The News-Gazette.com Weblog

Prep Confidential

Live from Pasadena

Posted by: Marcus Jackson

Tuesday, January 1, 2008 7:09 PM

Blog rules: When the game gets out of hand, we shut it down. Not much more to report here other than the Illinois fans are still in their seats. I'm heading down to the field soon to catch the end of the game so that's all from here.
Thanks for checking in today, and we'll be back again in the fall.

MJ

***
Booty just tacks on to his record. Another touchdown pass for the Louisiana native and this one is all but over. Let's see if the Illini come out fighting like they have all game. At this point, it's all about pride.

***
Illinois fans are loyal, that much can be said. Despite a 25-point deficit to one of the nation's elite teams, the folks in orange haven't hit the exits. If you make the trip out here, you might as well stay and see it all.

***
Hard to fault Jeff Cumberland there. The big guy was just trying to make a play and pick up a few extra yards for his team. Regardless, it's another turnover and the Trojans have the ball again.

***
Gotta say, the Illini aren't quitting. That's to be expected from a Ron Zook team. If nothing else, the Illini want to make this one respectable and prove they belong.

***
The game's getting ugly, but it's not all ugle here in Pasadena. The sun's setting off the San Gabriel Mountains above the north end of the stadium and it looks amazing. I might just stare at it for a while until something interesting happens on the field.

***
35-10 and it appears the Trojans might be mocking the Illini. After Mendenhall scored to open the second half, the Illini players took part in a semi-choreographed dance on their sideline. After McKnight's latest touchdown, the Trojans quickly assembled on their sideline and danced while watching the Illinois sideline.
Illinois is losing the game and the dancing contest.

***
Another interception thrown by Juice. If this was early in the season, we might be talking about whether Eddie McGee would be warming up. But Juice has established himself as the man, and that likely won't happen.

Booty has now thrown six touchdown passes in two Rose Bowl games to set the record for career TD passes in the Granddaddy of them all.

***
Illinois was resilient early, making a comeback after getting down early, but I'm not sure if it can come back from this one. SC has regained the momentum and the Illinois fans are more concerned with berating the officials than cheering.

***
I guess that's why I'm a writer and not an official. The play stands and Southern Cal is in business.

***
That's another wow. First for USC being so fortunate to turn that bad play into a big gainer, and two for VOntae Davis chasing down the speedy McKnight.

Looked like a forward pass to me, we'll see if the replay official agrees.

***
Wow. Illinois really had something going before that fumble. They shouldn't worry too much. The way the defense has been playing, they should have the ball back soon.

No panic on the Illini sideline, though. The guys are still jacked and getting the crowd into it.

***
Didn't think I'd be saying this based on how the first half played out, but Illinois could really swing this thing if it gets points on this drive.

And there goes the first-round draft pick again, breaking off a long gain on a check-down pass.

***
Marcus Thomas just made a great play. The Freshman from Morgan Park has really been on a roll since the Ohio State game. He and VOntae Davis have to be one of the better cornerback duos in the Big Ten next season.

***
That woke the crowd up. Maybe Will Ferrell will start paying attention to the game.
Mendenhall just added about $2 million to his signing bonus with that scamper.

***
Illinois goes back to the air to start the second half and Juice seems to like looking for Jeff Cumberland.

And it appears the passing game opened things up for Mendenhall. The Big Ten Player of the year ran through a huge hole for a 79-yard score. Asmussen could have scored there. Ok, Ok. He would have picked up 6 yards.

***
First-half numbers:
2.1 -- Mendenhall's yards per carry
44.4 -- Santella's punting average
194 -- USC's total yards
79 -- Illinois' total yardage
7 -- team-high tackles by Kevin Mitchell

***
Other famous people on the Illinois sideline: Kevin Hardy and David Williams. Thanks to sports information director Ben Taylor for keeping us abreast of the happenings.

***
The Marching Illini are performing the Three-In-One on the Rose Bowl field. Sounds like we're at Memorial Stadium.
Speaking of, I saw former Chief Illiniwek Dan Maloney at Universal Studios yeasterday. The former symbol was battling a bout of food poisoning.

***
Illinois' celebrity guests include Dana Howard, Simeon Rice and Vernon Davis.

***
Halftime and here's what we know:
-- USC is really good
-- The Trojans are fast
-- Arrelious Benn needs more touches
-- Illinois had something going on that last drive, might want to stick with it
-- The folks in orange are quiet
-- Tate's got smoke coming from his ears

***
There it is. Now Reda is the Illinois all-time points leader after his 28-yard field goal to make it 21-3 USC.
He certainly should talk about it afterward. But then again he might not. Even though there are no more games this season, the kicker might opt to stay silent. Can't really explain why, kickers are weird.

***
Juice is going to have nightmares about Rey Maualuga. The linebacker has been in his face all day and sacked him twice.

***
Looks like Locksley is happy with going to the air and Juice is getting into a bit of a rhythm.

***
Finally, something goes in favor of the Illini. Centennial graduate Jacob Willis hauls in a pass and draws a personal foul penalty.

Locksley is opening things up a bit, throwing the ball down the field. The pass to Jeff Cumberland was incomplete, but the Illini fans here in Pasadena cheered it, appreciating the call.

***
Illinois down 21 and with the way the offense has been going, it might as well be 42. Maybe Mike Locksley can come up with something to catch the Trojans off guard in the second half, or maybe the USC defense leaves and hits Hollywood a little early. Something needs to happen for the Illini to get back into this one.

***
Brit Miller talking trash, which should come as no surprise to anyone. Decatur's finest can talk with the best of them. He was a big hit with the media this week, drawing large gatherings whenever he had the floor.

***
Three straight carries for Mendenhall resulting in negative yardage.
Another three and out for Illinois.
One angry Tate.

***
Justin Harrison having a heck of an afternoon. Another bone-rattling hit for the safety, breaking up a pass intended for Fred Davis.

The Illinois defense is playing well. Might get worn down if the offense doesn't sustain any drives.

***
Santella for the Ray Guy! Another beauty of a punt and he stuck his nose in there and knocked Joe McKnight -- the second coming of Reggie Bush -- out of bounds after a 28-yards return.
***
Huge hit on JUice. Similar to the one knocked him out against Ohio State last season. Good to see he's OK.

Illinois now 2 for 7 on third downs.

***
DaJuan Warren back to return the punt for Illinois. Zook said we might see Benn back there, but not yet, although the super freshman is returning kicks.

***
Doug Pilcher with a bog sack. I think it might have been the first time Booty was touched all afternoon. Another big stop for the defense, which has settled down after some early struggles.

***
The video board in Pasadena just displayed a graphic saying Illinois' schedule was ranked the 10th toughest in the nation. Another argument for the folks that say the Illini belong at the Rose Bowl.

***
Still nothing brewing offensively for the Illini. USC's speed is presenting problems. They might have to get creative to score some points.
Santella with another beautiful punt. Not a good sign when your punter is this active this early.

***
Frank Lenti with a big block. The 5th-year senior doesn't put up big numbers, but he does the little things. Rossow always mentions that Kevin Mitchell is from Ft. Wayne, his hometown, every chance he gets. Have I mentioned Lenti is from South Holland -- my hometown? DOn't worry, you'll hear it again.

***
End of the first quarter, 14-0 Trojans. Here are some numbers:
152-44, USC edge in total offense
3-7-1, 6 yards; Juice's line
10-13, 79 yards, TD, John David Booty's line
1 touches by Arrelious Benn

***
Jason Reda just missed his first opportunity to become Illinois' all-time leader in points with the missed 29-yard field goal.
Can't blame that on the media. He hasn't talked to anyone all season. We'll try to catch up with him after the game. There's no more jinxing to be done after today.

***
There's your big play. Justin Harrison with a pick and this time it counts. A couple blocks and the Bloomington native would have reached paydirt.

***
Bob's got his binoculars out and apparently he has spotted Will Ferrell on the Trojan sideline. The funnyman is dressed in a red jacket and hat. He's a big-time Trojan backer.

The USC fans are getting into it and the Trojans seem to be feeding off that momentum. The Illinois defense needs to make a big play to take the crowd out of it.

***
Santella has the early lead for Illini of the game. Another solid punt; 41 yards with no return.
Tate just backed me up on Santella. He's getting his eye black out and says he might suit up for the second half. Look for him out there.

***
Lawrence Jackson back in for the Trojans.
Three and out for the Illini. Tate just threw his pen out the window. Hope no one was hurt down there.

***
It'll be interesting to see how Juice responds after the interception. The Illini need him to be confident because USC is going to make him beat them with his arm.

For now the Illini faithful are quiet. Not much to cheer about so far.

***
Horrible sequence for the Illini. Interception immediately followed by a USC touchdown. They can't afford to get down by much more or else this thing might get real ugly.

***
Bob took a break from eating his assortment of candy to offer his thoughts on some strategy. He thinks Juice can run with success agains tthe Trojans because they're so geared toward stopping Mendenhall. We'll see if he knows what he's talking about.
The good thing about games is that Bob eats a lot of candy, therefore he doesn't talk much.

***
Juice just "rolled the dice" as Bob likes to call it. He says that's his favorite part of the game. He needs to get out more.

Michael Hoomanawanui just put Keith Rivers on his butt with a block and the All-American didn't take too kindly to it. He might try to return the favor to the Bllomington native later on. Stay tuned.

Tough break for the Trojans. All-American defensive end Lawrence Jackson was shaken up but walked off the field under his own power.

***
USC certainly moved down the field rather easily there. 79 yards in nine plays and I don't think an Illinois defender even breathed on John David Booty. Can't give the senior that kind of time to throw.

***
Apparently Justin Harrison didn't know the play was blown dead. The senior safety scooped up what looked like a fumble and returned it about 60 yards to the end zone. He even celebrated a little, too.

***
42-yard punt for Anthony Santella. Good start for the punter who has faced some stiff criticism this season.

Tight ends have given Illinois trouble all season and USC's Fred Davis is the best in the country. The Mackey Award winner just went for 19 yards.

***
If this is Rashard Mendenhall's last game in an Illini uniform, he sure started it off right with a 16-yard carry on the first play from scrimmage. He's been quiet about his future, but the guess is he's playing on Sunday's next season.

***
The Rose Bowl press box is open air and I finally convinced Bob to let me open our window. He's afraid he'll fall out.

***
Celebrity chef Emeril is at midfield for the coin toss. He was the grand marshal for this morning's Rose parade. Wonder if he's giving J Leman and cooking tips.

USC won the toss and deferred. Illinois will start on offense.

***
The Rose Bowl holds about 92,000 fans. Accoring to the USC radio announcers, there are about 45,000 Illini fans here. Good showing.

The Illini just took the field and the cheers far outweighed the boos. The Illini fans are here and they are loud!

***
Four Navy SEAL hang gliders just swooped onto the field, each with a different flag waving from his back. Both USC and Illinois were represented, with the Illinois flag getting the louder ovation. The loudest cheer was for the SEAL with the U.S. flag. Each made a perfect landing at logo on the 50 yard line.

***
The Rose Bowl is full of traditions, one of which includes the crowning of a Rose Queen. This year's queen, 17-year-old Dusty Gibbs of nearby Arcadia, just took the field with her court of six princesses. Gibbs has been making appearances all week, including the Beef Bowl on Friday evening.

***
The Marching Illini just took the field and they made a pretty sweet design. The members formed a map of the United States with the state of Illinois cut out.
The band has been pretty busy all week playing at a number of Southern California venues since arriving Saturday.

***
The Rose Bowl folks in the press box are worried. If Florida and Michigan keep scoring, our game here might be delayed. An official just told me the Rose Bowl can't go on air until that game is finished.

***
Before the Michigan-Florida game the players got into a small confrontation on the field. Doesn't appear that there will be any such activity here. The Illini walked toward midfield where the Trojans were lined up and from the looks of it, both sides behaved. I'd pay to see Pete Carroll and Ron Zook throw down, though.

***
Haven't seen any celebrities the last week in LA, but walking around outside the stadium today I felt like one with all the people snapping photos. And they weren't shooting me. Loren Tate is a star. He had all sorts of people stopping to get his attention.
To his credit, the legend handles it like a true star. He smiles, waves and goes on like he's been doing it for years.

***
How about Missouri? Think the Tigers were trying to make a statement about being left out of the BCS during their 38-7 thumping of Arkansas? Tony Temple ran for 281 yards and the scary thing is he might be back for another season if he wins a case with the NCAA for another year of eligibility.

WHo would have thought when Illinois and Missouri met in September that each team would be playing on New Year's Day? And both should be playing in BCS games. If the Illinois pull the upset here, next season's opener might be a battle of two Top-10 teams.

***
Did I mention Bob and I have been in the stadium since 7:30 a.m. PST? That's six hours we've been here and there are still about 45 minutes until kickoff. No complaints here though. I couldn't think of a better place to spend 12 hours on New Year's Day than the Rose Bowl.

***
Bob Asmussen and Loren Tate are next to me and are engaging in a heated discussion about whether a playoff would be good for college football. Tate is old school and like things the way they are. Bob thinks a playoff the the only way to go. They might settle this one with fist fight. My money's on the Tate. Too much experience.

How about this Michigan-Florida game? Looks like the Wolverines are doing everything they can to try and give this one away. Mike Hart's fumbled for the first time since the Reagan administration, but Rich Rodriguez's future team is holding on to a three-point advantage.

***
The early word is Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott, Matt Leinart and Will Ferrell will be on the USC sideline today. No word on who will be on the Illini sideline, but I'll keep my eyes on the field to see if I can spot any famous faces.

***
Good afternoon from Pasadena, Calif., where the sun is shining, the grass is green and it's a comfortable 74 degrees. I hear the weather in Illinois is quite unpleasant and I'm not looking forward to coming home to that on Thursday.

Anyway, we're about an hour away from kickoff and I'll be here throughout the game giving you my take on what's going on inside the Rose Bowl.

The Illini just took the field a few moments ago to a rousing ovation from the sea of folks wearing orange. Based on the crowd, USC will not enjoy a home-field advantage. The folks are still filing in, but when each team took the field, the Illinois fans were overwhelmingly more vocal than the USC followers.