2002 USC Football - A Season to Remember

[Music] and a band plays on fight on as the USC Trojans Braille is showed well here in florida tonight and on that magical miami night the 2002 us Trojans return to the pinnacle of college football accepting every challenge thrown to them and playing the nation's toughest scheduler games they captured a share of the pac-10 title and then came across the nation to win in the Orange Bowl blasting the big 10 coach ampion it was an amazing year for Pete Carroll and his team I'm Tim Ryan and for the next hour I want you to join me on a review of USC football 2002 here is their story here is their Chronicle it was indeed a season to remember [Music] the final spring practice at the Los Angeles Coliseum and the Trojans 2002 journey begins sprint rain was really important in my mind to see if we could recapture the the work ethic and the enthusiasm and the intensity that we had during the terrific season the year before more than any specific position need or any of that it was collectively could we come about that tremendous intensity that we had we had reached in the way we've prepared that gave us a chance to have a good football season and I was really excited about it because every day we went out guys battled the new leadership took over and guys seemed to have a real feel for how we work here and then when we carried in the spring oh yeah there's a family atmosphere especially with the guys I mean we've been through we've been through such hard times that only made us closer together through the hard times so the problems aren't enough to feel we can deal with it we always deal with as much group game one and the welcome mat came out for the Auburn Tigers joined by a contingent of Navy fighter jets and a national television audience the Trojans dominated early with defense then the nation got a look at the USC offense [Applause] Albarn drove down the field only to be turned back on an interception by Omar nasal [Applause] the final 24 to 17 and the USC defense made a definite impression I mean it started in that first orbit game when I saw it on TV and I mean they were swarming they were everywhere and I said oh man this looks like he's gonna be a great year [Music] it was on to the Rocky Mountains and a date with the Colorado Buffaloes [Music] early on the Trojans proved to be inhospitable guests with body rocking hits like this offer back to pass rolls the pocket beat chase goes on the run complete to carry coal but across the 43 yard line and a first [Applause] please hand off the pins he up the middle get so hit the tail he said [Music] [Applause] and safety Troy Polamalu continued his all-american quest Hajj goes in the shotgun [Applause] the codes adapted right back Jason leach stepped in front of the intended receiver DJ hacker than the Johnsons have it back play-action roll the other wide open catches diving at the 45-yard line first down USC and it's Palmer to sneak it in the end zone touchdown USC Polamalu in the USC defense wrecked havoc on the Colorado team all afternoon long holding them without a touchdown they also set up the special teams snap back into the end zone it goes Trojans will pick it up and it is a touchdown you the drop to pass being chase being sat drops the ball picked up by the truth until on Ramsey he's at the 15 the pan down to the nine yard line darrel Poston capped off the scoring in this 42 three win [Applause] [Music] Genet was off to the nation's heartland Manhattan Kansas and the Kansas State Wildcats for some physical tough football early on it became readily apparent that this was going to be one of the most physical games of the year in college football there was hard hitting on both sides of the ball [Applause] while us motion comes back this way rather fancy picks it up touchdown see leave it to the defense to come up with a big play in a huge moment the Trojan passing attack and carry Kolbert found success in the first half [Applause] at the 20 outside at the 15 he's at the gym the clock ran out on the Trojans at one of the game's toughest stadiums [Music] Carson Palmer and the Trojans came back to Los Angeles where they were greeted by family and friends the Coliseum looks friendly as fans and former players gathered near the peristyle into the fabled stadium they demonstrated wide tradition means so much to this program and before the game Pete Carroll reminded his team that togetherness wins titles well they listened to Pete Carroll and took his words to heart and just like old times pounded Oregon State's quarterback Derek Anderson into the turf [Applause] in the second half the home crowd and a national television audience got more of the same USC didn't let up on the visitors from Corvallis USC shut out Oregon State which had been one of the top scoring teams in all of college football the offense was efficient if not spectacular the first pac-10 win of the year was in the books 22 to nothing [Music] togetherness has always meant titles and the Trojans needed every bit of it traveling to Pullman and a duel with Washington State early on USC established a running game in the Palouse McCullough starts left right up the middle 20 he's at the 15 pick side the 10 still honor speak down to the 6 yard line soap Don McCullough has been all back and you'll get the call again he's into the end zone touchdown USA in injury to safety Troy Polamalu sideline the all-american instead of folding the USC defense hung tough when Washington State threatened to break the game wide open five receiver set gets her drive to the epitome he won't get had he stopped by Pollard drove it back at the one-yard line the Trojans hold that take over on downs first down USA [Applause] down feel the right side inside the 20 USC got some breaks in the second half [Music] Palmer up under center Catholic drops the pass quickly throws Mackenzie dopant in the 10 SEC's inside the five he's got a touchdown USC Trojans have the lead Palmer quick draw dancing scrolls late in the game the Trojans drove into the shadow of the cougar endzone and Carson Palmer takes it in himself the furious USC come back then continued as the defense took advantage of Washington State mr. Layton takes some tremendous kicking and an overtime miracle denied the Trojans of victory that night but it set the stage for success it was a playoff run from then on and we had to win every game to to give ourselves a chance and so we just you know we weren't about it in that fashion I really felt like it was an NFL playoff run that we were involved in you know one game and you're out possibly and so we didn't spend a lot of time on that part of it that did make it clear and and we just went about her business it was it was somewhere even before that we started to catch our stride but that was a really significant because we had missed a golden opportunity when to the team we wind up tying with for the championship it was time to step up and the playoff run Pete Carroll talked about began at home against California down 21 the Trojans proved what they were made up west Palmer drops they pick it up he loved pastor Colburn up in the air makes a catch in the 35 [Applause] thirty-four honor sets the throw has to trouble steps up and yet sack or does the Oikawa long downfield Mike Williams is all open makes the catch [Applause] Maureen Kelly touchdown was like a little Joe Montana esque to de white Clark quick drop throws Williams catchers and [Applause] at halftime they honored one of the trojan greats all-american Ronnie Lott was honored for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame and in the same tradition usc's running attack took over in the second half the Bears were back on their heels and USC scored three times [Applause] USC's defense kept the pressure on quarterback Kyle Boller throughout the game and the difference was crucial a final field goal from kicker Ryan Killeen proved to be the difference in the 30 28 pac-10 victory but this would be a costly win all-american candidate Shawn Cody was lost for the year still this comeback was an inspirational victory coming in the Cal game and beating down 21 nothing and realizing that that we're better than this team that's on the field you know we're better these guys we should beat these guys and you know we don't need to hurry we don't need to do anything spectacular just need to run the offense and and offenses we're gonna put up points and we slowly started to chip our way back and started to get a lead and then we started to build on that and they made a late run but you know there wasn't one guy on our team that thought we were gonna lose that game we knew we're gonna be out on top I was at the Cal game and there was a point in that game where it didn't look like they had the opportunity to be a great team and yet I think in that game you saw something there that was really special you saw something in terms of people fighting that was in that was a tough game because they lost one of their top players the defensive linemen and I know that everybody in the locker room at halftime you could see that their hearts went out to this gentleman and and and yet you can also see them playing for him in the second half hard-hitting safety troy polamalu return to action against the Washington Huskies and the media built up the duel between Carson Palmer and husky quarterback Cody Pickett the Trojans were fired up for this [Applause] there's one more day I'll bet you got you keep it to me so I keep it on football but one ball today one heartbeat one mine one big time when I meet you here it's all over [Music] a large Coliseum crowd and a regional television audience saw the special teams set the tone for the day that's when Carson Palmer went to work teaming up with freshman Mike Williams on a perfect strike for a touchdown he then wanted more Palmer looking over the top throwing long for Kerry Colver behind the defense ticket with no backs drops the pass rush by Riley hit by Riley sack sack five Oh Barney's ell at the 45-yard line a loss of eight third and seven Palmer to pass looking at the end zone [Applause] pigley 20 one more time ticket throw [Applause] play-action palmer throws complete will [Applause] touchdown for Mike Williams ticket drops to throw over the middle intercepted [Applause] come back look out Zach could eat cheese and juices back at the 8 yard line [Applause] partners up the middle chair just while Justin Fargas got the score the attention of the nation began to shift towards Carson Palmer the position of quarterback has changed so dramatically in college football including at USC and I think Carson Palmer's year last year was kind of indicative how it's changed when we play we're primarily a running team if you threw the ball you know 20 times a game it was a lot and they won with defense and we won with run the running game we sprinkled in a few passes but now the game is so much more more passing game it's an up-tempo fast game and I think you you have to have a dominant player at that position if you're gonna compete for the the pac-10 crown or national championship one of the toughest ven used to play in olive college football Autzen Stadium Eugene Oregon in the past this has been a graveyard for USC football fortunes and on that day fans were treated to one of the most entertaining offensive shows in college football 2002 for a touchdown USC Carson Palmer to the light bowl Mackenzie with his third touchdown catch of the year 2nd down and 10 inside screen Williams catches 25 he's at the 20 he's gone touchdown USC Palmer a Williams the freshman have teamed up again and the two jhin's have regained the advantage under two to go in the first 1413 Palmer drops pumps throws long into coverage looking for Kolbert bags the camps inside the 10 down to the 6 yard line how did he do it pump fake once going long in the endzone it is a touchdown USC Kareem Kelley on the long one of 31 yards and the Trojans have regained the lead Carson Palmer finding his old friend Kareem Kelly drops to pass and his sack back at the 20 yard line Palmer takes the snap from cat neck drops to pass throws long Mike Williams behind everybody has to wait for it catches at the 25 still on his feet inside the 20 down to the 15 yard line I didn't think anybody could outrun Palmer McKenzie slides away in motion long pitch right side Fargus cuts it back into the 15th telemetry at the 10 he's at the 5 he's in the end zone touchdown USA and it's a McCulloch again gets the left side 30 25 down to the 20 cuts it back into the 16 yard line what's better than a last one one that first down trips on the rights type formation that way Palmer drops the pass on first down throws over the middle Williams all along touchdown USC Mike Williams with another touchdown catch this freshman is incredible on 3rd and 10 5 drops to throw looking left throws and it is intercepted by champ Simmons nope is it incomplete and it's intercepted we're waiting for the officials call it hit him in the bag get rolled around up in the air but it never touched the ground and Simmons laying on his back felt look where I found here it's a big Easter Egg it's colored brown its first down SC at the Oregon 46 Palmer drops the throw looking in the end zone rolls the pocket right throws over the middle McKenzie dives catches at the 3 into the end zone touchdown USC Palmer to McKenzie their second connection of the day 4 7 and the Trojans haven't 4219 5 rolls right hand run doesen't throws back against the grain into Howry knocked away incomplete Marcel almond coach ins take over on downs with 1351 to go in the game waiting for the snap dick is away got the distance and it's good hey nice kick for Ryan Killeen about that that'll help us confidence yes indeed drop straight back to pass intercepted by red Oh out of bounds at the 30 yard line Trojans get it right back that's not often that five throws an interception only his third of the year and Bruno steps in front of Willis and makes the interception and returns it to the 30-yard line of the Trojans just like that get it right back that was just it was an opportunity to put Oregon behind us and we hadn't been able to do that we're very close the year before and then had a chance to win with you know just seconds on the clock but this was significant it was a message sent and and for our football team and just for ourselves that we were we were ready and we had taken a huge step forward well past where the program had been in the last few years no I know SC we hadn't we hadn't beat Oregon some years so you know to go out there and then for coach to give me the start and give me the opportunity and you know I was able to come through for the team and we were able to get a big win over Oregon in their place and we signed us there crowd right away it was just it was a great feeling a somber mood prevailed in the locker room at Stanford the Trojans knew they were on a roll towards something special could they keep it going now pac-10 leadership was on the line towards now play with confidence you know what we're doing gonna play real well today stay there nothing clubs all parking and other bonus trackers no nothing's gonna get in the way [Applause] the setting may have been Northern California but before an enthusiastic Bay Area crowd and a large contingent from the Southland USC's defense went to work early from the 15 offset to the right side motion that coming this way and it's an end-around to grant Mason he wants to throw perhaps but he gets stuck back at the 10 and the Trojans swarming on defense come up to make the hit back at the 11 yard line a loss of four third and 11 makes the snap kicks it from his own 40 low line drive that's okay bounces at the 20 hit a cardinal justin Wyatt's got it doujins ball 17 yard line same thing happened the other way around but this time the Trojans pick it up just in Hawaiian first and 10 at the Stanford 17 Gunther slides away in motion quick drop pump fake Palmer going deep in the end zone all alone Carey Kolbert touchdown USC and the Trojans have the early lead and simply put the USC offensive explosion couldn't be stopped back to pass Palmer throwing long over the middle gun Alex home got the 15 catches in stride guy of Florida the yard line down to the 11 big catch for Alex Holmes that'll be 27 yards which is his best of the year as Palmer rushed from behind goes over the middle Williams hazard spins and turns dices way into the endzone touchdown the USC Carson Palmer to Mike Williams one mo time backs in the eye on third and goal at the 2 Trojan fans screaming for defense handoff nope rolling right Kyle Manor in trouble hit once hit twice grew to good Saxum back at the 10 handoff and it's Fargas again right side pulses went to the 5 keeps on pushing he's in the end zone touchdown Justin Fergus touchdown USA and this is a Justin fargus at his best underneath the moonlight the nightmare continued for Stanford's Cardinal play-action Farber looking the other way off the field all alone covert 5 to walk touchdown USC mil dippity-do kind of fooled everybody and Kolbert was all alone at the 5:00 a 13-yard touchdown catch both that's good percentage look now Paul Amato's got him no completion there as the sack of manner by Troy Polamalu at the 16 yard line five tackles for Paul Amato and his second sack of the season third and long second down and nine mater looks left looks right throws it tapped up in the air and intercepted by Kenichi you deiay at the 16-yard line captain up the volleyball did to himself Mick Haley be proud of that one hoodie team Palmer quick drop throw over the middle all alone Holmes five touchdown Alex home touchdown us I finally got 122 yards and Alex Holmes gets his first touchdown catch of the Year third of his career the Trojans are up 34 to 10 pitch back this way McKenzie the tail back at the 45 40 up the sideline tight rope 30 25 steps back in at the 20 to the 15 tackled backwards after the 13 yard line by Collin branch the huge game 37 yards from Aleppo McKenzie of USC his longest run of the year and the Trojans have it first and 10 at the 13 USC 149 to 17 while the offense was super the Stanford game was a perfect showcase for the intense Troy Polamalu the all-american was brilliant he took command of the defense and pressured the Cardinal all game long he attacked from all angles here indeed is one special player and it was clearly a showcase for the new defensive scheme of Pete Carroll and his staff not only did Polamalu excel he also gained the admiration of his coach yeah he's perfect they just quiet strength work ethic standards expectations manner in which he he carries his own self and humble and just courageous and everything everything you're looking for in leader [Music] with soldiers all becoming fellows what we're all about here here we got plaintiffs on a hometown crowd homecoming day this is one of our great opportunities of our season right now to rise up and play with a homecoming day crowd at the Coliseum awaited Carson Palmer and USC on this November day they went down the tunnel to face Arizona State the idea of winning and winning big was catching fire and in the homecoming tradition the Trojans took the field looking to continue their winning ways it was a streak it was capturing the imagination of the nation early on the tenacious trojan defense made life miserable for Sun Devil quarterback Andrew Walter meanwhile Palmer and Mike Williams teamed up on another touchdown strike then senior Sultan McCullough and the USC running game came alive McCullough right side behind the student body outside [Applause] if you let him to get outside and Greg Gunther made a great block to spring suit amico outside it's adios Palmer hands it off nope keeps it looking back against the grand closed [Applause] see Walter drops to pass hit by goethe good blow the game open before the half Walter drops to pass looking long [Applause] 3:13 to go in the head leading at the half the Trojans went into the locker room looking to continue their rapid start [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] time energy in this half big time energy left for let's give you let's make sure offense will start this thing off center single that you ready to play ready can you not little extra time to get warmed up when you hit that let's be ready to fight second half sixteen Baldr drops to pass number sixteen throws a lob pass and it is [Applause] tried to throw it away didn't look far enough if Dashon Hilda waffle get that one and off fargus up the middle touch has taken control this football game and given the Trojans a two-touchdown lead as a good block pull back chant Pearson blown up Jamar Williams linebacker for the Sun Devils and opening the running room for Justin Fargus that's a great bit of run it was all Justin Fargas on that drive to get the touchdown for the Trojan see what they're going to do now in the backfield they should be able to get this handoff coming outside [Applause] no pressure intercept detected through the grief in the 25 down the [Applause] a great chance to put this football game away third down Palmer sneaks into the end zone I'm gonna tell you something there's something I love that win tonight I love that win because we did it again if we came back and prove but know how to focus we know how to be disciplined as a football team we know how to keep our our aim right on the target you did a great job the last two weeks November's halfway done fellas a big game coming up right now cuz it's the only game we can play I want to tell you this I don't want to hear nothing about last year cuz that fact and last year it means absolutely nothing to me boom doesn't mean and it shouldn't meet you either I'm a true here it is what we did yesterday don't mean nothing it's what we're gonna do now we're gonna stay with how we do it we're going to focus the way we focus we're gonna stay on the track [Applause] which each other because when we go out of here in a couple of minutes we owe it to ourselves we owe it to each and every one of us to train every ounce of energy don't go back you're going back and wrong and you let us all down right so go out there play free play back like we know how to play fine fine oh no the guy's the big-time big-time heart [Applause] Daryll Rados pregame speech had the Trojans fired up they went down the tunnel into the floor of the Rose Bowl always in unimaginable feeling they were headed into a battle as part of college athletics most storied inner-city rivalry there really isn't anything in the country like USC UCLA childhood friends find themselves on different sides of the ball and neighbor versus neighbor in the spirit of athletic competition it is the matchup that captures the imagination of sports fans throughout the world running on to the field of battle is a unique experience and on this day the Trojans were out to dominate from the beginning [Applause] [Music] but here's the kickoff it's a low line bounces in this corner haha to the 20 up the middle hit by lead trouble the football the Trojans Hammond 34 yard line gets recovered by USC my grant Mendelson SC's got it right out of the chute out do you new Palmer drops to throw going for the touchdown for Kelly he catches his own the first player the game 34 yards and the Trojans have the lead how do you do right out of the chute gunther on the right bolts on the left the two tight end formation was one back Fargus Vargas gets the play-action throw law looking for Colburn he's open catches at the 10 he's to the five he's in the end zone touchdown you 52 yards in the score be tricky manic the mouth would UCLA sent Justin Farkas wide left back to pass on first down Palmer he's hit in the backfield but gets away still on his feet he'll run in 2015 did he get in I don't think so but down to the one what a gutty play by Carson Palmer oh I think Carson's heroic you know take off and run down the sidelines was just icing on the cake for kind of a career statement for him you know that he would do anything he could possibly do to win a game for the Trojans in the end he did it on that play and I think it was a signature play for him [Applause] Hunter Center takes the snap gives to Fargas into the end zone touchdown us it's 20 to nothing getting along - Matt our quarterback he's from the heart high school as is every quarterback in the pac-10 fumble the snap again this one's loose the Trojans might have got it they do next a football the UCLA 13 yard line third and goal Palmer drops to pass throws over the middle my life beau McKenzie standing there all alone makes the catch touchdown USC [Applause] [Music] first attend at the Trojan forty-year cup the Bruins trying to get back with him two touchdowns late in the first half more drops the pass not much of a rush now he's flushed at the pocket and sack like in each you deiay back at the 43-yard line no days they were the seventh sack of the season for us see the fans reveled in the halftime lead but in the locker room this USC team wanted more it all fired up and run out of here all jacked up the fighting the flame Oh ain't the kind of burn I'm talking about I want this to burn for 30 minutes I want you to prove I want you to be satisfied with nothing I want you to burn every step of the way keep it burning keep it burn keep it burning to the fire so we can do this I want everybody pulling together we beat one heart one heart laughs Kolbert right reverse coming the other way is Kolber behind a block by nobody everybody's out there over to the 20 10 5 touchdown USC the reverse I was looking for guys to block there was nobody there but Trojans Carson Palmer leading the way 35 yard Gary Coleman a rushing touchdown and the Trojans have another score second down and 10 at the 27 under pressure ball is dropped fumbled it's picked up by the Trojans they've got it out near midfield will it be an incomplete pass or a fumble I think it's a fumble and if so I think the Trojans have picked up another turnover out near the midfield stripe it is USC ball [Applause] roll over the middle and his Gunther the tight end that gets the ball in the end zone for his first career touchdown the big six eight basketball player with a touchdown USC Olson at quarterback has gone all but a couple of series for UCLA was shaken up at the end of the first half wants to throw and throw long and it's going to be picked off intercepted by Marcel almond back at the 45 yard line 44 yard line for UCLA almond with his first interception wide receiver I don't think so and man his a defensive back and the Trojans get it right back Moulson will throw up he can but he can't he's sacked by Kenichi days they dropped the football Trojans have the ball at the 17 yard line McKenzie M Denis first animal are at the 30 25 20 15 10 5 touchdown mercial Denis his first touchdown as a Trojan welcome to the big game with a guy [Applause] in the tradition of winners the coach was dumped by his team in victory celebration he expected that but there was one surprise for Pete Carroll he didn't expect his team carried him off the field for all the years of coaching for Pete Carroll this was a first for the veteran coach you don't send this whole you bit humble be selfless and I'll catch you today man you just heard I'm a balled out [Applause] there's so many things that happen so well it was just from start to finish you came to play football the way we wanted to get it done I'm so proud to be part of them he did baby pig with a big suckers ain't never been in that situation before I would say I've been dreaming about it for a long time so I've been coaching one time I want you to feel that good about the game that that going to happen I thank you so much [Applause] [Music] when we Emilia better team that we know was a rivalry game and and people just kind of play way over their heads and we were expecting them that to do a lot more than they did and hold up a lot more than they did but like I said we had that snowball thing going we were just rolling and and I think that game we were pretty much unstoppable well I don't I don't think they really had a chance to slow us down and you know we came out and scored so early so quickly that they knew the game was over in the fourth quarter [Music] nothing like you know a packed game at the Coliseum you know SC versus Notre Dame that's no that's as good as it gets really hung up I remember during getting recruited in high school going to see those games and everything and feel the atmosphere and to really have been a part of it and experience that that type of game situation that type of rivalry and it was the best you know there's nothing like that if one storied rivalry wasn't enough up next for the Trojans was the University of Notre Dame this is the most intense intersectional rivalry in all of college football it's the game of legends it's the game of memories and it's the one that burns in a player's heart on this night there was a sellout crowd in the Coliseum a national primetime television audience and all the pageantry that befits this type of game it's a unique experience for all and it was the last visit as a player to usc's legendary home field for the seniors on us C's roster is the day you give it all up Boyd's this is the one right now we go ahead give it all up from every time a frickin sideline come on everybody in this the whole way we were great focus we want great enthusiasm great energy want to have so much fun playing football we can't even stand ourselves when it's all over now one thing to distract us from what we're doing no demonstrations don't take it out on your own nothing I want it all to be about the Trojans the first-class way that's taking us right to here this moment you have created every opportunity fellas you've done it all by the way we've gone about it we got one more shot here today [Applause] [Music] Carson Palmer just so many emotions run through your body being at one place and such a great University for five long years and and some some tough seasons and to go into that game in a situation we were in and you know all the talk about you know it's a BCS deciding game you know who's gonna go to BCS game who's gonna get the big bowl berth and national television and everybody wanted to know if we were for real and everybody wanted to know if they were for real and just to go out and play the way we did and for all the seniors it's just so I'm so happy for all the seniors to enjoy their last game with the Coliseum against their their archrival and it was the biggest game of any of our careers and to play the way we did in front of a packed Coliseum was amazing backheel get the call cover the body [Applause] 25 20 15 Justin was just jumping over a would-be tackler 47 yards first down USC holiday drops rolls throws over the middle intercepted arrow at the 40 35 is at the 30 20 [Applause] the intercept of the Trojans that is his second of the season for USC in a nice 29 yard return as well first down USC will throw though up the sideline bird Oh interception number two now knocked up in the air he hit the double shot he'll and gets tackled at the 41-yard line about a four yard return Rideau hit the ball and his anticipation of getting a second consecutive interception cover the air to DeSean Hill and for Hill his second interception of the year and the Trojans get it right back with 2:14 to go in the half the pulper right Kelly laughs Carson drops pass sets up in the pocket throws over the middle away [Applause] take a shot baby you got to have a quarterback like Carson Palmer and a wide receiver like Mike Williams though to execute that that's what they had to do excellent come Pete Arbogast throw it down the field and the execution of the slant route seemed route really was outstanding in front of us has done [Applause] USC led at the half but thirsted for more it's right there dojo [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Palmer quick drop throw over the middle inch complete out the flat mrs. Granville's 30 twenty-five sleepwalker [Applause] in the 40-yard line the tackle 41 yards past run catch by Grant Meadows who sniff our command clearly as long as reception of his career in two years the senior out of Foothill junior college in Northern California the coaches have a first to go in the Irish 14 yard line second down and 11 from the 15 Vargas ended running back McKenzie slotted left tight formation of both sides with a flip left side pond5 McKenzie at the pan stepped back into the [Applause] at the Coliseum 15-yard by 10:00 this is what Norm Chow so great at get bunched the receivers in this company had two receivers [Music] hand off grant [Applause] got it back at the 27 but even so it's going to be fourth down what about a nice turnover for the Trojans hit by Poul Ivalo ball popped out but I think he fell back on the ball and if he did Tom Lipinski did it'll be fourth down another three and out the Trojans have forced another punt gun Carlisle holidays pass steps up in the pocket wants to run trip big chase handoff McCullough right-side 10 5 [Applause] can you say New Year's Day and slip past bobble caught by the Trojans [Applause] another score puts him over the 40 point mark again McKenzie the great one-handed bottling act finally Carter as he crossed the goal line you got to put a smile on your face about my life with McKenzie coming back for his sixth year Carson Palmer a hawk reads blitz throws a quick no.1 on the flat bobble Bobble bobble by the light from the kids he's still running to the sidelines the bowls are in suspended animation in midair jumping on his shoulder pad in his hand he reels it in and makes two Irish myths for the touchdown ending in frustration here against these Irish not today sack holiday hit by polo ball oh that's the way to end here career Troy Polamalu one of three finalists for the Thorpe Award and that vote will be announced in a week or so and pull them all though jogs off the field and what might be his final play and cardinal and gold here at the Coliseum trips left twin receivers right Holliday drops back to his 13 steps up in the pocket throws and it is intercepted at the 36 yard line that is intercepted by Mike Pollard and the Trojans happened 236 the Pollard his first interception of his career in his final home game as a Trojan the victory was the largest since 1974 a fact not lost on a Trojan legend from that game and it just reminds you of some of the great moments of us of the past you know especially the Notre Dame game I mean when when Carson Palmer was driving that team down it wasn't as dramatic and exciting is that the years of the past but it was still exciting because it showed people and show the country that USC was back just like that climax of that game USC has four Heisman Trophy winners all known for their heroics on the field Carson Palmer was one of the finalists in 2002 and on the big day the last Heisman winner remembered the latest candidate you know I feel like he's my little brother honestly I don't know if you know the story I'm ticked at this a couple of times but he was I guess at the ceremony and I called his dad and left a message on this phone and his father called me back I wasn't expecting a call but he called me back and then he put Carson on the phone and I wished him luck and I I said really regardless of what happens you're a winner in my book you've had an outstanding season you've handled yourself with class and dignity you really you know did well I think especially during this rough start and to see worried you know how he managed that and how he got through that and how he obviously rose to the occasion I was really happy for him anytime somebody hand you the phone says it's Marcus Allen you know the one of the best running backs ever to play the game you get a little bit nervous and I was a lot a bit nervous just that I never talked to him never met him and you know for him to take time out of his day and and just to say hello and congratulations just for being there was it's amazing I'll never forget that conversation with him and and then to go through the heisman experience and actually win it and and be part of be part of those guys you know OJ and Charles and Mike Garrett and him and you know to have your name mentioned with those guys is is something and you know you can't ever it's never really gonna hit home I'm never gonna come back down to earth it realized that that's what happened it gives me great honor to announce the winner of the 2002 Heisman Memorial Trophy and the winner is Carson Palmer as Palmer accepted the latest Heisman for USC he remembered all who helped him including his coach a man who has turned the USC football program back to where it belongs on top and so much of that is Coach Carroll on his staff he's instilled that just the the pride into the program again it was lost for so long and so many people just kind of came in deci and played FC and what he's gotten back is that fear of playing that scene and his coaching his coaching staff and what he's done with the program to get it where it is now it's gonna be tough because it's always tough to stay on top it's it's easy to get up there and then to fall back down but if there's if there's another better man on this in this country another better coach that they could do a better job than what Coach Carroll is done and and do the job of keeping SC on top I don't know I don't know that there is I don't think there's a better man for that job I think Pete has got these guys again believing that they're they have what it take what it takes to be a great football team he's just such an enthusiastic guy he belongs where he is right now and he's good at college coaches there is I think well coach Cal bringing us back meant that he he knew the tradition and the history that we have here and that he was trying to use everything to inspire his players the tradition is back you know back on the top back winning and you know you're in Southern California's no better place and you know as long as Coach Carroll keeps keeps doing what he's doing and and the talent keeps coming you know there's there's no limit you know this should be a dynasty again [Music] it is truly one of the great scenes in all of college football more than 72,000 fans have come from as far as Los Angeles and Iowa City to convert this Sun and fun capital of the world to a football paradise this has been the most anticipated most intriguing matchup of the bowl season player stadium is electric it's the FedEx Orange Bowl number four the BCS it's the Hawkeye's of Iowa and the Southern Californians this is how we have always played we will always play I want you to give it up every step of the way we ain't got nothing to hold back tonight now I want guys on the sidelines chilly when that offense comes off the offensive catchy beating their face and vice versa I want the energy to play this game now get it all together one heartbeat and that's all we know ain't nobody get hairless if that's the way we go I know you're gonna go that way get us in real time cardboard one heartbeat heartbeat oh don't read what do [Applause] touchdown Trojans sick any goal from the 6 [Applause] All pac-10 first teamer that's his a Louis breaks it out [Applause] Ruta good it is gruta good who knocked it out so palmer immediately rolls to the light closer strike and it's down to the 35 yard line this is a 35 yard attempt by Killeen this one has the distance and is good we give them 15 yards and they still can't score here I'm saying hey go get no more points on us ain't getting nothing yeah initially fight your ass off the whole way the way we know how to do it and make our adjustments right now get these things right make sense for the coaches touchdown [Applause] touchdown Trojans [Applause] well I can tell you this carson palmer's just taking this game over he looks in complete control and he's coming off that game where he threw for 225 yards against Notre Dame [Applause] banks three-step drops strike first down look out all the way out to the 35-yard line goes Kari Kohlberg now as Mike Williams I mean he had such a great stretch there in the middle of the season 80 of perception this year doing CWA freshman record brakes attack inside the 20 still on his feet at the 10 Showtime become of [Applause] pick up a 31 - five color peach aqua Cola and USC as the cornerbacks out safety boy Jason leach just read that absolutely perfectly his Drive [Applause] five yards out with a touchdown and sunny Berg the guy they really enjoy gets his name in the record books and they'll be playing remember what that was a year ago today that sick feeling we don't know that feeling talked to people about what we have accomplished this season I want you to do it the way we've been doing with first class was stop it's so important the way we do things we ain't like nobody else get fellas we're different and we're going to continue to be zip as we continue to excel to the top of this whole thing we went as far as we can take an argument [Applause] while this is a picture of the past eyes are turned forward for USC football and its future it is a jewel that shines brightly for fans players coaches and those who love this school this game and this memory thanks for joining me I'm Tim Ryan [Music]

Channel: One Hour Football

Views: 7,214

Rating: 5 out of 5

Keywords: USC Trojans, One Hour Football, Carson Palmer, Troy Polamalu, Pete Carroll, 2003 Orange Bowl

Id: CgwxQi47FoI

Length: 60min 13sec (3613 seconds)

Published: Sat May 04 2019