| 2009USC Trojans football | |
|---|---|
 | |
Emerald Bowl champion | |
Emerald Bowl, W 24–13 vs.Boston College | |
| Conference | Pac-10 Conference |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 20 |
| AP | No. 22 |
| Record | 9–4 (5–4 Pac-10) |
| Head coach |
|
| Offensive coordinator | John Morton (1st season) |
| Offensive scheme | Multiple |
| Defensive coordinator | Rocky Seto (1st season) |
| Base defense | 4–3 |
| Captain | Jeff Byers Taylor Mays Josh Pinkard Damian Williams |
| Home stadium | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Capacity: 93,607) |
Seasons | |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 11Oregon $ | 8 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona | 6 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon State | 6 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stanford | 6 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 22USC | 5 | – | 4 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | 5 | – | 4 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington | 4 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UCLA | 3 | – | 6 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona State | 2 | – | 7 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington State | 0 | – | 9 | 1 | – | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The2009 USC Trojans football team represented theUniversity of Southern California during the2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team played its home games at theLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum and was coached byPete Carroll, who was in his ninth and final season at USC. They finished the season 9–4, 5–4 inPac-10 play and won theEmerald Bowl overBoston College 24–13.
The Trojans signed a top-5 recruiting class.[1][2]
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 5 | 12:30 p.m. | San Jose State* | No. 4 | FSN | W 56–3 | 84,325 | |
| September 12 | 5:00 p.m.[3] | at No. 8Ohio State* | No. 3 | ESPN | W 18–15 | 106,033 | |
| September 19 | 12:30 p.m. | atWashington | No. 3 | ABC | L 13–16 | 61,889 | |
| September 26 | 7:15 p.m. | Washington State | No. 12 |
| FSN | W 27–6 | 75,216 |
| October 3 | 5:00 p.m. | at No. 24California | No. 7 | ABC | W 30–3 | 71,799 | |
| October 17 | 12:30 p.m. | at No. 25Notre Dame* | No. 6 | NBC | W 34–27 | 80,795 | |
| October 24 | 5:00 p.m. | Oregon State | No. 7 |
| ABC | W 42–36 | 89,718 |
| October 31 | 5:00 p.m. | at No. 10Oregon | No. 5 | ABC/ESPN2 | L 20–47 | 59,592 | |
| November 7 | 5:00 p.m. | atArizona State | No. 12 | ABC | W 14–9 | 55,282 | |
| November 14 | 12:00 p.m. | Stanford | No. 9 |
| FSN | L 21–55 | 90,071 |
| November 28 | 7:00 p.m. | UCLA | No. 20 |
| FSN | W 28–7 | 85,713 |
| December 5 | 12:30 p.m. | Arizona | No. 18 |
| ABC | L 17–21 | 83,753 |
| December 26 | 5:00 p.m. | vs.Boston College* | No. 24 | ESPN | W 24–13 | 40,121 | |
| |||||||
Name Yr. Ht./Wt.
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Offensive line
Defensive line
Linebacker
Defensive back
Kickers/Punters
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spartans | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| #4 Trojans | 0 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 56 |
The #4 Trojans opened their season against the lightly regarded San Jose Spartans. Though the Spartans outscored USC 3–0 in the 1st quarter of play, the Trojans quickly recovered, scoring 56 consecutive points for a 53-point victory.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3 Trojans | 7 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 18 |
| #8 Buckeyes | 7 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 15 |
A crowd of 106,033, the largest in Ohio Stadium history, were in attendance as the #3 USC Trojans came to Columbus, Ohio to face the #8 Ohio State Buckeyes. Both teams showed great defense with the game close at the half tied 10–10. After a safety and a field goal, Ohio State led 15–10 with less than five minutes to go. However, Matt Barkley and the Trojans drove down the field to score a touchdown and a two-point conversion to end the game. The final score was USC 18, Ohio State 15, with the Buckeyes losing to the Trojans for the second straight year.
Freshman quarterbackMatt Barkley injured his right shoulder.
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3 Trojans | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| Huskies | 7 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
QuarterbackAaron Corp took over forMatt Barkley.
The Huskies became the latestPac-10 team to upset the Trojans, only two Pacific-10 Conference teams have failed to beat USC during the Pete Carroll era: Arizona and Arizona State.[4] Other Pac-10 teams have defeated USC at least once during this period; Oregon State did it twice, 2006 and again in 2008, as did Stanford in 2001 and2007 (and would do soagain in 2009).
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougars | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| #12 Trojans | 20 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 27 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 Trojans | 10 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 30 |
| #24 Golden Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
The Trojans dominated the Bears, scoring the most points since their season opener against San Jose State.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •USC | 7 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
| Notre Dame | 7 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 27 |
| 1 | 8:47 | USC | Damian Williams 20-yard pass fromMatt Barkley (Jordan Congdon kick) | USC 7-0 |
| 1 | 1:04 | ND | Robert Hughes 2-yard run (Nick Tausch kick) | Tied 7-7 |
| 2 | 12:44 | USC | Jordan Congdon 24-yard field goal | USC 10-7 |
| 2 | 7:10 | USC | Jordan Congdon 37-yard field goal | USC 13-7 |
| 3 | 7:29 | USC | Damian Williams 41-yard pass from Matt Barkley (Jordan Congdon kick) | USC 20-7 |
| 3 | 5:18 | ND | Golden Tate 45-yard pass fromJimmy Clausen (Nick Tausch kick) | USC 20-14 |
| 3 | 2:35 | USC | Allen Bradford 3-yard run (Jordan Congdon kick) | USC 27-14 |
| 4 | 13:33 | USC | Joe McKnight 1-yard run (Jordan Congdon kick) | USC 34-14 |
| 4 | 11:13 | ND | Jimmy Clausen 2-yard run (kick blocked) | USC 34-20 |
| 4 | 7:28 | ND | Golden Tate 15-yard pass from Jimmy Clausen (Nick Tausch kick) | USC 34-27 |
The Trojans marched into South Bend ranked #6 in the nation after a 30-3 beating of #24 Cal. The Fighting Irish lived up to their name, staying with highly ranked USC through two quarters, only trailing by 6 points, 13–7. In the third quarter, the Trojans started to run away with the game, outscoring Notre Dame 14–7. Going into the fourth quarter, USC had a commanding lead, 27–14. USC scored another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to go ahead, 34–14. It looked like Notre Dame would get beat badly by their rivals once again. But, it wasn't to be for the Fighting Irish. Instead of losing by double digits to the Trojans again, they rallied and found themselves down 34–27 with 1 second left at the USC 1-yard-line. Jimmy Clauson fired an incomplete pass and USC extended their winning streak over Notre Dame to 8. The freshman Matt Barkley attempted 29 passes, completing 19, on his way to 380 yards and 2 touchdowns. Clauson went 24–43 with a mere 260 yards and 2 touchdowns. Anthony McCoy led the Trojans (5-1) in receiving yards with 5 catches for 153 yards. Notre Dame's (4-2) leading receiver was Golden Tate with 8 catches for 117 yards.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beavers | 6 | 3 | 14 | 13 | 36 |
| #7 Trojans | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
Last year the #1 Trojans went to Corvallis and were upset 27–21. It was the second straight trip to Corvallis for USC that resulted in defeat. Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 187 yards on 37 carries and two touchdowns in the win last year. Oregon State was the second Pac-10 Conference school to have beaten USC twice during thePete Carroll era in 2006 and 2008 (Stanford was first with victories in 2001 and2007 (and would do soagain in 2009).
The last time Oregon State won against USC in the Coliseum was whenDwight D. Eisenhower was the President of the United States.
USC scored first when quarterbackMatt Barkley passed toAnthony McCoy for an 8-yard touchdown. The Beavers got on the scoreboard with two field goal kicks from Justin Kahut (both 48 yards). In the second quarter, Matt Barkley completed a pass to Ronald Johnson for a 22 yards touchdown. On second and goal, Barkley rushed for a 1-yard touchdown for the Trojans. Kahut kicked a 33-yard field goal for Oregon State just before the half.
In the third quarter, Sean Canfield passed toJacquizz Rodgers for a 6-yard touchdown for the Beavers on a 3:06-drive that took 8 plays for 61 yards. The Trojans countered with a 7-play drive for 70 yards with Allen Bradford rushing for 2 yards for a touchdown. Canfield narrowed Oregon State's gap by completing a 15-yard scoring pass to Damola Adeniji. USC answered with Allen Bradford scoring a 43-yard touchdown.
Oregon State became the first team to score more than 10 points on the Trojans in their last ten home games.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #5 Trojans | 3 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
| #10 Ducks | 10 | 14 | 17 | 6 | 47 |
Prior to the game, USC had lost three in a row in the state of Oregon, but had won four of the last five against the Ducks.[5] The Trojans lost the game 47–20, which was the worst defeat suffered by USC since 1997.[6]
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #12 Trojans | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Sun Devils | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #25 Cardinal | 14 | 7 | 7 | 27 | 55 |
| #11 Trojans | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
Stanford's 55–21 victory was the highest number of points any team had scored against a USC Trojans football team in the 121-year history of Trojan football.[7] The 34-point loss was the worst defeat USC had suffered since 1966.[7] This was Stanford's third victory against USC in their last five games against each other at the Coliseum (Stanford winning 2001, 2007, and 2009, with USC winning in 2003 and 2005), with USC having defeated every non-Stanford opponent in the Coliseum since 2001, going 47–2 since Stanford's September 29, 2001 victory in the Coliseum.[8][9] It was the first defeat in a November game for the Trojans under Coach Pete Carroll's nine-season tenure.[7] For the first time in since Carroll's first season, USC lost more than two games in one season.[7] For the second time in three weekends, Carroll suffered the worst loss of his USC tenure (the other being theOregon game).[7] This was the largest margin of victory for Stanford in a Stanford-USC game since the two teams' rivalry began in 1918.[10] Harbaugh became the only coach in college football with a winning record against Carroll, going 2–1 in the three times the two coaches have faced each other.[11] Stanford would eclipse the all-time point spread record it set from the2007 Stanford vs. Southern California football game, as USC was a 41-point favorite.[12][13]
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| #24 Trojans | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
UCLA–USC rivalry game for the Victory Bell, which the Trojans retained by defeating the Bruins 28–7. Both teams wore home jerseys, in a tradition that was restarted the previous year, with the Bruins wearing their 1966 throwback powder blue jerseys. The final two minutes of the game proved to be interesting. With the Trojans leading 21–7 after a touchdown with 1:30 in the fourth quarter, and having possession of the ball after UCLA turned it over on downs, Carroll instructed his quarterback to take a knee.Rick Neuheisel then called a timeout to stop the clock. On second down, the Trojans immediately connected on a 48-yard pass play for their fourth touchdown of the game.[14] USC beat UCLA for the 10th time in 11 years, but the late touchdown pass stirred passions in the crosstown rivalry and lead to a benches-clearing incident.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcats | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| #20 Trojans | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
Arizona's defeat of the Trojans gave the Wildcats their first win over USC during the Pete Carroll era. Arizona was also the first non-Stanford team in the Pac-10 to defeat the Trojans in the Coliseum under Carroll (Stanford had defeated Carroll's teams in the Coliseum in 2001, 2007, and 2009). Arizona State is the only Pac-10 team to never beat the Trojans during Carroll's tenure.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Trojans | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
This marked the first time USC played in the Emerald Bowl. On December 26, 2009, at AT&T Park in San Francisco California, attended by 40,121; the Trojans squared off against the Boston College Eagles from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
This also marked the first time that the Trojans had played in a non-BCS bowl game in seven years. Boston College was making its 11th straight bowl appearance. The Eagles became the first team to play in the Emerald Bowl twice, beating Colorado State 35–21 in the 2003 San Francisco Bowl (the former name of the Emerald Bowl). This was the third meeting between the two schools and the first in a bowl game. USC had won both games in the series, a 23–17 victory in Los Angeles in 1987 and a 34–7 win in Chestnut Hill in 1988.
USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley threw touchdown passes to Stanley Havili on the Trojans first two possessions and added a touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Barkley finished the game with a total of 350 yards passing. Of his 350 yards, Damian Williams accounted for 189 of them on 12 catches. Williams was named the game's MVP for his efforts. Boston College was led by tailback Montel Harris, who rushed for 102 yards and also added a touchdown run.
| Week | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | 4 | 3 | 3(1) | 12 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 22 | 24 | 20 | RV | 22 |
| Coaches | 4(1) | 3(1) | 3(3) | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 10 | 21 | 22 | 19 | RV | 20 |
| Harris | Not released | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 22 | 19 | RV | Not released | |||
| BCS | Not released | 7 | 5 | 12 | 9 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 24 | Not released | ||||||
On January 10, 2010, coach Carroll told his players that he will resign his position with the Trojans and become the new head coach of theSeattle Seahawks.[15]Lane Kiffin, formerly with the Trojans,Oakland Raiders, and Tennessee Volunteers, was hired as the new head coach.
Media related to2009 USC Trojans football team at Wikimedia Commons