There’s No Wardrobe Malfunction in Booth

USC radio play-by-play announcer Pete Arbogast wears a coat and tie to games.

Commentator Paul McDonald, preferring a more casual look, almost always wears a Hawaiian shirt.

The only time McDonald wore something else was two years ago at California, and the Trojans lost.

Since then, Arbogast has worn a Hawaiian shirt under his dress shirt. When the Trojans begin to struggle, as they did in games this season against Oregon, Arizona State, Notre Dame and Fresno State, Arbogast sheds the tie and dress shirt, and that always has done the trick.

On Saturday, when USC defeated UCLA, 66-19, no wardrobe change was needed.

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One falling moment: Hardly anything went wrong for the Trojans on Saturday. However, on one play in the first half, when USC was deep in UCLA territory, quarterback Matt Leinart went back to pass and fell down.

“A move like that will get you an F in ballroom dancing,” quipped radio station 710’s Rod Van Hook in the press box.

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Trivia time: Which famous two-sport athlete was named after a TV doctor?

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Brief abstinence: Soccer legend George Best, who died Nov. 25 and whose funeral was held Saturday in Belfast, Northern Ireland, was a notorious boozer and womanizer. He once told the BBC, “In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol. It was the worst 20 minutes of my life.”

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Good question: Randy Turner of the Winnipeg Free Press asks, “Which team is going to win more games this season, the Indianapolis Colts or the Toronto Raptors?”

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A Sirius quip: Howard Stern, who signed a five-year, $500-million contract with Sirius Satellite Radio in 2004, begins doing a morning show for the pay radio network Jan. 9.

Phil Jackson, who signed for not quite as much, begins doing a weekly show today.

“Howard Stern is following me,” Jackson noted.

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Name game: After Smush Parker scored during the Lakers’ game at Utah on Thursday night, TNT commentator Steve Kerr said to partner Marv Albert: “You love saying ‘Smush.’ I can hear it in your voice.”

Said Albert: “Once you start, you can’t stop.”

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Looking back: On this day in 1971, Willie Ellison of the Rams set an NFL record with 247 yards rushing in a 45-28 victory over the New Orleans Saints at the Coliseum. Also, teammate Travis Williams returned a kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown.

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Trivia answer: Vincent Edward Jackson, better known as Bo. When he was born Nov. 30, 1962, in the steel town of Bessemer, Ala., his mother named him after her favorite television actor, Vince Edwards, who portrayed Dr. Ben Casey on ABC.

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And finally: Of John McKay, Pat Haden says: “He could give it to the officials pretty good. One time he pointed at Traveler and told an official, ‘Look at that horse’s backside. The only difference between you and that horse is you are eligible to vote.’ ”

Larry Stewart can be reached at larry.stewart@latimes.com.