USC Football On Road Again, This Time At Washington

Trojans playing away from home for fifth time in first seven games of 2005.

It's on the road again for top-ranked, 2-time defending national champion USC, as the Trojans play away from home for the fifth time in their first 7 games, this time at Washington. A win by Troy--which has won a Pac-10 record 28 consecutive overall games and a school-record 13 straight road games--would equal the USC record for consecutive Pac-10 victories at 19. But the Trojans are just .500 in their games in Seattle. However, the Huskies have never beaten a No. 1 team in 7 tries, including 4 losses to USC. The Trojans escaped with a thrilling last-second win at Notre Dame this past weekend. The Trojan offense--in the national top 4 in every statistical category, including No. 1 in total offense and No. 2 in scoring--remains on pace to have the NCAA's first-ever unit with a 3,000-yard passer, a pair of 1,000-yard runners and a pair of 1,000-yard receivers. Heisman Trophy QB Matt Leinart is 2 TD passes away from tying the Pac-10 career mark. Heisman finalist TB Reggie Bush, who is playing like a Heisman winner, leads the nation in all-purpose running and has ripped off 5 straight 100-yard rushing games. Fellow TB LenDale White, the power in the "Thunder and Lightning" backfield, can be found among the nation's top rushers. WRs Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith remain among the NCAA stat receiving leaders. USC's veteran offensive line has done an outstanding job all season helping the offense function. Troy's defense, coordinated by head coach Pete Carroll, is led by the likes of S Darnell Bing, LBs Oscar Lua and Keith Rivers and DEs Lawrence Jackson and Frostee Rucker. Washington has a new coach in Tyrone Willingham, but he's a familiar face to USC after stints at Stanford and Notre Dame (going 3-7 against the Trojans). The Huskies, playing their only home game in October, have struggled lately and have lost their last 11 Pac-10 games, including at Oregon last Saturday. QB Isaiah Stanback, equally dangerous passing or running (he has improved greatly from his first career start came last year at USC), guides the UW offense, while LB Joe Lobendahn is the defensive leader. The game will be shown live regionally on ABC-TV.

 

should be a walk in the park

 

....., Kazantsky.

 

ABC=HDTV. I like. BTW: It's a walk.

 

Mike, that's baseball.