Open date gives USC coaches a chance to hit recruiting trail

It's a strong start for Marcus Simmons and USC

The junior guard scores a career-high 18 points to help Kevin O'Neill get a victory in his debut as Trojans coach.

Mustain, Corp continue their role as backups to Barkley

The two say they understand that the coaches are going to stick with the freshman quarterback despite his recent struggles, and stay focused on helping the overall offense.

USC's Lewis stands alone in this crowd

As the only returning starter on a team that saw three stars leave early and a coach resign, the senior guard will be a marked man every time he's on court this season.

Trojans look for answers to debacle

Players try to regroup on the wake of 55-21 loss to Stanford.

Trojans' Matt Barkley to keep starting position

Coach Pete Carroll says he has no intention of replacing the freshman quarterback, who had a four-turnover performance in a 55-21 loss to Stanford on Saturday.

New Cardinal rule: Stanford has better players than USC

The tables have turned when it comes to the caliber of the athletes at the two football programs.

A culture crash for Trojans

Seven years of near-invincibility have gone down the drain this season, capped by the 55-21 loss to Stanford.

USC's November reign ends with shocking 55-21 loss to Stanford

Trojans suffer their first November defeat in Pete Carroll's nine seasons as coach, and it's one for the history books -- the Cardinal's 55 points are the most ever by a USC opponent.

Pete Carroll suffers another Stanford home invasion

The Cardinal has dealt the USC coach three of his four losses at the Coliseum in nine years with the Trojans.

Mistakes, rookie and otherwise, derail USC's Matt Barkley

Trojans' freshman quarterback loses a fumble and has three passes intercepted, and Stanford turns all four turnovers into touchdowns in its 55-21 victory.

Stanford offense poses another challenge for Trojans secondary

Toby Gerhart, the Cardinal's bruising running back, and quarterback Andrew Luck, a skilled passer and elusive scrambler, figure to test a unit that's been victimized before.

Joe McKnight wants to hang on to job as Trojans' punt returner

The junior running back has struggled holding on to the ball in the past, but with Damian Williams injured, he says he has improved his technique.

USC will face an old-school opponent: a two-way player on Stanford squad

As if it were the 1950s, the Cardinal's Owen Marecic plays both fullback and middle linebacker, two of the toughest positions. Stanford Coach Jim Harbaugh says, 'I've never seen a guy like this.'

Damian Williams out, Anthony McCoy returning against Stanford

Wide receiver Williams, who suffered an ankle sprain against Arizona State, officially is ruled out of Saturday's game at the Coliseum.

Trojans' first priority is fixing problems on third down

At 32%, USC is 106th among 120 major college teams in converting in those situations, so Coach Pete Carroll places more emphasis on it in practice.

USC's Matt Barkley wants to get the shine back

Having struggled of late, Barkley is no longer considered the Pac-10's top freshman quarterback, a designation now given to Stanford's Andrew Luck.

Fullback Havili will be back to help USC's struggling offense

He will start against Stanford after missing most of the last three games with a shoulder injury. He hopes to give a boost to the team, saying, 'We need more life out there.'