NCAA Football FanHouse

Worst Moments in Big Ten Football History #3: 1984 Rose Bowl, Illinois vs. UCLA

Mark Hasty — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:17:00 EST

Filed under: UCLA Football, Big 10, Pac 10, Bowl Games, NCAA FB History, Los Angeles, Illinois Football

FanHouse is counting down the ten best, ten worst, and ten weirdest moments in the history of Big Ten football.

Above: Rick Neuheisel (right) and Troy Aikman in Neuheisel's first coaching stint at UCLA.

Not many people remember it, but for a few years in the early 1980s, the Big Ten played a full round-robin schedule, as opposed to the current "skip the same two teams for two years in a row" format that has been in place since Penn State joined the conference. During that brief period, one team actually managed to defeat all nine of its conference opponents: Mike White's Fighting Illini, in the 1983 season. The Angry Indigenous Woodlands People dropped their first game to Missouri, then ran off ten straight wins, entering the Granddaddy of Them All 10-1 and ranked fourth in the nation.

And on the other side of the field? Terry Donahue's UCLA Bruins, a team so dazzlingly awesome they went 0-3 in their non-conference games. The doddering Bruins won the Pac-10 almost by default that season; they were 6-1-1 in conference play (ties were still allowed back then), and 6-4-1 overall. (Can you imagine the outcry today if a six-win team got a BCS berth?)

So, obviously, there was no hope for the Bruins. You'll note, however, that this game wound up on the Big Ten's "worst moments," and of course there's a reason for that.

The reason is that, apparently, the world-beating Illini team that ran the table in the Big Ten was mysteriously replaced by the football team from Cal Tech.

On offense, the usually reliable Jack Trudeau stunk it up something fierce. He threw three picks, two of them to UCLA safety Don Rogers. Trudeau did manage to toss a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but his pass on the two-point conversion attempt failed. But, in Trudeau's defense, the rushing game literally did nothing to help him. Dwight Beverly and Thomas Rooks combined for all of 43 yards rushing, but there were so many plays which went for losses that Illinois wound up with a net rushing total of zero yards.

The Illini defense, on the other hand, was nothing less than brilliant, holding the Bruins to a mere 511 yards of total offense and only 45 points. This on a day when UCLA's quarterback woke up with food poisoning, for crying out loud. But that quarterback still managed to have a career day against Cal Tech Illinois, throwing for 298 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to the same receiver. The UCLA QB was Rick Neuheisel. The receiver was Karl Dorrell. That probably means something, but I'm not sure what.

What I am sure of is that this was hands-down the worst-ever performance by any Big Ten team in a bowl game, and yes, I am aware of the 2007 BCS Title Game. This was worse. Much worse. Florida, at least, was ranked.

Worst Moments in Big Ten Football History #3: 1984 Rose Bowl, Illinois vs. UCLA originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 14 May 2008 15:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UCLA's Brittle Bruin Quarterbacks

Scott Olin Schmidt — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: UCLA Football, Pac 10, NCAA FB Injuries, Los Angeles

Last year, the University of California at Los Angeles went through four starting quarterbacks in a season which failed to meet expectations. New head coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow had hoped to turn the tide and avoid any quarterback controversy, naming Pat Cowan the starter in Spring Practice.

But just days after fifth-stringer Osaar Rashaan declared that he would start again as UCLA quarterback, he moved up to number three on the depth chart when Cowan and Ben Olson were carted off the field with injuries. Cowan, the erstwhile starter, will miss the 2008 season; Olson must recover from yet another surgery.

Things have gotten so bad that UCLA's coaches are now asking recruit Kevin Prince to leave school early in order to provide depth at the position. But Prince is still recovering from reconstructive knee surgery himself, so don't expect this high schooler to be a lucky charm to avoid injuries at the position!

But if things look glum in Westwood, Bruin fans can take consolation that they did not lose seven first- and second-round players to the NFL Draft!

UCLA's Brittle Bruin Quarterbacks originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mustain Seeks Prolonged QB Battle

Scott Olin Schmidt — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

The start of Spring Football could not come a day sooner for the USC Trojans after the heralded Men of Troy Basketball squad went one-and-done in the NCAA Tournament--and there is good reason to pay attention to what's happening on Howard Jones Field.

Mark Sanchez, Aaron Corp and Arkansas-transfer Mitch Mustain will be battling it out to determine who will replace John David Booty in the fall. Redshirt Junior Sanchez has the leg up according to head coach Pete Carroll, "It will be interesting to see if Mitch and (freshman) Aaron (Corp) can catch up. That's what we'll have to find out."

For Mustain to catch up and win the starting job, he must make sure that time is on his side, and make the coaching staff prolong their decisionmaking process into the fall.

"If it doesn't get decided, it looks better for Aaron or I," Mustain told the Daily News. "From August, it's like night and day for me. And even from December, it's a huge difference, even with where I stand on the team in terms of leadership since (Booty) left. I'm not going to be reluctant to exercise it."

Mustain Seeks Prolonged QB Battle originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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An NFL Future in LA?

Scott Olin Schmidt — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:08:00 EST

Filed under: USC Football, NFL Media Watch, Los Angeles, USC

It has been twelve years since the Rams and Raiders left Los Angeles, and with the recent passing of Georgia Frontiere, one of the last people to own a pro football team in Southern California, it is time to reconsider the prospect.

All week long, the Los Angeles Times is pitting "sportswriter" Scott Olin Schmidt (ahem, that would be yours truly) against Barry Sanders--the Los Angeles Coliseum Commissioner, not the former Detroit Lion--in their weekly "Dust Up" web feature.

Today's question asks, "Should Los Angeles be spending public money to attract an NFL franchise? Should a pro team play at the Coliseum? Isn't professional football (unlike, arguably, baseball) usually a net loss for municipalities?"

Both Sanders and Schmidt agree: "our great city can live without an NFL team."

An NFL Future in LA? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mythbusting: Vikings to L.A. Coliseum?

Scott Olin Schmidt — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: Vikings, NFL Rumors, USC Football, Los Angeles, The Word

Why did the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission reject USC's offer on Wednesday to conditionally accept an agreement to allow the Trojans to play in the Coliseum?

When we first heard of USC's "put up or shut up proposal," we thought it was brilliant, because to reject the plan would require that the Coliseum Commission admit that not even its members had faith in their ability to deliver on their promises to the University.

Many observers say that the Coliseum Commission is reluctant to hand over the keys to the building to the University.

"It's not only about money," Coliseum General Manager Pat Lynch told the LA Times. "It's about everything."

Does "everything" include a plan to bring the Minnesota Vikings to Los Angeles?
I got a phone call from an anonymous source at a restricted number on Tuesday morning that was too revealing not to follow up on....

Here is what we were told by this alleged "City Hall Insider"... Our tipster heard from a source in Sacramento that Commission President Bernard Parks was at a Holiday Party and was overheard bragging that he and his colleagues have been talking to an NFL developer--not the league or any owners directly--about trying to lure the Minnesota Vikings to the L.A. Coliseum. These talks have been going on for at least three months, including meetings since USC's threat to move to the Rose Bowl went public, and that the entire Commission, not just Parks, had been involved to some degree with the talks.

Wowsers. If true, that would be big news, both in Los Angeles--because it would show that the Coliseum Commission has not been negotiating in good faith with USC--but in Minnesota, where the Vikings were recently told by State Officials not to expect any action on getting a new stadium in the next year.

Normally, an anonymous tipster would not be enough to run with a story, but then again, without anonymous tipsters, there would never have been a President Gerald Ford, so we decided to explore the issue further.

Unfortunately, the shadowy Coliseum Commission does not publish its agendas online--doing the minimum required under California's Brown Act to let people know about their meetings, what they're discussion and with whom. A call to Commission President Park's office on Tuesday could not confirm that there would even be a Coliseum Commission meeting that very afternoon, despite the fact that the meeting had been widely publicized in the media.

One person told us that in order to get back agendas or to research Commissioner Park's official travel records we'd probably have to file a public records request--which could take weeks.

We contacted Bernard Parks' City Council office Wednesday but his press secretary, Bernard Parks, Jr., was on vacation until January. The charge d'affaires for communications told us that she could only repeat statements made by the Councilman in public to respond to our questions and offered an interview with Parks, Sr. himself. However, once FanHouse explained what we wanted to discuss, Parks never returned our request for an interview.

So, here is what we know...

Commission President Bernard Parks really truly believes that the NFL will come one day to the Coliseum, enough so that he goes to every NFL owners meeting that he can. Parks has also been identified as one of the biggest obstacles to inking a deal between USC and the Coliseum.

There was indeed a Christmas Party this weekend, hosted by political consulting firm Cerrell Associates to which Parks would have been invited and would have been around plenty of Sacramento insiders. Party host Joe Cerrell is a "Committee"-level donor to USC, meaning he gives more than $7500, and holds one of the best open-bar Christmas Parties on the L.A. political circuit. I did not attend, however, because I was in San Francisco speaking at a convention.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office had never heard of such a conversation, but would not rule it out. They also tell FanHouse that if the NFL were to come to Los Angeles, neither the Vikings nor the Coliseum are under consideration in their mind.

Meanwhile in Minnesota, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has publicly stated that the stadium issue, "needs to be resolved in the near future." This is despite the fact that the team's contract to play in the Metrodome goes through 2011.

FanHouse's Vikings blogger JJ Cooper, when asked about the rumor responds, "It all adds up from what I understand. The Vikes just tried to get their stadium deal through the legislature and were told they aren't a priority in '08. So unless something changes, they are looking at least at 2009 to get some kind of funding for a new stadium, which means we're probably talking 2013 before a new stadium could be ready. Their lease is up in 2011, so they will be a free agent with no sign of a stadium deal to come. At the same time the Vikes have pretty much sold out the Metrodome for years, so it may be crazy to pick up and head to the land of guaranteed blackouts. But there has been speculation in Minnesota that they could leave."

So, is the L.A. Coliseum Commission secretly trying to being the Vikings to L.A. and stalling talks with USC as a result?

If we were to rate this on a Mythbusters scale, it would have to be labeled: PLAUSIBLE.

Mythbusting: Vikings to L.A. Coliseum? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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USC Corners Coliseum Commission in Negotiations

Scott Olin Schmidt — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:53:00 EST

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

After considering last week's proposal by the Coliseum Commission to enter into a long-term lease with USC, have the public entity raise the funds for stadium improvements, and promise no NFL team would come to the venerable Los Angeles Stadium, USC responded Monday with a "Thanks, but..." counterproposal.

In a letter to Coliseum manager Pat Lynch, USC's lead negotiator Todd Dickey lays out a groundwork for compromise--enter into an agreement to let the Coliseum sell naming rights to the stadium, raise the money, and meet specific goals over ten years for improving the stadium. If the Coliseum Commission fails to make the deadlines, they'd be in breach of contract with the University and the deal would revert to the Master Lease that USC has wanted all along.The Los Angeles Times says that USC is giving ground with this proposal, but I personally think it is brilliant as a public relations move. No one seriously believes that the Coliseum Commission will be able to meet the deadlines proposed--or any deadlines for that matter. When was the last time a government entity got anything done on time and under budget. So either USC gets its Master Lease, or it saves the $100-200 million it was going to spend improving the stadium.

Politically, however, the move might not be so wise. Heretofore, USC's allies on the Coliseum Commission have been working with them because of the University's commitment to make an investment in the stadium--after all, when was the last time a government entity told you thay didn't want your money? If they'd rather negotiate the Master Lease and improvements up-front, the public will get a better deal than they'd get if--or shall we say, when--the Coliseum Commission breaches its contract with the University.

Meanwhile USC continues to talk to the Rose Bowl about playing there temporarily, but given the possibility of UCLA rejecting a deal to let USC play there, the University may have to look farther afield if no deal can be reached with the Coliseum. Stadium options in Southern California, however, are somewhat limited. Beyond the Coliseum and Rose Bowl, the next largest venues would be Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego and the 27,000-seat Home Dept Center, which together have a combined capacity which is lower than the largest crowd at either the Coliseum or Rose Bowl.

USC Corners Coliseum Commission in Negotiations originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coliseum Deal is a Dud for USC

Scott Olin Schmidt — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:51:00 EST

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles, The Word

After being admonished last week by the Rose Bowl Operating Company to grow up and negotiate with the University of Southern California, the Coliseum Commission, which oversees the storied stadium where the Men of Troy play football came back with a counter-proposal of half-measures.

According to WeAreSC, the Coliseum Commission is offering a plan which would give USC a shorter-term contract to play at the Coliseum than the University is asking for, with no structural improvements to the Stadium. Their only real concession is to guarantee that no NFL team will be playing in the Coliseum. While they're at it, why not guarantee no NBA, Major League Baseball or Bundesliga team will play there, because those scenarios are just as likely to happen!

Although the Los Angeles Times is reporting that L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are working to forge a deal, it seems apparent to observers of the negotiation that is Schwarzenegger wanted a deal to happen, he could use his leverage with his three commission appointees to vote with Villaraigosa's two voters and strike a deal. Hopefully the Mayor will get a chance to bend the action-hero Governor's ear and prompt the Governor to terminate these drawn-out talks!

Coliseum Deal is a Dud for USC originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Villaraigosa Routes Roadmap to Peace Between USC, Coliseum

Scott Olin Schmidt — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, NCAA FB Campus, Los Angeles

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came out before today's meeting of the Coliseum Commission to map a strategy for achieving peace between the stadium officials and their main tenant--the University of Southern California Football team.

In a letter to the Commission, Villaraogosa outlines a seven point strategy to keep the Trojans from inking a deal tomorrow with the Rose Bowl Operating Company.

Sounding unlike someone who went to college in Westwood, the Bruin Mayor says, "I believe that the future of the Los Angeles Coliseum is inconceivable without USC and I, therefore, urge the Coliseum Commission to immediately negotiate a long-term agreement with the University of Southern California."
Here are the specific points along Villaraigosa's roadmap to stadium peace:

First, USC makes a long-term commitment to the Coliseum that will bring jobs and produce economic vitality in South Los Angeles long into the future.

Second, the Coliseum Commission and USC commit to a major renovation to bring the facility up to modern standards.

Third, the renovation efforts will give priority to necessary improvements in amenities serving the larger public, such as restrooms and concession areas.

Fourth, USC agrees to make a significant financial commitment to the restoration project.

Fifth, the Coliseum Commission and USC acknowledge that the Coliseum is a public treasure which belongs to all members of our community, and that opportunities for community access, use and enjoyment of the Coliseum in a variety of athletic, education and cultural events will be enhanced and improved.

Sixth, the Coliseum will be treated at all times as an historical landmark, and its architectural character shall be protected and preserved.

And seventh, any agreement will recognize a superseding interest in bringing the Olympic Games to the Coliseum.

Of course, the devil will be in the details--such as how much USC puts in to the stadium improvements, what happens to the Sports Arena, and whether I get my Lawry's Prime Rib booth near tunnel 23--but at least an outline of an agreement will be necessary before USC is asked to put down a six-figure deposit on the Rose Bowl tomorrow.

Villaraigosa Routes Roadmap to Peace Between USC, Coliseum originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pete Carroll Knows OJ (Mayo)

Scott Olin Schmidt — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:12:00 EST

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Bowl Games, NCAA FB Coaching, Los Angeles

In case you thought that the USC Trojans weren't going to take the University of Illinois seriously in its Rose Bowl match-up, just take a look at what Pete Carroll and the Coaching staff did on their first day off after the regular season ended, according to official Trojan blog USCRipsit. Something makes me think that offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will be asking Oj Mayo to join him and his colleagues next year.

Media sources report that the Men of Troy were nonplussed with playing the Illini on January 1st, least of which is because it eliminates any possibility that they'd have to lay a claim on a split "national championship" should Ohio State stumble against LSU in the BCS Title Game. Thanks Rose Bowl, indeed.

Pete Carroll Knows OJ (Mayo) originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Petersen Takes Pass on UCLA Job

Scott Olin Schmidt — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: UCLA Football, Pac 10, Boise State Football, NCAA FB Coaching, Los Angeles

Just minutes after UCLA announced that it would have a head coaching vacancy in its football program, its leading candidate turned down the job.

Boise State head coach Chris Petersen, identified this morning by the Los Angeles Times as the Bruins' top pick, told the Idaho Statesman that he is not interested in Karl Dorrell's old job.

Peterson told the paper that he has been contacted by one school--but was not interested--and would not say whether that was in addition to the interest from Westwood.

The difference in cost of living should be enough to make someone like Petersen want to stay in Boise, where a $850,000 salary would be the equivalent of more than $1.5 million in Los Angeles.

Next down Bruin AD Dan Guerrero's list? Texas Tech's Mike Leach or former Oregon coach Steve Mariucci.

Meanwhile, if Karl Dorrell choses not to coach the Las Vegas Bowl, Guerrero says that defensive coordinator--and possible head coach candidate DeWayne Walker--will be at the helm.

Petersen Takes Pass on UCLA Job originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Council Fiddles As Coliseum Issue Burns

Scott Olin Schmidt — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:11:00 EST

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

If the Los Angeles City Council is taking USC's threat to move to the Rose Bowl seriously, they certainly are not showing it. Last week, Councilmmbers Jack Weiss--who represents UCLA territory--and Greig Smith, who attended USC, introduced an emergency non-binding resolution to encourage the University and Coliseum Commission to come to a deal, and asking for the State to restructure the historically inept body which oversees the venue.

Under the so-called "Rule 16", the Council shall hear emergency motions at their next meeting, whch would have been last Friday--as was suggested in a press release from Weiss' office. But only the Council President can decide what falls under that rule. City Hall insiders tell FanHouse that City Council President Eric Garcetti refused to agendize the motion, sending it to committee where it will die a slow death, for fear of alienating Councilman Bernard Parks, whom FanHouse has identified as the biggest obstacle to reaching a deal between USC and the Coliseum Commission.

Meanwhile, Parks has been joined by Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite-Burke and Supervisor Zev Yarolsavsky in the "No Deal" camp, making the odds of USC playing in the Coliseum next year are looking grim.

Meanwhile staffers to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa worked furiously over the weekend to cobble together a five-member majority in favor of negotiating with USC--with their main hold-ups being over whether USC would object to any future Olympic Bids including a Coliseum under their management and the improvements of concessions at the Stadium I, for one, would like to see them bring back beer and wine sales to prevent the pre-game binge drinking on campus and the addition of a Lawry's Prime Rib stand near tunnel 23, so I can get me some cream corn without walking to the opposite side of the stadium.

Given Villaraigosa's advocacy for working with USC, you can safely count his two appointees to the Commission--Candy Spelling and Barry Sanders--in the "Deal" camp. We also hear that USC alum Don Knabe is the lone County Supervisor in favor of working with USC, though his vote is not certain, which leaves Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's three appointees--Fabian Wesson, William Chadwick and David Israel--to decide whether USC will be playing 2 or 8 games in Pasadena in 2008.

Council Fiddles As Coliseum Issue Burns originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three Make UCLA Short List

Scott Olin Schmidt — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Football, Pac 10, Boise State Football, NCAA FB Coaching, Los Angeles, Texas Tech Football

Spurning the advances of former Bruin Rick Neuheisel, UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero has narrowed his list of candidates for the football head coaching job to three.

According to both local papers, the next football coach in Westwood will be Boise State's Chris Petersen, Texas Tech's Mike Leach or the NFL Network's Steve Mariucci. Petersen is said to be the favorite, but the notoriously stingy University may opt for Mariucci, as he has no contract that needs to be bought out.

There's only one little problem: Guerrero has yet to dump current head coach Karl Dorrell. In fact, Dorrell is quoted in the University's official press release regarding the Las Vegas Bowl, saying, "UCLA is extremely happy to be playing in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl." I guess he has a point, because the way this season went, Dorrell should be happy to be in a bowl at all!

Given his 5-1 record against Dorrell, it should come as little surprise that USC coach Pete Carroll is coming across as Karl's greatest fan, imploring fans and the University to, "Give him a friggin' break."

Three Make UCLA Short List originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mayor Asks Schwarzenegger to Terminate USC Rose Bowl Plan

Scott Olin Schmidt — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:09:00 EST

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, NCAA FB Campus, Los Angeles

Yesterday, FanHouse pointed out how Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa could forge a coalition to keep the USC Trojans in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum by bringing together his two votes with the three members appointed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Based on comments from the Mayor's office, it looks like he is amenable to working with Villaraigsoa to terminate a USC move to the Rose Bowl. Sean Clegg, deputy mayor to Villaraigosa told the Los Angeles Times that the Mayor has contacted Schwarzenegger and discussed working together to forge a compromise with USC. Their five votes alone would be enough to seal a deal between the warring university and Coliseum Commission.

Meanwhile, USC students have started their own protests over the proposed move to the Rose Bowl. They promise not to use any concessions at the stadium when the Trojans host the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, a practice I thought had been in place since beer and wine sales were cut off at the Coliseum three seasons ago!

Mayor Asks Schwarzenegger to Terminate USC Rose Bowl Plan originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Villaraigosa Urges USC-Coliseum Deal

Scott Olin Schmidt — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:25:00 EST

Filed under: UCLA Football, USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

In one of the most strongly-worded statements on the future of the NFL in Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a UCLA alumnus, implored his colleagues on the Coliseum Commission to get over their false hopes to bring professional football to the stadium and ink a long-term deal with the University of Southern California.

"While I remain committed to bringing a professional team to Los Angeles, it is time to read the scoreboard: the Coliseum is no longer a viable option for the NFL.

"The Coliseum is and should remain the home of the USC Trojans. I am committed to seeking a long-term agreement with USC that protects the public interest, preserves jobs and benefits the entire community of South Los Angeles."

The Mayor's statements come one day after the December 6th agenda of the Rose Bowl Operating Committee revealed that the operators of the Pasadena Stadium were within days of finalizing a contract to host the home football games of the University of Southern California--moving the Trojans back to Pasadena after 82 years in the Coliseum.

Meanwhile, the University of Southern California contacted its major donors and season ticketholders in an email Wednesday evening, in which Athletic Director Mike Garrett explained, "Unfortunately, talks are at an impasse, and right now we have no lease for the Coliseum next year. As a precaution, USC has negotiated a lease with the Rose Bowl to ensure that we have an acceptable stadium in which to play our home football games for the foreseeable future. But this arrangement is not what we want. We want our football program to remain at the Coliseum. And we want the Coliseum Commission-our "landlords" who manage the stadium-to begin the long overdue rehabilitation of the Coliseum."

USC has also created a page on its website devoted to the controversey and encouraging its alumni to contact members of the intergovernmental Coliseum Commission, which operates the USC-adjacent stadium.

The Coliseum Commission is a body of appointed leaders representing the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles and the State of California. Representing the County are Supervisors Yvonne Braithwaite-Burke and Don Knabe--both USC alumni--and Zev Yaroslavsky.

On the City side are the University's Councilman Bernard Parks, also an alumnus, lawyer Barry Sanders, head of the failed L.A. 2016 Olympic bid, and Candy Spelling, the widow of Beverly Hills 90210 producer Aaron Spelling, and mother of Donna Martin.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's appointees are lawyer William Chadwick, Commission Chairman David Israel and Fabian Wesson, wife of former State Assembly Speaker and current Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson.

And you thought Chicago politics were incestuous!

FanHouse understands that Parks has been the main stick in the mud holding up an agreement for USC as a vocal advocate brining the NFL into his district, and that the three County Supervisors are loathe to give up their power on the Commission. However, If Villaraigosa two appointees plus Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's three could still constitute the majority needed to keep the Men of Troy in the Coliseum.

Villaraigosa Urges USC-Coliseum Deal originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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USC, UCLA Create Rose Bowl Conflict

Scott Olin Schmidt — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: UCLA Football, USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

While there will be plenty of conflict on the field of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this Saturday, if the University of Southern California secures a two-year lease to play at the Rose Bowl stadium, it could lead to some real scheduling conflicts for the schools. Looking at the future schedules for USC and UCLA show three potential conflicts.

Luckily in 2008, the USC and UCLA schedules are somewhat compatible. Only one game falls on the same date for the two schools--on November 8, when USC hosts California and Oregon State visits the Bruins. The former game will likely be picked up by ABC, and the latter seems like a perfect fit for the Fox Sports' Pac Ten Game of the week--but even scheduling 3 hours between games, and assuming that UCLA will have its typical 30-40,000 fans showing up would not be enough time to accommodate the traffic in the Arroyo Seco.

The following year, the Trojans and Bruins would have scheduling conflicts on September 5th, with two competing stinkers against San Jose State and San Diego State and again on October 10th, when Arizona and Oregon visit the two schools, respectively. Perhaps we'll be seeing more Thursday Night Pac-Ten games from Pasadena to make room for these games?

USC, UCLA Create Rose Bowl Conflict originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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USC Rose-Bowl Bound*

Scott Olin Schmidt — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:21:00 EST

Filed under: UCLA Football, USC Football, Pac 10, NCAA FB Campus, Los Angeles

Although the USC Trojans must beat the UCLA Bruins to qualify for the 2008 Rose Bowl Game, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Trojans may be going to the Rose Bowl even more in the near future.

Since talks between the NFL and Los Angeles fell through, the University of Southern California has been negotiating a 99-year master lease with the moribundly complex intergovernmental commission which oversees the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The University was ready to pony up $100 million of its own alumni's money to pay for improvements to the historical structure just off campus.But the Coliseum Commission hasn't bought on to the deal, instead offering the Trojans a two-year lease, which has yet to be signed. So instead, USC called up UCLA to ask permission to enter into negotiations with the Rose Bowl Operating Committee to move their home football games into the Pasadena-based stadium. The matter has progressed far enough that a potential lease with USC is on the Rose Bowl Operating Committee's agenda.

Matt Szabo, press secretary to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Vllaraigosa, tells FanHouse, "The Mayor is absolutely committed to keeping the Trojans at the Coliseum. USC football is one of the most important economic engines in South Los Angeles and the Mayor has no interest in seeing those jobs leave for Pasadena."

As a major donor and season ticket holder, this Trojan would be very upset if the team left the Coliseum to share the Rose Bowl with UCLA. From traffic congestion to parking on a golf course, the Rose Bowl Stadium has to be one of the most inconvenient venues in all of college football. At the Coliseum students and fans can tailgate on campus and walk to the game--and traveling to Pasadena should be an expierience one is only forced to go through once a year--on January 1st!

UPDATE: USC Coach Pete Carroll at least has a sense of humor about the move, saying, "It's kind of been our second home since we've been here."

USC Rose-Bowl Bound* originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Blues for UCLA Bruins

Scott Olin Schmidt — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:41:00 EST

Filed under: UCLA Football, USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

Ben Olson may well be starting at quarterback again for UCLA, but he won't be wearing Bruin Blue.

Last year during the lead up to the cross-town rivalry, USC Coach Pete Carroll said he'd propose to UCLA coach Karl Dorrell that the teams both wear home uniforms as they did until UCLA moved to the Rose Bowl in 1982, as seen in this 1969 throwback photo.

"A lot of our fans remember it's an old tradition that was special," Carroll told the Los Angeles Daily News.

On Thanksgiving Day in Tempe, we heard USC fans talking about it as if it were a done deal--and that to allow it to happen, the home team would accept a 15-yard penalty on the opening kickoff. Not sure why that would happen, but okay...

Unfortunately, it ain't going to happen.

UCLA sports information director Marc Dellins tells FanHouse, "It's just a rumor."

Trojan fans should be disappointed. Already this year two teams--Washington and Notre Dame--went for a throwback look, only to be defeated.

No Blues for UCLA Bruins originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cushing, Maualuga to Stay in School

Scott Olin Schmidt — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:14:00 EST

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, NFL Prospects, Los Angeles

Ohio State fans hoping that the USC Trojan defense might be soft over the middle when the Buckeyes visit the Coliseum on September 13, 2008 will not like this news--standout linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga will return for their senior seasons.

The two juniors, who have yet to win a National Title at USC say thay were influenced by senior Keith Rivers in making their decision to stick around for one more year.

Rivers explains to the Los Angeles Times, ""Most of the people I've talked to in the league say college is more fun. After practice, I'll go, 'Hey Rey, let's hang out.' In the league guys are married or getting cut left and right. . . . You can't really beat the camaraderie of being a young adult."

Of course some Trojans who have stayed in school are still fighting the evils of family life--like former Leinart Lady Brynn Cameron who is balancing motherhood and USC basketball.

Cushing, Maualuga to Stay in School originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UCLA Should Root for USC

Scott Olin Schmidt — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:59:00 EST

Filed under: UCLA Football, USC Football, Washington State Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

Although it goes against their very nature, UCLA Bruins should all start cheering on their cross-town rivals at USC. The bottom line is this in 2007. Unless USC has won on Saturday, the Bruins lose.

When USC had a bye in week two, the Bruins lost in a blowout to Utah. When Stanford improbably upset the Trojans earlier this month, UCLA gave Notre Dame it's only victory of the Season. So when USC lost to Oregon this afternoon, Bruins should have seen what was coming on the Palouse.

Bruins Nation is about to implode, but looking at the schedule, this theory should hold true through December.

Next week UCLA hosts Arizona and USC gets Oregon State--two games both should win. The week after, USC travels to Cal and UCLA gets Arizona State--both games which could go either way.

USC plays on Thanksgiving day, so rack up a loss for UCLA against Oregon two days later and this theory will really be tested on December 1st when one team must win and the other must lost.

UCLA Should Root for USC originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Firefighter Father May Miss Sanchez' Start

Scott Olin Schmidt — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:47:00 EST

Filed under: Oregon Football, USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles, Anaheim

It looks like redshirt sophomore Mark Sanchez will be getting the start for USC this Saturday, but one person may not make it to Autzen Stadium: his firefighter father Nick, who has been battling the blazes this week in Orange County.

While Sanchez would appreciate all the support he can get, his father's safety will not be a distraction from dismantling the Duck defense. "I've been getting text messages from my dad and his unit," Sanchez tells the Daily News. "I've been through this before."

Sanchez will learn today whether his father can make the game and perhaps about whether he will start the third game of his collegiate career.

Firefighter Father May Miss Sanchez' Start originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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