Carroll plays misty for his seniors

Pete Carroll could barely keep it together.

Standing before a capacity crowd at USC’s annual football awards banquet last month, Carroll was breezing through a speech when he glanced toward the Trojans’ seniors lined up across the stage.

“Always be humble,” Carroll said, his eyes welling.

“Always be kind,” he managed, his voice catching in his throat. “Always be respectful. Always compete.”

Carroll had reason to get misty. This season’s senior class, comprised mainly of players who enrolled in 2003 but also including several from 2004 and one from 2002, is leaving after having helped the Trojans win two national titles and five consecutive Pacific 10 Conference championships. (Running back Hershel Dennis, a sixth-year senior, also played for the 2002 Pac-10 champions.)

“It’s an amazing body of work that these guys have brought forth,” Carroll said a few minutes after his speech. “It hit me: ‘How am I going to do without these guys?’ ”

Today’s Rose Bowl game against Illinois marks the final time the seniors will play for a program that has put together one of the most successful runs in college football history.

USC is 69-8 in the last six seasons under Carroll. The Trojans are playing in their sixth consecutive Bowl Championship Series bowl game.

“I remember when I committed, I had people saying, ‘Why are you going there? They got beat by whoever in the [2001] Vegas Bowl,’ ” defensive end Lawrence Jackson said. “But I saw in the coaches and what they were telling me the makings of a good program. They just needed to get the pieces of the puzzle.”

Dennis was a member of the 2002 team that went 11-2 and beat Iowa in the Orange Bowl, setting the stage for an influx of talent that ranks among the best in USC’s storied history.

Running backs Reggie Bush, LenDale White and Chauncey Washington all played as first-year freshmen in 2003 when the Trojans went 12-1 and won the Associated Press national title.

In 2004, USC went 13-0 and won the BCS title.

“After redshirting my freshman year, we went undefeated and I didn’t think we would ever lose,” offensive tackle Sam Baker said. “Coach Carroll always talked about, ‘You can go as long as you want.’ ”

USC’s winning streak reached 34 games before Texas ended it in the 2006 BCS title game in the Rose Bowl.

Offensive lineman Drew Radovich said former players such as Kenechi Udeze, Shaun Cody, Mike Patterson and Lofa Tatupu provided the example for a run that included last year’s Rose Bowl victory over Michigan.

“We learned from the older guys what it takes to win,” Radovich said. “I think that’s why we struggled a little bit this year. Because our young guys maybe thought it just came with the program. ‘Hey, I’m going to put the cardinal and gold on and do it.’ ”

Said cornerback Terrell Thomas: “The difference in our class compared to other classes that came in is we all wanted to be great.”

Before his address to the seniors, Carroll introduced each one and called him to the stage. Quarterback John David Booty made a point of walking the length of the line to embrace or shake hands with every teammate.

“All the guys who’ve been a part of this program -- the starters, the backups, the service-team walk-ons, whatever -- really should feel a part of what we’ve done,” Booty said later. “It’s special, and we needed each and every one of those guys.”

Carroll felt the same way.

“The point for me is: They got it,” he said.

gary.klein@latimes.com

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

CLASS OF 2003

BCS bowl games for Class of 2003:

* 2004 Rose Bowl: USC 28, Michigan 14

* 2005 Orange Bowl: USC 55, Oklahoma 19*

* 2006 Rose Bowl: Texas 41, USC 38*

* 2007 Rose Bowl: USC 32, Michigan 18

* 2008 Rose Bowl: USC vs. Illinois, today

* denotes BCS title game

Class of 2003 by the numbers

*--* 1 Heisman Trophy winner 2 National championships 5 Pacific 10 Conference titles 6 All-Americans 8 NFL draft picks (and counting) *--*

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

A special class

The players who joined USC’s football program in 2003 will be remembered as one of the most successful classes in college football history. Many will conclude their five-year careers today when the sixth-ranked Trojans play 13th-ranked Illinois in the Rose Bowl.

* Jody Adewale, FB, Los Angeles: Former Roosevelt High star redshirted in 2003, then served as career backup. Coaches coaxed him to return as a graduate student for 2007 season to provide depth.

* Sam Baker, OL, Tustin: Redshirted as guard in 2003, then became four-year starter and three-time All-American at left tackle. Possible first-round pick in 2008 NFL draft.

* Chris Barrett, DL/TE, Tustin: Played two games in 2003 before injuries forced him to redshirt. Switched to tight end at midseason in 2004, then back to defense in 2005 before injuries cut short his career.

* John David Booty, QB, Shreveport, La.: Graduated from high school a year early, backed up Matt Leinart for three seasons and then led Trojans to two Pacific 10 Conference championships and Rose Bowls.

* Darnell Bing, S, Long Beach: Signed in 2002 but did not enroll until 2003. Three-year starter declared for 2006 draft and was selected by Oakland Raiders in fourth round.

* Reggie Bush, RB, Spring Valley, Calif.: Showed flashes of greatness as a freshman, starred as a sophomore and then won Heisman Trophy as a junior in 2005. Selected No. 2 overall by New Orleans Saints in 2006 draft.

* Will Collins, LS, Laguna Beach: Redshirted as walk-on in 2003, earned a scholarship as team’s long snapper the next season and will play in his 52nd consecutive game today.

* Mario Danelo, K, San Pedro: Redshirted as walk-on in 2003, became record-setting starter in 2005, died after fall from cliff in the week following the 2006 Rose Bowl.

* John Drake, OL, Long Beach: Large and loquacious JC transfer was a versatile backup and starter at guard and tackle for two seasons. Also provided media with some of best quotes in school history.

* Sedrick Ellis, DL, Chino: Redshirted in 2003, backed up Mike Patterson in 2004, then became dominant three-year starter and 2007 All-American. Possible first-round pick in 2008 draft.

* Lawrence Jackson, DL, Inglewood: Redshirted in 2003 and then became four-year starter, registering 49 tackles for losses, including 29 1/2 sacks. Selected All-Pacific 10 Conference in 2005 and 2007.

* Ryan Kalil, C, Corona: Played in six games in 2003 and then became three-year starter and anchor of offensive line. Selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of 2007 draft.

* Whitney Lewis, WR/RB, Oxnard: Played in eight games in 2003, academically ineligible in 2004, transferred to Northern Iowa after the 2005 season.

* Michael McDonald, QB, Newport Beach: Redshirted as walk-on in 2003, awarded scholarship in 2005, served as holder for field goals and extra points the last two seasons. Has thrown four passes, two for touchdowns.

* Alex Morrow, DL, Rohnert Park, Calif.: Redshirted in 2003 and has been a backup throughout his career. Made three tackles against Notre Dame this season, including two sacks.

* Will Poole, CB, New York: JC transfer who began career at Boston College made most of one season of eligibility, intercepting seven passes. Selected by Miami Dolphins in fourth round of 2004 draft.

* Drew Radovich, OL, Mission Viejo: Redshirted in 2003, was backup tackle in 2004 and redshirted in 2005 after hip surgery. Started at left guard in 2006 and right tackle in 2007.

* Desmond Reed, RB, Temple City: Redshirted in 2003, special teams standout in 2004 and 2005 before suffering torn knee ligaments and nerve damage against Notre Dame. Sure-handed punt-return specialist last two seasons.

* Drean Rucker, LB, Moreno Valley: Former Canyon Springs High star drowned off Huntington State Beach a few weeks before his first training camp was scheduled to begin in 2003.

* Steve Smith, FL, Canoga Park: Played behind Mike Williams and Keary Colbert as freshman, then became three-year starter and a 2006 All-American. Selected by New York Giants in second round of 2007 draft.

* Matt Spanos, OL, Corona: Redshirted in 2003, then was backup at guard and tackle for two seasons before was academically ineligible in 2006. Started at center this season despite torn right triceps.

* Terrell Thomas, CB, Alta Loma: Redshirted in 2003 after shoulder surgery, started two games in 2005 before season-ending knee injury. Started last two seasons and has eight career interceptions.

* Brandon Ting, DB, Woodside, Calif.: Graduated a semester early from high school and played on special teams and as a reserve in the secondary. Left team before 2006 season after testing positive for steroids.

* Ryan Ting, DB, Woodside, Calif.: Graduated a semester early from high school and played on special teams and as a reserve in the secondary. Left team before 2006 season.

* Chauncey Washington, RB, Torrance: Backup tailback and special teams player in 2003, he was academically ineligible in 2004 and 2005 but has led Trojans in rushing last two seasons.

* Ryan Watson, DL, River Ridge, La.: Redshirted in 2003 after arriving from John Curtis High, the school that produced current freshman Joe McKnight. Watson transferred to Southern Mississippi before the 2004 season.

* LenDale White, RB, Denver: Split time with Bush throughout career and rushed for Pac-10-record 52 touchdowns in only three seasons. Selected by Tennessee Titans in second round of 2006 draft.

* Thomas Williams, LB, Vacaville, Calif.: Redshirted in 2003, then became special teams standout and played all three linebacker spots over next four seasons. Also played fullback in 2006.

* Eric Wright, CB, San Francisco: Redshirted in 2003, then started four games in 2004 but was suspended from school in 2005 and transferred to Nevada Las Vegas. Selected by Cleveland Browns in second round of 2007 draft.

* Manuel Wright, DL, Long Beach: Signed in 2002 but did not enroll until 2003. Situational pass rusher for two seasons before applying for 2005 NFL supplemental draft. Chosen by Miami Dolphins in fifth round.

-- Gary Klein