USC Gets Penn St. in Classic

Michigan couldn’t see its way clear to play USC in the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 27 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., to open the 2000 season, so Penn State stepped in.

Less than 24 hours after Michigan had backed out Wednesday night, after having tentatively agreed to play in the game if a suitable opponent could be found, the Nittany Lions agreed to play the Trojans.

It will be the second time in five seasons those teams have opened the season in the Kickoff Classic. In 1996, seventh-ranked USC lost to No. 11 Penn State in Giants Stadium, 24-7.

USC is coming off a 6-6 record last season, after having lost quarterback Carson Palmer because of a broken collarbone in the third game.

But with all but one starter back on defense and Palmer returning to lead the offense, along with receiver Kareem Kelly, the Pacific 10 freshman of the year, USC should be picked to finish near the top of the Pacific 10 Conference.

Penn State, which finished with a 10-3 record and a No. 11 ranking after a late-season swoon, will have nine starters back--but only two on defense--from the team that snuffed Arizona’s hopes of being a national contender with a 41-7 victory over the Wildcats in the Pigskin Classic last season.

“We are honored to be invited to play in the Kickoff Classic,” USC Coach Paul Hackett said. “It’s always a big game whenever the Pacific 10 and Big Ten conferences get together.”

Also, USC’s home game against San Jose State has been moved from Sept. 16 to Sept. 23.