Killeen Comes Through

By David Wharton and Gary Klein

Nov. 28, 2004 12 AM PT

Something about having a week off agrees with Ryan Killeen.

By his own admission, the USC kicker has endured a rough season, making only nine of 18 field-goal attempts. His best game, a three-for-three outing against California, followed a bye week.

The same thing happened against Notre Dame on Saturday, the Trojans coming off a bye and Killeen making both his attempts.

“I had a lot of time to prepare and get mentally strong,” he said. “I had visions of knocking them through all week long.”

A 39-yard kick kept USC in the game, 7-3, early on. A 42-yarder gave the Trojans a 20-10 lead in the third quarter.

“Things haven’t been going my way, but I told myself I wasn’t going to get nervous or get worked up,” he said. “I was more calm tonight than I’ve ever been.”

A sellout crowd of 92,611 at the Coliseum helped USC break the home attendance record it set last season.

USC averaged 85,228 for six home games this season, breaking the record of 77,804.

Former Trojan running back Anthony Davis was honored at halftime. Davis scored 11 touchdowns against the Fighting Irish -- three on kickoff returns -- from 1972 to ’74.

Davis, 52, sprinted from the tunnel to midfield when introduced.

“It was one of the greatest days of my life,” Davis said of Saturday’s festivities.

USC’s 21st consecutive win at home broke the school record of 20 set in 1919-23 and 1927-29.... USC’s 31-point margin of victory marks the seventh time the Trojans have won by 30 points this season.

-- David Wharton

and Gary Klein

USC Sports

David Wharton

David Wharton has filled an array of roles – covering the courts, entertainment, sports and the second Persian Gulf War – since starting as a Los Angeles Times intern in 1982. His work has been honored by organizations such as the Society for Features Journalism and Associated Press Sports Editors and has been anthologized in “Best American Sports Writing.” He has also been nominated for an Emmy and has written two books, including “Conquest,” an inside look at USC football during the Pete Carroll era.

Gary Klein

Gary Klein covers the Los Angeles Rams for the Los Angeles Times. Before that, he covered USC’s football program and athletic department. He began working for The Times in the San Fernando Valley edition and has reported on high school, college and pro sports. He grew up in Southern California and graduated from Cal State Northridge.

Killeen Comes Through

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