Los Angeles Times: Thorn in Their Stride

USC has lost once in its last 43 games, at Cal in 2003, and Trojans hope to make amends for it when they return to Berkeley today
By Gary Klein, Times Staff Writer
BERKELEY — USC Coach Pete Carroll remembers hiking to the top of Memorial Stadium, a way to pass time after his team arrived too early for its carefully rehearsed pregame routine. Senior tight end Dominique Byrd can still hear the California fans from beyond the stadium walls, screaming their lungs out from Tightwad Hill. And senior quarterback Matt Leinart will never forget throwing three interceptions.
But USC's most vivid recollection from its last visit here is of the final result: a heart-stopping, triple-overtime defeat. "There are definitely no good memories," junior running back Reggie Bush said. USC has prospered since the 2003 loss, winning 31 consecutive games and two national championships. Today, Carroll and the top-ranked Trojans intend to finally bury the memory of that defeat when they play Cal. A victory would keep USC on track for a berth in the Rose Bowl — this season's bowl championship series title game — and a shot at an unprecedented third consecutive national title.
"We have a chance to do some real special things and have a terrific year," Carroll said. "Unfortunately, we have this unfortunate task of going against Cal." The Golden Bears, under fourth-year Coach Jeff Tedford, have proved to be the biggest thorn in Carroll's side. The last three games have been decided by a total of 11 points. In 2002, USC overcame an 18-point deficit — with the help of a pre-replay phantom touchdown catch by receiver Kareem Kelly — to defeat the Golden Bears, 30-28, at the Coliseum. Two years ago, the Trojans fell here, 34-31. And last season, USC needed three field goals from Ryan Killeen and a dramatic defensive stand at the end of the game to hold off Cal, 23-17, at the Coliseum. "For whatever reason, they've played us the toughest on a consistent basis the last couple years," said Leinart, who passed for a career-low 164 yards last season against Cal. USC, 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference, is hoping to maintain the offensive momentum it established in routs of Washington, Washington State and Stanford.
The Trojans lead the nation with averages of 49.9 points and 593.6 yards a game.
On the other side of the ball, USC has overcome injuries in the secondary and at a couple of linebacker spots to rank first in the conference in total defense.
"They are the best team I have seen in college football, there is no doubt about it," Tedford said. "Just from top to bottom, the depth they have, the athleticism … there really are no chinks in their armor." Cal (6-3 overall, 3-3 in the Pac-10) has lost three of its last four games, including a 27-20 overtime defeat at Oregon last week. "We have let games slip away in the fourth quarter," Tedford said. Running backs Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett lead a formidable Golden Bear rushing attack. But the passing game, which flourished in Tedford's first three seasons with quarterbacks such as Kyle Boller and Aaron Rodgers, is ranked last in the conference.
Junior college transfer Joe Ayoob became the starting quarterback in the second week, after Nate Longshore broke his ankle in the opener. Ayoob has had his moments — he passed for two late touchdowns in a victory over Washington State — but is completing only 49% of his passes. "Each week is a new lesson for him," Tedford said. "Consistency is something he is still striving for." Despite Cal's struggles, USC expects another challenge in the last of its six road games. The Trojans cruised at Hawaii and Washington, but had to come from behind to defeat Oregon, Arizona State and Notre Dame in extremely hostile environments. "That's when we play our best football, when we're threatened," Bush said. Carroll and his players said they were prepared for another unfriendly reception from another sellout crowd.
"I don't know that it can be any louder or any more dramatic than the other ones," Carroll said. "We'll find out."