USC Has Most Often Busted When the Game Becomes 21

Let’s play a game of 21.

Here are 21 theories on why USC has blown two 21-point leads in a row--and three in two seasons--and reasons why it might or might not happen again Saturday against Cal.

1. It was National Lose a Lead Day. Michigan had a 20-point lead over Illinois Saturday and ended up with a 35-29 loss. Boston College was worse, taking a 28-point lead over Miami only to lose, 31-28.

2. Turnovers. USC, the national leader in turnover margin earlier this season, had three turnovers against Notre Dame and four against Stanford--the only times this season the Trojans have had more than two.

3. It’s John Robinson’s revenge: In Las Vegas, 21 is still a winner.

4. R. Jay Soward’s dropped pass. He gave USC the lead with a 64-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter against Stanford, but probably would have won the game if he held onto a bomb that would have gone for a 70-yard touchdown play in the fourth.

5. From the Voodoo School of Football, one reason it might happen again: Notre Dame quarterback Jarious Jackson, whose fumble was recovered in the end zone by a teammate for the winning touchdown, wears No. 7.

Stanford quarterback Todd Husak, who bounced the ball off the ground on a third-and-three play and recovered to scramble for a first down and keep the winning drive alive, wears No. 7.

Cal quarterback Kyle Boller, USC Coach Paul Hackett notes, wears No. 7.

6. Reason it won’t: This week, Hackett put the blame on the Trojans who have the most experience. Such as himself.

7. USC’s offense was on the field too long against Stanford. That’s right, offense. USC won the time-of-possession battle and the yardage battle, 587-456, but didn’t put enough points on the board.

What’s missing? The Trojan defense--which was such an addition to USC’s scoring output earlier in the season--didn’t score against Notre Dame or Stanford.

8. USC still hasn’t solved its penalty problem. Penalties have diminished since the record 21--there’s that number again--against Oregon. The Trojans have committed 11, six, three and eight since then.

Trouble is, they still come in crucial situations--and helped sustain scoring drives by Notre Dame and Stanford.

9. Reason it won’t happen again: Larry Parker, whose block in the back against Cal last year nullified Petros Papadakis’ 58-yard touchdown run during the Trojans’ 21-point collapse at the Coliseum, was last seen on the Kansas City Chief roster.

10. Reason it might: Linebacker Markus Steele, USC’s most gifted defensive player, has a nagging shoulder injury that will require surgery after the season. Although he can play, he can’t play every down--his shoulder and an ankle sprain limited him to 34 plays Saturday--and Darryl Knight will have to step up.

11. Luck of the Irish? OK. Luck of the Golden Bears? No way.

12. Cal’s Joe Igber, a freshman running back who rushed for 182 yards against Washington, has a mildly separated shoulder, but will play against USC.

13. Boller, Cal’s talented freshman quarterback from Newhall Hart High, is learning on the job but has thrown eight interceptions while completing 41% of his passes.

14. This week, when the Trojans score their third touchdown, they’re going for two.

15. Mike Van Raaphorst, the Trojan quarterback, set a school record with 415 yards passing against Stanford, but has thrown five interceptions in the last three games and fumbled twice.

16. USC’s new strategy: Scrubs play the first half, starters play the second.

17. For some reason, Trojan road woes don’t apply at Cal. The Trojans have won three in a row at Berkeley and five of their last six.

18. The Trojans have lost three games in a row but haven’t lost four in a row since 1991, when they lost their final six in Larry Smith’s next-to-last season as coach.

19. Mistake on Hackett’s oft-mentioned “chart” makes him popular at card parties: If you draw a king and an ace, always fold.

20. Reason it won’t happen again: Cal scored only 17 points against UCLA’s defense and averages less than 18 a game.

If USC can get to 21 against Cal, the lead ought to hold.

21. Final reason it won’t happen again: It can’t possibly--can it?