Tuesday, November 15, 2005

San Berdino Sun: Cal apologizes for head butt on White

By Scott Wolf, Staff Writer
California coach Jeff Tedford apologized to USC coach Pete Carroll on Monday for a head butt delivered to Trojans tailback LenDale White after White's helmet came off in a pile of players last weekend. Golden Bears linebacker Zack Follett head-butted White and drew a personal-foul penalty for the play. "Jeff called and apologized and said he called (Follett) in and made him apologize for the play," Carroll said.
White said the personal foul didn't bother him because he experienced rough plays all season. "That's what happens, life goes on," White said. "I told the refs they were grabbing my face mask. I feel like every team we play does it. They're twisting ankles, spitting, punching your head. "But that's football. It really only happens when you're winning and it's a last resort for the other team." Ironically, Cal offensive lineman Aaron Merz said USC was the "cheapest" defense he faced and said the Trojans spit, poked eyes and grabbed face masks. "I didn't see anything like that on the film," Carroll said. "Our guys said they were the ones doing stuff like that." USC defensive end Frostee Rucker denied spitting and defensive end Lawrence Jackson said the game was no rougher than usual. "There was one play and (Cal offensive lineman) Ryan O'Callaghan pushed me in the back and I said, 'What's going on?' and he said, 'It's all fun. I'm not trying to hurt you.' So obviously, he didn't feel like we were doing anything dirty."

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