Simmons Pulled It Together

Senior cornerback Antuan Simmons did not plan to give a speech to his teammates, but when Coach Pete Carroll called on him at the end of a team meeting the night before Saturday’s game at Arizona, Simmons knew what to say.

Simmons was worried about the offense and defense blaming each other for losses. “Not pulling apart,” he said. “We just weren’t patting each other on the back.”

His impromptu message became a theme for the Trojans in their 41-34 victory over the Wildcats, a game that featured big plays on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Carson Palmer completed 24 of 49 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense came up with six sacks and four interceptions, including two by defensive linemen Omar Nazel and Bobby DeMars. A number of players talked about Simmons’ speech as a motivating factor.

“Antuan is a leader on this team,” receiver Kareem Kelly said. “When he speaks, people listen.”

*

With the Trojans surrendering big chunks of yardage to kickoff returners in recent weeks, special teams coach Kennedy Pola was growing desperate.

So Pola loaded the squad with his fastest players--guys like safety Troy Polamalu, cornerback Chris Cash and safety Frank Strong--and ordered David Newbury to kick every ball high and short.

The big players in Arizona’s wedge simply called for fair catches and the Wildcats took possession of the ball around the 30-yard line.

*

Nickel back and returner Kevin Arbet injured his heel in the second quarter and watched the rest of the game on crutches from the sideline