Reggie Bush will be a key in the Trojans' running game this season. "It's a work ethic we must have in workouts, in practices and in games. 1 Usc (100) 8:00 pm EST, Junior QB passes for career-high 400 yards, https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200412040064, Sugar Bowl leaves Auburn with bitter taste, College Football: USC ends doubts as to who's No. 2004 USC Trojans football team - Wikipedia Matt Leinart, Jr. Michael McDonald, Rs. It's no wonder, then, that the Trojans likely will enter the 2004 campaign as a pre-season favorite to repeat as national champs. Jr., OT Alatini Malu, So., OG Fred Matua, So., OG Chilo Rachal, In. Then, enrolling in the fall is J.C. All-American Scott Ware (Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, Calif.), who is a junior, and prep All-American Josh Pinkard (Hueneme High in Oxnard, Calif.), who is a freshman. Fr., FB David Kirtman, Jr., FB Desmond Reed, Rs. There's a lot of leadership in this group. So he sought to have his collegiate eligibility restored (as of mid-July, he was awaiting word from the NCAA). The defense features 6 starters from a year ago: a pair of returning All-Pac-10ers in end-tackle Shaun Cody and tackle Mike Patterson (both are 2-year starters who combined for 81 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and 3 blocked field goals in 2003), always-around-the-ball linebacker Matt Grootegoed (a 3-year starter), 2003 Freshman All-American Darnell Bing and fellow safety Jason Leach (his 88 tackles were second on USC in 2003), and 2003 USC tackle leader Lofa Tatupu (98 stops) at middle linebacker. Fr., CB Justin Wyatt, Jr., CB. The NCAA also forced USC to permanently disassociate itself from Bush. [45], The NCAA found that Bush had received gifts from sports agents Lloyd Lake and Michael Michaels from at least December 2004 in violation of NCAA rules of amateurism. "The past 2 years, we were really good on defense and we played just how we drew it up," said Carroll, the team's defensive coordinator. KICKERS/PUNTERS/SNAPPERS Will Collins, Rs. They comprise what many are saying is the school's second consecutive No. QUARTERBACKS John David Booty, So. USC's punter (All-American Tom Malone, whose 49.0 average in 2003 was a school record) and placekicker (Ryan Killeen, whose 65 PATs last year set a Pac-10 record and 19 field goals tied the USC mark) are back, as well as USC's top kick returner (Bush) and punt returner (wide receiver Greig Carlson) from 2003. "Darnell Bing is headed for greatness and Jason Leach does such a solid job back there," said Carroll. He also had stops as wide receivers coach at Richmond (2004) and Western . The 2004 AP title, however, remains in place. Orgeron had two stints with the Trojans. [6] After an energetic and emotional halftime in the locker room, the Trojan defense shut down the Cardinal while the offense put together the drives that gave the Trojans the lead and the victory. Opponents averaged just 1.8 yards per carry against the Trojans last fall, a school record and 2003 national low. And USC's rushing offense (155.9), though not nationally ranked, was its best since 1991. [2] The team captains were Shaun Cody, Matt Grootegoed and Matt Leinart.[3]. [6] It was Willingham's third consecutive 31-point loss to USC in three seasons at Notre Dame; the Irish fired him the following Tuesday. Fr., C John Drake, Sr., OG Travis Draper, Fr., OG Winston Justice, Jr., OT Ryan Kalil, So, C John Lanza, So, OG Taitusi Lutui, In. Twitter. I'm really looking forward to watching the competition there and seeing how it shakes out. We understand that we'll always see our opponents at their best. "We know we can expect a high level of play out of our experienced returning players. Offensively, Troy has scored at least 20 points in the past 26 outings, with stretches of 11 consecutive 30-point games and 7 straight 40-point performances, and last year scored a Pac-10 record 534 points. "I am very excited to formally announce our coaching staff," said Riley. And we have the potential to be explosive in the return game.". The USC football coaching staff has been rounded out by Lincoln Riley with the hire of Josh Henson as offensive line coach late Sunday night. It was the Trojans' first undisputed national championship since 1972, and the second time a team had gone wire-to-wire, with the Trojans holding the number 1 spot in the polls all season. "We use our fullbacks in a variety of roles, not only as blockers and runners but as pass catchers," said Carroll. All rights reserved. USC belongs at the top of college football, and this coaching staff is going to be instrumental in making that happen. The big disappointment is Donte Williams is not only coaching the cornerbacks, he got a fake title: Defensive passing game coordinator. [1], Quarterback Matt Leinart won the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding collegiate football player in the U.S. His teammate, running back Reggie Bush, finished fifth in Heisman voting, winning the following year. A mix of players with experience and youth will contend for both vacant end jobs: junior Frostee Rucker (26 tac, 4 for loss, 1.5 sack, 1 int, 1 dfl, 1 FF, 2 FR in 2003), who started 5 games last year when Nazel was injured, and redshirt freshmen Chris Barrett, Lawrence Jackson and Alex Morrow. Cody's move to end means promising sophomore Manuel Wright (8 tac, 2 for loss, 1 sack, 3 dfl in 2003) will assume his tackle spot. The team was coached by Pete Carroll in his fourth year with the Trojans, and played their home games in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans return 15 starters (7 on offense, 6 on defense, plus both kickers) from last year's record-setting team that won its last 9 games en route to a 12-1 overall mark. Football National Champions: 1981 Clemson, 2004 USC, 2010 Auburn Key losses from the offense are wide receiver Keary Colbert, a 4-year starter who set the USC career receptions record (207), and a trio of experienced linemen: All-American tackle Jacob Rogers (a 3-year starter), All-Pac-10 center Norm Katnik (a 3-year starter) and guard Lenny Vandermade (a 4-year starter). In addition to winning the Heisman Trophy, Matt Leinart also won the Walter Camp Award and was named the AP Player of the Year. [23], The struggling Washington Huskies visited the Trojans for the 75th meeting in the series, with the Trojans dominating 380. football@usc.edu. [43], In conference, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush were named 2004 Pac-10 Co-Offensive Players of the Year, while DE-DT Shaun Cody was Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year; it marked the first time teammates had ever shared the honors on one side of the ball, the third time a school had won both offensive and defensive players of the year, and it was Leinart's second consecutive year being named the Offensive Player of the Yearmaking him the fourth to do so. LB Brian Cushing. Ed Orgeron Reveals 'Crucial Keys' For Rebuilding USC Football In the hunt for the tackle jobs are sophomore Kyle Williams, redshirt freshmen Sam Baker, Drew Radovich and Matt Spanos, plus incoming 370-pound junior Taitusi Lutui (Snow Junior College in Ephraim, Utah), a J.C. All-American. [43] Dating back to former Trojan QB Carson Palmer's 2002 season, it was the third year in a row that a Trojan was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year. PLACEKICKERS Senior Ryan Killeen (19-of-24 FG, 65-of-57 PAT in 2003) ranks among the nation's top placekickers. I really like what our returning defensive players bring. The 2004 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. Fr., OT Ross Burruel, Jr., C Jeff Byers, In. But he was not selected because of a judicial stay on that ruling, which was then overturned. football@usc.edu. USC completes 2022 football coaching staff - Daily Trojan Behind him is walk-on redshirt freshman Mario Danelo, the son of ex-NFL kicker Joe Danelo. [6], The Trojans prevailed over the Beavers in a tight game in heavy fog at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. The kicking game returns intact, except for the snapper. The game against the Bruins was later vacated as a result of NCAA sanctions. 2004 USC Football Outlook - USC Athletics In 2003, 24 of his 42 punts traveled at least 50 yards and 28 pinned opponents within the 20-yard line. Joining the signalcalling corps this fall as a freshman is prep All-American Rocky Hinds (St. Bernard High in Playa del Rey, Calif.). [17] The Cal Golden Bears, led by Coach Jeff Tedford, were already ranked their highest since 1991 and looking to earn one of the biggest victories in program history. 2008 USC Coaching Staff Football Coaches & Staff (Simon Park | Daily Trojan) It'll be fun to see who steps up.". But he was not selected because of a judicial stay on that ruling, which was then overturned. The undefeated, top-ranked Trojans met the also undefeated, second-ranked Sooners in the 2005 BCS National Championship Game held at the FedEx Orange Bowl at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. Three of the nation's top recruits could make an immediate impact as freshmen (all were prep All-Americans). "We did a great job offensively last season," said Carroll. He has a good arm and is a leader. Fr., S Terrell Thomas, Rs. For a while, it appeared that Williams--who has 176 receptions for 2,579 yards and a USC record 30 touchdowns in his 2-year career--would not return in 2004 after taking advantage of a court ruling to leave after his sophomore year for the NFL. A school-record 6 Trojans were awarded All-American first team honors in 2004: Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush, DE Shaun Cody, LB Matt Grootegoed, DT Mike Patterson and LB Lofa Tatupu. What could Lincoln Riley's USC coaching staff look like? Fr. It would be USC last win at Oregon State until 2013. And the Trojan defense-whose +1.33 turnover margin and +111 takeaways in Carroll's first 3 seasons are best in the nation-topped the country in 2003 in rushing defense. USC Finally Announces Coaching Staff - InsideUSC with Scott Wolf USC fielded record-setting punt and placekicking squads. Inside Wide Receivers Coach. "The competition in the wide receiver group will be critical," said Carroll. A lot of the key players from that offense return this year. 1 recruiting class in the nation. Other potential returners are junior tailback Hershel Dennis, who led USC in kickoff returns in 2002 (9 KOR, 151 yds, 16.8 avg), senior cornerback Kevin Arbet (4 PR, 19 yds, 4.8 avg in 2003), who led USC in punt returns in 2001 (25 PR, 225, yd, 9.0 avg), and junior cornerback Justin Wyatt (3 KOR, 41 yds, 13.7 avg in 2003). Providing that safety depth will be twin redshirt freshmen Brandon Ting (3 tac in 2003) and Ryan Ting (1 tac in 2003), and senior walk-ons Greg Farr (6 tac in 2003) and Chris Bocage (1 tac in 2003), who missed 2004 spring practice while recovering from a knee injury. Fr. Whitney Lewis, So. [6], The game was tightly fought: Cal dominated the statistics, more than doubling USC's first downs (2812) and total yards (424205) while getting more plays (7950) and possession time (37:1122:49); Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a career performance, tying an NCAA single game record by completing his first 23 passes and guiding the Golden Bears to a first-and-goal at the Trojan 9-yard line with 1:47 to play. [31] ESPN's College GameDay made its second-ever visit to the Coliseum. RB Chauncey Washington. Backing him will be junior David Kirtman (5 tcb, 23 yds, 4.6 avg in 2003, plus 5 rec., 28 yds, 5.6 avg), a rugged blocker who has starting experience and is a key special teamer, and redshirt freshman Jody Adewale, a converted tailback. 2 tackler last season. Headlining the offense will be quarterback Matt Leinart and wide receiver Mike Williams, All-Americans who should figure prominently in this year's Heisman race (they were sixth and eighth, respectively, in last season's voting). But, in my. He received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA because he was out of action for most of the past 2 seasons with a foot injury (he'll miss 2004 spring drills while recuperating). [15] By halftime, USC found itself down 11 points after the Cardinal caught them by surprise with an 82-yard run final play while trying to run out the clock to end the half. But he was ineligible for this past spring's practice and will not participate in the 2004 season because of a student conduct violation. 2003 USC Coaching Staff Football Coaches & Staff And USC blocked 7 kicks (6 field goals and a punt). [26] The Trojans had lost in their previous visit to WSU, a 3027 overtime game in 2002; since then the Trojans had gone 281. Gone from the defense are All-American end Kenechi Udeze, a 3-year starter who left after his junior season to enter the NFL draft (he was the nation's sack co-leader in 2003 when he had 16.5 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and 5 forced fumbles), and fellow end Omar Nazel (a 2-year starter), plus both starting cornerbacks (All-Pac-10er Will Poole, who had 7 interceptions and 80 tackles in 2003, and Marcell Allmond, who led USC to an 18-1 mark when he started in the secondary) and 2-year starting outside linebacker Melvin Simmons. QB Mark Sanchez. Is Coach Rick Stockstill on the Hot Seat? The Trojans then return home to host Arizona and Notre Dame before concluding their season on "Championship Saturday" (Dec. 4) at UCLA. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Fr. [32] The Trojans set a record for home wins (including pre-Coliseum), with their 21st victory; coincidentally, the previous team to defeat them at home were the Stanford Cardinal then-under Coach Willingham. 2004-05 USC Trojans Men's Roster and Stats - College Basketball at He ended up as the Trojans' leading tackler in 2003. Shaun Cody (26 tac, 10.5 for loss, 6 sack, 1 FF, 1 dfl, 3 blk FG in 2003) will be starting for his fourth year, this year sliding out to end after spending his career at tackle. @Coach_Henson. His 164.5 passing efficiency rating ranked third nationally and was a USC record (he's the nation's top-rated returning passer). 2004 Pacific-10 Conference football standings, "The 10 Best College Football Teams of All Time", 2004 Virginia Tech Hokies Football Schedule, Southern passion propels SEC to top of conference ladder, "USC Now Will Recognize Its 1939 Football Team As A National Champion", Notre Dame (64) at No. Full-Time Assistant Coaching Staff Named by New USC Football Head Coach Alex Grinch. In his 2-year Trojan career, Williams has 176 receptions for 2,579 yards and a USC record 30 touchdowns. Since the vacated games included the Trojans' Orange Bowl win, the Trojans were later stripped of the 2004 BCS title in June 2011.