2006 USC Trojans football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2006
Team=USC Trojans


Conference=Pac-10 Conference
Division=
ShortConference=Pac-10
Record=11–2
ConfRecord=7–2
CoachRank=4
APRank=4
HeadCoach=Pete Carroll
OffCoach=Lane Kiffin/Steve Sarkisian
DefCoach=Nick Holt
OScheme=Pro Style
DScheme=3-4
StadiumArena=Los Angeles Coliseum (c. 92,000, grass)
Champion=Pac-10 Conference Co-Champions
BowlTourney=Rose Bowl
BowlTourneyResult=v. Michigan, W 32–18The 2006 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in college football season of 2006-2007, winning the Pacific 10 Conference (Pac–10) and playing in the Rose Bowl. The team was coached by Pete Carroll, led on offense by quarterback John David Booty, and played their home games in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The previous year's team had played for the national championship, however, with many starters gone, including two Heisman Trophy-winners, there were doubts the team could repeat the success. With a highly ranked recruiting class, however, the Trojans were ranked in the top–5 in many pre-season polls. The team finished the regular season with a 10–2 record and were invited to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) to play at the Rose Bowl, where they beat the Michigan Wolverines. With a final record of 11–2, they finished the season ranked fourth in both the Associated Press (AP) and Coaches Polls. Following the season, a number of players won national awards, while five players left the team as they were selected in the 2007 National Football League (NFL) Draft.

Before the season

The four previous Trojan teams were very successful. Since the 2002 season, the Trojans won four Pacific 10 Conference (Pac–10) titles, two national championships, and three players won the Heisman Trophy.cite news|url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/031706aaa.html|title=USC Football To Begin Spring Practice Looking To Continue Its Recent Success Trojans' drills are from March 21 through April 14.|date=March 17, 2006|publisher=University of Southern California|accessdate=2008-02-15] The 2003 team won the Associated Press (AP) national championship, while the 2004 team won the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and AP championships. [cite news|url=http://sportspic.vegasexperts.com/articles.asp?aid=900|title=A Three-Pete For USC in 2006?|author=Ness, Larry|publisher=Vegasexperts.com|accessdate=2008-02-15] Additionally, the 2005 team, named by some of the media as one of the best offenses in the history of college football, [cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2133477/?nav=mpp|title=Trojan Farce - Why USC is overrated.|author=Chait, Jonathan|publisher=Slate|date=December 30, 2005|accessdate=2008-02-15] played for the national championship where they lost to the Texas Longhorns. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=260040030|title=Horns of plenty: VY, Texas deny USC three-peat bid|publisher=ESPN|date=January 4, 2006|accessdate=2007-08-17] Eleven starters returned from that team, and the Trojans were picked by the Pac–10 media to win the conference. [cite news|url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072706aaa.html|title=USC Again Tabbed to Win Pac-10 in Preseason Media Poll|date=July 27, 2006|publisher=University of Southern California|accessdate=2008-02-15] The team began the season ranked sixth in the AP Poll and third in the Coaches Poll. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?seasonYear=2006&weekNumber=1&seasonType=2|title=2006 NCAA Football Rankings - Preseason (Aug. 27)|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=2008-02-15]

Coaching changes

After the 2005 season, defensive coordinator, Jethro Franklin, took an assistant coaching position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Idaho coach, Nick Holt, a former assistant at USC, was hired to replace him. Holt had previously served as linebackers coach for three years at USC. [cite news|url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020906aaa.html|title=Nick Holt Returns To USC Football Staff As Defensive Coordinator And Defensive Line Coach|publisher=University of Southern California|date=February 9, 2006|accessdate=2008-02-15]

Roster changes

Although returning 11 starters from 2005, the team lost eleven players to the National Football League (NFL), including 2004 Heisman Trophy winner, Matt Leinart, and 2005 Heisman winner, Reggie Bush. [cite news|url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042906aad.html|title=Seven Trojans Taken In First Day Of NFL Draft|publisher="USCTrojans.cstv.com"|date=April 29, 2005|accessdate=2007-08-21] [cite news|url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/043006aaa.html|title=Four More Trojans Selected On Second Day Of NFL Draft|publisher="USCTrojans.cstv.com"|date=April 30, 2005|accessdate=2007-08-21] Bush, who had one year left of eligibility, announced his plans to skip his senior season a week after the team's loss in the Rose Bowl. [cite news|url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011206aaa.html|title=Reggie Bush Decides To Turn Pro|publisher="USCTrojans.cstv.com"|date=January 12, 2006|accessdate=2007-08-21] Bush was eventually selected as the second pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, while Leinart was the second Trojan selected in the first round. In all the team lost eight players on offense and three on defense.

Recruiting

The Trojans signed 25 recruits for the new class. Included in the top ranked class were four five–star recruits on defense, three five–star recruits on offense, and another thirteen four–star recruits.

College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Kenny Ashley
position = RB
hometown = Venice, CA
highschool = Venice Senior High School
feet = 5
inches = 8
weight = 205
40 = 4.47
commitdate = 2006-01-28
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 74College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Walker Ashley
position = DT
hometown = Eden Prairie, MN
highschool = Eden Prairie High
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 300
40 = 4.96
commitdate = 2006-02-03
scout stars =
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 40College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = David Ausberry
position = WR
hometown = Lemoore, CA
highschool = Lemoore High School
feet = 6
inches =4
weight = 214
40 = 4.65
commitdate = 2006-01-07
scout stars = 5
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Allen Bradford
position = LB
hometown = Colton, CA
highschool = Colton High School
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 220
40 = 4.55
commitdate = 2006-01-07
scout stars = 5
rivals stars = 5
espn grade = 87College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = C.J. Gable
position = S
hometown = Sylmar, CA
highschool = Sylmar Senior High School
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 185
40 = 4.55
commitdate = 2006-01-19
scout stars = 5
rivals stars = 5
espn grade = 84College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Garrett Green
position = QB
hometown = Sherman Oaks, CA
highschool = Notre Dame High School
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 190
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2006-02-01
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Stanley Havili
position = RB
hometown = Salt Lake City, UT
highschool = Cottonwood High School
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 210
40 = 4.52
commitdate = 2006-01-14
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 71College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Vidal Hazleton
position = WR
hometown = Chatham, VA
highschool = Hargrave Military Academy
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 195
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2005-12-30
scout stars = 5
rivals stars = 5
espn grade = 93College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Zack Heberer
position = OL
hometown = San Pedro, CA
highschool = San Pedro Senior High School
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 277
40 = 5.1
commitdate = 2005-06-12
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 77College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jamere Holland
position = WR
hometown = Woodland Hills, CA
highschool = William Howard Taft High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 175
40 = 4.35
commitdate = 2006-02-01
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 82College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Stafon Johnson
position = RB
hometown = Los Angeles, CA
highschool = Susan Miller Dorsey High School
feet = 5
inches = 11
weight = 200
40 = 4.45
commitdate = 2006-01-27
scout stars = 5
rivals stars = 5
espn grade = 90College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Vincent Joseph
position = DB
hometown = Long Beach, CA
highschool = Polytechnic High School
feet = 5
inches = 9
weight = 175
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2006-01-29
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 81College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Butch Lewis
position = OT
hometown = Aurora, CO
highschool = Regis Jesuit High School
feet = 6
inches = 6
weight = 280
40 = 5.0
commitdate = 2006-01-07
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 81College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Taylor Mays
position = S
hometown = Seattle, WA
highschool = O'Dea High School
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 220
40 = 4.55
commitdate = 2005-08-14
scout stars = 5
rivals stars = 5
espn grade = 92College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Anthony McCoy
position = TE
hometown = Fresno, CA
highschool = Bullard High School
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 230
40 = 4.6
commitdate = 2005-12-09
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Emmanuel Moody
position = RB
hometown = Coppell, TX
highschool = Coppell High School
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 190
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2006-01-07
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 85College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Michael Morgan
position = LB
hometown = Dallas, TX
highschool = Skyline High School
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 190
40 = 4.55
commitdate = 2006-01-31
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 82College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Alex Parsons
position = DT
hometown = Irvine, CA
highschool = Woodbridge High School
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 255
40 = 4.85
commitdate = 2005-12-18
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 75College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Travon Patterson
position = WR
hometown = Long Beach, CA
highschool = Polytechnic High School
feet = 5
inches = 9
weight = 165
40 = 4.45
commitdate = 2006-01-26
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Antwine Perez
position = S
hometown = Camden, NJ
highschool = Woodrow Wilson High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 200
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2005-09-25
scout stars = 5
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 91College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Alfred Rowe
position = LB
hometown = Long Beach, CA
highschool = Polytechnic High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 195
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2006-01-31
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 68College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Derek Simmons
position = DE
hometown = Fairfield, CA
highschool = Armijo High School
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 270
40 = 4.9
commitdate = 2005-06-28
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Joshua Tatum
position = LB
hometown = Oakland, CA
highschool = McClymonds Senior High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 220
40 = 4.6
commitdate = 2005-12-11
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 82College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Gerald Washington
position = TE
hometown = Rancho Cucamonga, CA
highschool = Chaffey
feet = 6
inches = 6
weight = 253
40 = 4.6
commitdate = 2005-05-29
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Shareece Wright
position = CB
hometown = Colton, CA
highschool = Colton High School
feet = 5
inches = 11
weight = 182
40 = 4.51
commitdate = 2005-12-31
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 76College Athlete Recruit End
40 = yes
year = 2006
rivals ref title = Southern Cal Commit List 2006
scout ref title = Scout.com Football Recruiting: USC
espn ref title = 2006 Player Commitments - USC
rivals school = 71
scout s = 15
espn schoolid = 30
scout overall = #1
rivals overall = #1
accessdate = 2008-02-15
collapse = yes

Pre-season honors

Eleven Trojan players were named to pre-season national award watchlists.

*Sam Baker–Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy
*John David Booty–Maxwell Award
*Brian Cushing–Chuck Bednarik Award
*Fred Davis–John Mackey Award
*Lawrence Jackson–Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Ted Hendricks Award, and Lott Trophy
*Dwayne Jarrett–Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award
*Ryan Kalil–Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy, and Dave Rimington Trophy
*Oscar Lua–Chuck Bednarik Award
*Rey Maualuga–Butkus Award
*Keith Rivers–Chuck Bednarik Award and Butkus Award
*Steve Smith–Maxwell Award

In addition to the awards, five players were named to various pre-season All-America teams. "Playboy", "Athlon", "Lindy's", "Street & Smith's", "Rivals.com", and "NationalChamps.Net" each named Jarrett and Baker to their first teams, with Jarrett also named to "Sporting News", "Blue Ribbon's", "Phil Steele's", and "Collegefootballnews.com" first teams. Both "ESPN.com" and "Street & Smith" named Jackson and Kalil to their first teams, and Jackson was additionally named to "Sporting News" "Athlon", and "Phil Steele's" first teams. Rivers was named to various second teams. [cite news|url=http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/usc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/ark06rel.pdf|title=NO. 3-RANKED USC FOOTBALL TRAVELS TO ARKANSAS FOR 2006 OPENER|date=August 28, 2006|publisher=University of Southern California|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-02-15]

eason

Roster

The Trojans went into the 2006 campaign having suffered many season-ending injuries. Redshirt senior and 2003 starting fullback Brandon Hancock tore his knee ligaments in fall camp, ending his career. Hancock was expected to start at fullback. Redshirt senior running back and 2003 starter Hershel Dennis re-tore his knee ligaments in spring practice after initially tearing them during the 2005 FedEx Orange Bowl, finishing his time at USC unless he gets a sixth year of eligibility. Dennis was expected to compete for the starting tailback job with redshirt junior Chauncey Washington and a host of talented freshmen. Sophomore safety Will Harris suffered torn knee ligaments during the off-season while recovering from a 2005 knee injury and was not expected to return in 2006. Senior defensive end Rashaad Goodrum suffered a back and rib injury in 2005 and was not expected to play again for USC. Redshirt sophomore defensive end Lawrence Miles missed the season while recovering from shoulder surgery and was expected to miss the season. Redshirt senior walk-on linebacker Lou Ferrigno, Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury in spring practice and is out of eligibility. Freshman wide receiver Jamere Holland was lost for the season with a shoulder injury. Freshman linebacker Joshua Tatum suffered a knee injury. Redshirt junior offensive lineman Matt Spanos was academically ineligible.

By the Trojans' first game at Arkansas, the starting lineup had undergone some revisions from the expected one from the summer. True freshman tailback C.J. Gable beat out talented freshmen Emmanuel Moody, Allen Bradford, and Stafon Johnson along with upperclassmen Desmond Reed and Michael Coleman for the starting job after junior Chauncey Washington was not ready to go due to injuries. Redshirt junior fullback Ryan Powdrell won the starting job after Hancock's season ended before it began. Redshirt junior Drew Radovich beat out Jeff Byers for the starter's job at left guard. Sophomore linebacker Brian Cushing was installed in Kyle Moore's starting spot at defensive end. Redshirt junior cornerback Terrell Thomas became the other starter with Kevin Thomas. Redshirt senior linebacker Oscar Lua was the first starting middle linebacker. Finally, redshirt sophomore walk-on Greg Woidneck won the starting punter's job.

In the summer before the season, two relatively obscure second-string players— identical twin brothers Brandon and Ryan Ting— abruptly left the team. One of them was later reported to have failed a steroids test. The Ting brothers are sons of Dr. Arthur Ting who has been implicated in scandals concerning the use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Coaching staff

The Trojan team was coached by sixth-year head coach, Pete Carroll and his staff, most of whom returned from 2005. [cite web|url=http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/usc/graphics/media-guides/06-footbl/01fbguide208.pdf|title=Trojan Football 2006|work=2006 Football Media Guide|publisher=University of Southern California|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-02-16]

chedule

CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 2, 2006
time = 5:45 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 3
opponent = Arkansas
opprank =
site_stadium = Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
site_cityst = Fayetteville, AR
gamename =
tv = ESPN
score = 50–14
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 16, 2006
time = 5:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 2
opponent = Nebraska
opprank = 19
site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 28–10
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 23, 2006
time = 5:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 2
opponent = Arizona
opprank =
site_stadium = Arizona Stadium
site_cityst = Tucson, AZ
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 20–3
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 30, 2006
time = 4:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 2
opponent = Washington State
opprank =
site_stadium = Martin Stadium
site_cityst = Pullman, WA
gamename =
tv = TBS
score = 28–22
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 7, 2006
time = 12:30 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 2
opponent = Washington
opprank =
site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
gamename =
tv = FSN
score = 26–20
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 14, 2006
time = 5:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 2
opponent = Arizona State
opprank =
site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 28–21
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 28, 2006
time = 12:30 p.m.
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 2
opponent = Oregon State
opprank =
site_stadium = Reser Stadium
site_cityst = Corvallis, OR
gamename =
tv = FSN
score = 33–31
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 4, 2006
time = 4:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 9
opponent = Stanford
opprank =
site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
site_cityst = Palo Alto, CA
gamename =
tv = FSN
score = 42–0
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 11, 2006
time = 7:15 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming = yes
away =
neutral =
rank = 7
opponent = Oregon
opprank =20
site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
gamename =
tv = FSN
score = 35–10
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 18, 2006
time = 5:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf =
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 4
opponent = California
opprank =17
site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 23–9
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 25, 2006
time = 5:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away =
neutral =
rank = 2
opponent = Notre Dame
opprank = 6
site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 44–24
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = December 2, 2006
time = 1:30 p.m.
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 2
opponent = UCLA
opprank =
site_stadium = Rose Bowl
site_cityst = Pasadena, CA
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 13–9
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = January 1, 2007
time = 2:00 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away =
neutral = yes
rank = 7
opponent = Michigan
opprank = 3
site_stadium = Rose Bowl
site_cityst = Pasadena, CA
gamename = Rose Bowl
tv = ABC
score = 32–18
overtime =

Game notes

USC began the season with many impressive streaks intact despite having lost the 2006 Rose Bowl to Texas.
* 27 straight home games (Pac-10 and school record)
* 23 straight Pac-10 games (Pac-10 and school record)
* 19 straight Pac-10 home games (Pac-10 and school record)
* 15 straight road games
* 11 straight Pac-10 road games
* 8 straight non-conference home games
* 5 straight non-conference road games
* 16 straight October games
* 16 straight November games
* 52 straight 20-point games

Arkansas

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Trojans |R1=3 |R2=13 |R3=14 |R4=20 |RT=50
Home=Razorbacks |H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=7 |HT=14

Although both ESPN and Arkansas asked for the game to be moved, [cite news|url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042406aab.html|title=USC's 2006 Football Opener To Remain On Sept. 2|publisher=University of Southern California|date=April 24, 2006|accessdate=2008-02-17] the Trojans opened their season playing at the Arkansas Razorbacks, who were led by ninth–year head coach Houston Nutt and by running back Darren McFadden. Although USC won the game in 2005, 70–17, this game looked to be closer as the Trojans had to replace two Heisman Trophy winners, Leinart and Bush. However, with John David Booty taking over for Leinart and C.J. Gable becoming the first true freshman to start at running back in USC history, the Trojans outmatched the Razorbacks. Although Razorback freshman quarterback, Mitch Mustain, ran for the first touchdown of his career and one Razorback running back ran for a touchdown, Booty threw three touchdowns, three Trojan running backs ran for a touchdown each, and Mario Danelo kicked two field goals to outscore them, 50–14. A crowd of 76,564, a record in Razorback Stadium, attended the game. With the win, the Trojans extended their record-setting streak of games where they scored at least 20 points to 53. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=262450008|title=Minus Bush and Leinart, USC still steamrolls Arkansas|publisher=ESPN|date=September 2, 2006|accessdate=2008-02-17]

Nebraska

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Cornhuskers |R1=3 |R2=0 |R3=0 |R4=7 |RT=10
Home=Trojans |H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=7 |H4=7 |HT=28

The Nebraska Cornhuskers, led by second–year head coach, Bill Callahan, next traveled to face the Trojans in the Coliseum, where the Trojans held a 27 home-game winning streak. Although the Cornhuskers had an early 3–0 lead, three unanswered touchdown passes by Booty gave the Trojans a 21–3 lead in the third quarter. Although quarterback, Zac Taylor, ran for a touchdown to cut the Trojan's lead, a rushing touchdown by Chauncey Washington sealed the win for the Trojans, 28–10. During the game, wide receiver, Dwayne Jarrett, with two receiving touchdowns, became USC's all-time leader in touchdown receptions, with 31. With the win, the Trojans extended their streak of games where they scored at least 20 points to 54 and extended their Pac–10-record home winning streak to 28. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=262590030|title=Jarrett, now USC career leader, catches two TDs; Trojans triumph|date=September 16, 2006|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=2008-02-17]

Arizona

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Trojans |R1=0 |R2=3 |R3=7 |R4=10 |RT=20
Home=Wildcats |H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=3 |HT=3

The Trojans next traveled to face the Arizona Wildcats, led by third–year head coach, Mike Stoops. Both offenses struggled early in the game, and the Trojans took a 3–0 lead before half-time. The Trojans finally increased their lead in the third quarter when Jarrett scored the first touchdown of the game to tie the Pac–10 record for career receiving touchdowns with 32. A fourth quarter field goal by the Wildcats brought them within a touchdown, but the Trojans answered with a Danelo field goal. Emmanuel Moody ran for the last score of the game to give the Trojans a 20–3 win and extend their streak of games where they scored at least 20 points to 55. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=262660012|title=With offense struggling, defense carries USC to victory|date=September 23, 2006|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=2008-02-17] With the conference win, the Trojans increased their winning streak over conference foes to 24 games.The win did not come without a price, however, as the Trojans, who had already lost fullbacks, Brandon Hancock and Ryan Powdrell to season-ending injuries, lost freshman fullback, Stanley Havili, to an ankle injury. [cite news|author=Wolf, Scott|title=Havili suffers leg break|publisher=LA Daily News|date=September 17, 2006]

Washington State

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Trojans |R1=7 |R2=7 |R3=7 |R4=7 |RT=28
Home=Cougars |H1=3 |H2=0 |H3=9 |H4=10 |HT=22

The Trojans next traveled to face the Washington State Cougars, led by fourth–year head coach, Bill Doba, and quarterback, Alex Brink. Although Jarrett came into the game tied for the Pac–10 career record of receiving touchdowns, he would sit out the game with an ankle injury. Steve Smith took his place, however, and scored two touchdowns to lead the Trojans in the 28–22 win. Although the Cougars lost their only lead in the first quarter, they had a chance to score and tie the game on the final play of the game before Brink's pass was intercepted. The Trojans continued their conference winning streak and moved to 25 games and increased their streak of scoring 20 points to 56 games. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=262730265|title=Smith stars in Jarrett's absence as No. 3 USC survives|publisher=ESPN|date=September 30, 2006|accessdate=2008-02-17]

Washington

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Huskies |R1=3 |R2=7 |R3=3 |R4=7 |RT=20
Home=Trojans |H1=7 |H2=10 |H3=6 |H4=3 |HT=26

The Washington Huskies, led by first–year head coach, Tyrone Willingham, and quarterback, Isaiah Stanback, next visited the Trojans. Willingham was the last coach to beat the Trojans at the Coliseum in 2001 with Stanford, but the Huskies were large underdogs. Despite this, the Huskies kept the game close, as, after two early Trojan touchdowns, their only other scores came from four Danelo field goals. The Huskies scored on two Stanback touchdown passes and two field goals, but the time clock ran out during their final drive, giving the Trojans a 26–20 win. With the win, the Trojans continued their home winning streak, their conference winning streak, and their streak of games scoring over 20 points. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=262800030|title=Clock runs out on Huskies' upset bid; USC survives|publisher=ESPN|date=October 7, 2006|accessdate=2008-02-18]

Arizona State

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Sun Devils |R1=0 |R2=7 |R3=14 |R4=0 |RT=21
Home=Trojans |H1=14 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=7 |HT=28

The Arizona State Sun Devils, led by sixth–year head coach, Dirk Koetter, and quarterback, Rudy Carpenter, next visited the Trojans. Though the Sun Devils started the season with three wins, they had been blown out in both of their next two games and were a three touchdown underdog to the Trojans. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?gameId=262870030|title=ASU looks to avenge difficult loss to Trojans|publisher=ESPN|date=October 14, 2006|accessdate=2008-02-19] The Trojans dominated the first half with three touchdowns before the Sun Devils could score. Their third touchdown, a pass to Jarrett, made him the Pac–10 leader in career touchdown receptions with 33. The Sun Devils, however, finally answered with a rushing touchdown before half-time. The Sun Devils tied the game in the third quarter with Carpenter's touchdown pass and a returned interception for a touchdown, however, Chauncey Washington ran for the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter to give the final score of 28–21 in favor of the Trojans. Once again scoring over 20 points, they won another home conference game to extend their streaks. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=262870030|title=USC avoids collapse, survives ASU to stay unbeaten|publisher=ESPN|date=October 14, 2006|accessdate=2008-02-19]

Oregon State

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Trojans |R1=0 |R2=7 |R3=10 |R4=14 |RT=31
Home=Beavers |H1=7 |H2=9 |H3=17 |H4=0 |HT=33

The Trojans next visited the Oregon State Beavers, led by head coach, Mike Riley. The Beavers took an early lead, and, after the Trojans tied the game, scored three field goals to take a nine point lead. A Danelo field goal at the end of the first half brought the Trojans within six points at half-time. The Beavers took control of the game in the second half, passing for a touchdown, returning a punt for a touchdown, and kicking another field goal to take a 33–10 lead. The Trojans finally answered at the end of the third quarter to bring their deficit to 16 points. In the fourth quarter, Booty threw his second touchdown of the game, and, after a two-point conversion, brought the score to 33–25 in favor of the Beavers. Booty threw his third touchdown of the game with seven seconds remaining, however, their second two-point conversion attempt was batted away by the Beavers to preserve their 33–31 win. Though the Trojans continued their streak of games scoring over 20 points, they ended their streaks of, among others, 38 wins in the regular season, 27 wins against Pac–10 opponents, and 18 wins on the road. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=263010204|title=Three and out: Beavers stun USC; BCS race wide open|publisher=ESPN|date=October 28, 2006|accessdate=2008-02-19]

tanford

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Trojans |R1=7 |R2=21 |R3=7 |R4=7 |RT=42
Home=Cardinal |H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=0 |HT=0

Oregon

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Ducks |R1=0 |R2=7 |R3=3 |R4=7 |RT=17
Home=Trojans |H1=0 |H2=14 |H3=14 |H4=7 |HT=35

California

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Bears |R1=2 |R2=7 |R3=0 |R4=0 |RT=9
Home=Trojans |H1=3 |H2=3 |H3=3 |H4=14 |HT=23

Notre Dame

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Fighting Irish |R1=3 |R2=7 |R3=7 |R4=7 |RT=24
Home=Trojans |H1=14 |H2=7 |H3=7 |H4=16 |HT=44 Notre Dame visited the Coliseum with a four game losing streak to the Trojans, however an eight game winning streak in the season. After the epic 2005 game, the Irish thought they might break the losing streak, and would be assured of a BCS Bowl game. With a win, the Trojans knew that they would still be in the national title hunt. The game started with the Irish receiving the ball and Brady Quinn throwing a quick 38-yard pass to Rhema McKnight. The Irish drive stalled afterwards and turned the ball over after Quinn's fourth down pass flew errantly into the endzone. The Trojans took over and quarterback John David Booty led them on a 61-yard drive that ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Jarrett. After the next Irish drive ended with a punt and a return by the Trojans to the Irish 26, Booty completed another touchdown pass to Jarrett to put the Trojans ahead 14-0. On the ensuing Irish drive, Quinn and Darius Walker brought the Irish downfield, allowing Carl Gioia to kick a field goal. The first quarter ended with the Trojans winning 14-3. In the first drive of the second quarter, Booty led the Trojans to the Irish 1-yard line where he snuck the ball in for USC's third touchdown of the game. On the ensuing drive for the Irish, on a third down, Quinn scrambled for 59-yards, Notre Dame's longest run of the season, to bring the Irish to the USC 17-yard line. Four plays later, a Darius Walker fumble was recovered by the Trojans giving them the ball back. The Irish defense, however, held the Trojans for the first time forcing a punt. The punt was partially blocked giving the Irish the ball back on the 7-yard line. On the next play, Quinn threw a touchdown to Marcus Freeman. The next two drives by the Trojans both ended when Booty threw an interception, but the Irish couldn't capitalize on either, turning the ball over on downs two more times. The half ended with the Trojans leading 21-10.

The second half began with a Trojan drive of 65-yards capped with a Chauncey Washington 2-yard touchdown run. The only other score of the third quarter came on Notre Dame's second drive of 58-yards, when Quinn hit Rhema McKnight for a 2-yard touchdown pass on fourth down. The fourth quarter began with the Trojans driving to an eventual 32-yard field goal by Mario Danelo. After the Irish were held, Booty threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Jarrett to give the Trojans a 37-17 lead (Danelo missed the extra point). Quinn drove the Irish 78-yards and threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Samardzija to put the Irish deficit to 13 points. However, the onside kick attempt, was recovered by Brian Cushing, who ran it back to give the Trojans a 20-point lead again. Notre Dame's last drive would end on another failed fourth down attempt, giving the Trojans the 44-24 win.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=263290030&confId=null|work=ESPN|title=USC delivers BCS statement with sound beating of Irish|date=2006-11-25|accessdate=2006-11-25]

UCLA

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Trojans |R1=2 |R2=7 |R3=0 |R4=0 |RT=9
Home=UCLA |H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=3 |H4=3 |HT=13 UCLA's defensive performance snapped USC’s NCAA-record streak of 63 consecutive 20-point games. [http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/usc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/07-history USC Trojan Football Media Guide] , USC Athletic Department, July 2007.]

Michigan

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Trojans |R1=3 |R2=0 |R3=16 |R4=13 |RT=32
Home=Wolverines |H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=0 |H4=15 |HT=18 In the month leading to the Rose Bowl, starting kicker Troy Van Blarcom was dismissed by the university because of his grades, leaving all duties to Mario Danelo. [Adam Maya, [http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/homepage/article_1395848.php Two USC players ineligible for Rose Bowl] , "The Orange County Register", December 22, 2006.]

The Rose Bowl crowd marked USC's 11th sell out, a single season school record. [http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/usc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/07-history USC Trojan Football Media Guide] , USC Athletic Department, July 2007.]

Legacy

USC is the first team to win five Pac-10 championships in a row, although the Trojans shared the 2002 championship with Washington Statecite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=263220030 | title=#4 USC beats #17 California 23-9 to win 5th Pac-10 Title | publisher=Associated Press | accessdate=2006-11-19] and the 2006 championship with California.

USC's popularity continued to remain high, setting a school record with 11 sold-out games over the season and a total attendance of 995,778, shy of the all-time record set in 2005 of 1,037,565 --attributable to the smaller stadiums at away games in the 2006 season. [http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/usc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/07-history USC Trojan Football Media Guide] , USC Athletic Department, July 2007.]

At the end of the 2006 season, with only Dwayne Jarrett departing early for the NFL and returning many of the starters from the 2006 team, major media sources projected the 2007 USC Trojans football team as the presumptive pre-season #1 team and national title contender for the 2007 season. [Stewart Mandel, [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/stewart_mandel/01/16/early07.rankings/index.html Early look at '07] , CNNSI.com, January 16, 2007.] [Mark Schlabach, [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=2738142 Trojans, Wolverines top revised look at 2007] , ESPN.com, January 22, 2007.] [Mark Schlabach, [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=2776460 Look for USC, West Virginia to play in '07 title game] , ESPN.com, February 23, 2007.]

Deaths

USC placekicker Mario Danelo was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in San Pedro, California, on the night of January 6, 2007.

References

External links

* [http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/usc-m-footbl-body.html USC Trojans Official site]