. USC responded with a 9-0 run, and the two teams exchanged more runs before the buzzer sounded.

USC is shooting 10 of 24 (41.7%) from the field while Northridge is shooting only four of 29 (13.8%). Junior forward Aaron Fuller is the leading scorer for USC with nine points.

For Northridge, Vinnie McGhee and Stephan Hicks each have six points. 

-- Baxter Holmes

Photo: Dewayne Dedmon. Credit: USC

Gary Klein discusses the game between USC and Washington

 

Times USC reporter Gary Klein discusses what he thinks will happen in this weekend's showdown between the Trojans and the Washington Huskies.

The Trojans will be trying to stop Washington running back Chris Polk, who could have been a Trojan. As Klein wrote earlier this week:

"Polk running back made a verbal commitment to USC while playing at Redlands East Valley High, but he changed his mind and signed instead with the Huskies in 2008.

"Polk, a fourth-year junior, ranks second in the Pac-12 Conference and seventh nationally in rushing going into Saturday's game against No. 21 USC at the Coliseum.

"He's probably the best back we've faced so far," USC safety T.J. McDonald said Wednesday. "He can catch the ball and he can also run with it between the tackles.

"He's a big kid so we have to make sure we tackle him. We don't want to give him many second chances."

"Or, as Coach Lane Kiffin said, "It's not real complicated: Tackle the guy really well and don't let him keep falling forward."

"The 5-foot-11, 222-pound Polk has rushed for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He and Napoleon Kaufman, who played in 1992-94, are the only Huskies running backs to amass more than 1,000 yards rushing three times.

"Washington Coach Steve Sarkisian recruited Polk to USC when he was an assistant on the Trojans staff, but Polk opted to play for Tyrone Willingham in Seattle.

--Houston Mitchell

 

USC signs two, including guard rated No. 1 junior-college player

On Wednesdsay, the first day of the fall signing period, the USC men's basketball team received letters of intent for its 2012 signing class from two players, one of whom has been rated the top junior-college player in the nation.

Guard J.T. Terrell, a Wake Forest transfer who is playing at Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Wash., verbally committed to USC last month and is rated the No. 1 junior-college player in the country by Swanny's Roundball Review. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining beginning in 2012-13.

At Wake Forest in 2010-11, the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Terrell played in all 32 games as a freshman and was second on the team in scoring (11.1 points per game). Terrell scored in double figures in 16 games, including three games of at least 20 points. His 32 points Nov. 11 against Iowa, a game in which he made seven of 11 three-point shots, were a season high for an Atlantic Coast Conference freshman. 

Terrell will be reunited with another Wake Forest player who transferred to USC, Ari Stewart. Both will be eligible next season.

"He's an NBA talent," Peninsula Coach Lance Von Vogt said of Terrell. He added that Terrell scored 29 points in an exhibition game this weekend.

In a statement, USC Coach Kevin O'Neill said, "J.T. is a dynamic scorer that will be able to impact our team offensively next year. He comes in with the experience of playing in the ACC, which will allow him to have an immediate impact in the conference. He's an exceptional athlete that can score in a number of ways. He's as talented a perimeter player as I've coached in college."

USC basketball: Dewayne Dedmon given a clean bill of health

USC 7-foot sophomore center Dewayne Dedmon broke his right hand Oct. 11, but it has healed properly and he has been given a clean bill of health, team athletic trainer David Borchardt said Wednesday.

X-rays were performed Tuesday night and showed that his hand had healed.

Borchardt said Dedmon is pain-free and practiced without a soft splint in practice Wednesday, the first time he practiced without a cast, brace or splint of any kind since his injury.

USC Coach Kevin O'Neill had already said Dedmon would play in the Trojans' season opener Friday against Cal State Northridge, but it appears Dedmon's injury won't be a factor as he makes his USC debut.

Dedmon, whose improbable journey to USC was chronicled in The Times on Wednesday, improved his left-hand skills mightily while his right hand was in a cast.

-- Baxter Holmes

Pac-12 basketball: Who is the conference favorite?

A group of reporters who cover Pacific 12 Conference schools, including The Times' UCLA beat writer Ben Bolch, recently gathered for a virtual roundtable to discuss pertinent issues as the college basketball season opens this week:

True or false: The Pac-12 is destined for a disappointing season after losing so much talent to the NBA.

Bolch: True. It's another hodgepodge of mediocrity, with no team poised to earn the national spotlight for a third consecutive season. Even the conference favorites have severe flaws that likely will be exposed during the NCAA Tournament. UCLA and coach Ben Howland have shaky wing players. Cal has a nice starting five but questionable depth. Arizona? Two words: Seattle Pacific.

Percy Allen, Seattle Times: False. I think 2010, when the Pac-10 sent two teams to the NCAA Tournament, was an aberration and won't occur again any time soon. Last season four conference teams made the 68-team tournament. I predict five will receive invitations in March, although four is a safer bet.

Bob Clark, The (Eugene, Ore.) Register-Guard: I'm saying false, on the basis that not much is expected, so with the bar set low, there's a chance for the league to exceed expectations.

Jeff Faraudo, Contra Costa Times: False. I think the league has lots of intrigue this season, partly because traditional powers UCLA, Arizona and Washington saw players defect to the pros. Cal has great experience, Oregon is coming on and there is plenty of young talent. I predict a great conference race, where no team avoids losing at least two or three times.

Doug Haller, Arizona Republic: False. There may not be a Final Four contender among the bunch, but 1-through-8 this conference should be pretty competitive. Outside of the big four, Oregon, Stanford and Oregon State are poised to make an upper-division push, and I wouldn't be surprised if Kevin O'Neill finds a way to keep USC relevant, even without injured point guard Jio Fontan.

Who's the conference favorite?

 

USC football: Walk-on defensive back James Harbin arrested

James Harbin, a senior walk-on defensive back for USC, was arrested during the weekend on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery.

Harbin, 22, was arrested Saturday at 10:20 p.m. by Southwest Division officers of the Los Angeles Police Department and was booked early Sunday morning, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department website. He was released Sunday night after posting bond for $20,000 bail, the website said.

Harbin, who was in for a few plays at the end of USC’s 42-17 victory over Colorado on Friday, was absent from Monday’s morning workout. USC Coach Lane Kiffin said he spoke with Harbin earlier in the day.

“An issue came up this weekend with him -- we’re still looking into it and I don’t have all the information right now,” Kiffin said. “I just told him, ‘We’re just trying to collect information. In the meantime, concentrate on school.’”

Harbin, who played at Harbor City Narbonne High and Los Angeles Southwest College, could not be reached for comment. He is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 1.

More later at latimes.com/sports.

ALSO:

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-- Gary Klein

Steve Sarkisian would draft Matt Barkley ahead of Andrew Luck

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is the presumed No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

But he apparently wouldn't be if Steve Sarkisian was an NFL coach.

"If I’m an NFL head coach, right now, I’d pick Matt Barkley ahead of Andrew Luck," Sarkisian said. "I think he’s playing at that high of a level."

Barkley passed for a USC record six touchdowns in Friday's 42-17 victory over Colorado. He has passed for 28 touchdowns, with six interceptions,  this season.

Luck has passed for 26 touchdowns, with five interceptions. He completed 16 of 21 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns in Stanford's 65-21 victory over Washington on Oct. 22.

More later at latimes.com/sports

-- Gary Klein

 

 

USC 42, Colorado 17 (final)

A record-setting night in Boulder, Colo., for USC quarterback Matt Barkley.

Good news or bad news for the Trojans?

Barkley passed for a school single-game record six touchdowns -- and probably took a few more steps toward leaving USC after this season for the NFL.

So the Trojans should enjoy this one while they can.

Barkley completed 25 of 39 passes for 318 yards as USC improved to 7-2 overall, 4-2 in Pacific 12 Conference play.

Colorado, in its first season in the Pac-12, fell to 1-9, 0-6.

USC had 561 yards in total offense with receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee both having huge games and the Trojans spreading the ball around between three tailbacks.

Woods had nine catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Lee had nine receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

Freshman Amir Carlisle led the USC rushing attack with 90 yards in 10 carries. He also caught two passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Starter Curtis McNeal had 87 yards in 10 carries and seldom-used D.J. Morgan chipped in 56 yards in nine carries.

Tyler Hansen completed 26 of 40 passes for 326 yards to lead Colorado. He threw for two touchdowns -- both to Toney Clemons, who had five catches for 112 yards.

USC blocked two field goals, one by Rhett Ellison and the other by Randall Telfer.

RELATED:

USC vs. Colorado photos

USC 42, Colorado 17 (7:06 left in fourth quarter)

Several USC quarterbacks had thrown for five touchdowns in a game.

But only one has passed for six -- Matt Barkley.

USC vs. Colorado: Live updates from the game tonight

USC safety T.J. McDonald cannot play in the first half against Colorado because of a Pacific 12 Conference suspension for an illegal hit against Stanford.

When the Trojans came onto the field for pregame warmups, McDonald was not in uniform.

Apparently, he will dress in the second quarter, warm-up at halftime and play in the second half.

Folsom Field holds 53,613 but it looks like the Friday night game, which might be good for television, is not a popular draw.

Of course, Colorado is 1-8.

--Gary Klein

Photo: USC safety T.J. McDonald (7) tries to break up a pass to Utah receiver DeVonte Christopher during a nonconference game earlier this season at the Coliseum. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

USC football: Curtis McNeal beats obstacles to start at tailback

Curtis McNeal waited nearly four years for the opportunity to start at tailback for USC, and he finally gets his chance Friday night against Colorado.

McNeal was in the running to start the opener against Minnesota because Marc Tyler was suspended for a series of off-the-field incidents. That honor, however, went to redshirt freshman D.J. Morgan.

But McNeal has run strong in the last three games against California, Notre Dame and Stanford. With Tyler sidelined because of a shoulder injury, McNeal will be the starter.

McNeal's journey from a Los Angeles housing project to USC was chronicled in this report from September.

ALSO:

Oilers' Ryan Smith is home again, naturally

Suspension increases for Red Bulls' Rafael Marquez

Bubba Smith memorabilia up for auction

-- Gary Klein

Photo: USC running back Curtis McNeal carries the ball during the Trojans' victory over Minnesota in September. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Carson Palmer talks to Shannon Sharpe for CBS

Former USC quarterback Carson Palmer will be featured on the CBS show "The NFL Today" on Sunday and will be interviewed by Shannon Sharpe.

Palmer is getting ready for his second game as a quarterback of the Oakland Raiders, who play the Denver Broncos in a game that will feature two former star college quarterbacks who are trying to silence critics (Tim Tebow, remember him?).

The show begins at 9 a.m. PDT.

After spending eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Palmer said he would retire rather than play for the team this year and Palmer stayed retired until Oct. 18, when he was traded to the Raiders. After only five days with the Raiders, he made his debut in the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs and had three passes intercepted.

But Oakland did not have a game in Week 8 and now Palmer has had two weeks to get ready for what is expected to be his first Raiders start Sunday. The Raiders are 4-3 and tied with Kansas City and San Diego for the AFC West division lead. 

-- Diane Pucin

USC football: Curtis McNeal will start at tailback

Curtis McNeal will start at tailback for USC on Friday against Colorado regardless of whether senior Marc Tyler is cleared to play, Coach Lane Kiffin said Wednesday.

McNeal, a junior who will be making his first start, rushed for a career-best 145 yards and two touchdowns in 20 carries against Stanford before fumbling on the final play of the 56-48 triple-overtime defeat at the Coliseum.

McNeal scored on runs of 61 and 25 yards.

The former Venice High standout rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown in 17 carries against California and had 118 yards in 24 carries against Notre Dame.

Tyler suffered a dislocated left shoulder against Cal. He aggravated the injury on his first carry against Stanford and has not practiced this week.

More later at latimes.com/sports

-- Gary Klein