DT Shaun Cody

2003 Statistics

Coach: Pete Carroll
29-9, 3 years
2003 Record: 12-1
at Auburn WON 23-0
BRIGHAM YOUNG WON 35-18
HAWAII WON 61-32
at California LOST 31-34
at Arizona State WON 37-17
STANFORD WON 44-21
at Notre Dame WON 45-14
at Washington WON 43-23
WASHINGTON STATE WON 43-16
at Arizona WON 45-0
UCLA WON 47-22
OREGON STATE WON 52-28
ROSE BOWL
Michigan WON 28-14


2003 Final Rankings
AP-1, Coaches-2, BCS-3
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

2004 Outlook

The #1 question to be answered in 2004 is whether Southern Cal can repeat as national champions. USC head coach Pete Carroll, in his fourth year (29-9, 10-0 in November) as the head man of Troy, was named National Coach of the Year in '03. They will face exciting challenges to remain there with the likes of co-national champion LSU and others. Their schedule includes six teams that participated in bowls, but is easily manageable.

USC returns 14 starters - six each on offense and defense, and both kickers. Spearheading their attack will be QB Matt Leinart, who is perhaps the leading contender for the Heisman Trophy. The departure of WR Mike Williams after to the NFL after only his sophomore year may be a crushing blow, however, to the offensive juggernaut that offensive coordinator Norm Chow has produced the past several seasons.

The Trojans open their season with their first meeting ever against Virginia Tech in the Black Coaches Association Football Classic in Landover, Maryland, on August 28. Colorado State also will measure the Trojans early for all to see. Really, any team with a strong air assault can affect the nation's returning110th-ranked pass-defense. This will again be the weakest point at which to strike USC.

This team certainly knows how to win, and with the performances it has turned in for the past couple of years, as long as they maintain their desire and work ethic, they can easily make their way to the top of the heap once again. Only one of the two SEC powerhouses will unseat these giants. With two top-five rated recruiting classes, and despite the juggling of his coaching staff in the off-season, Carroll is building another Trojan dynasty.


Projected 2004 record: 11-1
SOUTHERN CAL
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 5 DL - 4.5
RB - 5 LB - 4.5
WR - 4 DB - 4
OL - 3.5 ..
RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Matt Leinart, 402-255-9, 3556 yds., 38 TD

Rushing: LenDale White, 141 att., 754 yds., 13 TD

Receiving: Steve Smith, 17 rec., 319 yds., 2 TD

Scoring: Ryan Killeen, 19-24 FG, 65-67 PAT, 122 pts.

Punting: Tom Malone, 42 punts, 49.0 avg.

Kicking: Ryan Killeen, 19-24 FG, 65-67 PAT, 45 long

Tackles: Lofa Tatupu, 98 tot., 54 solo, 11.5 TFL

Sacks: Shaun Cody, 6 sacks

Interceptions: Lofa Tatupu, 4 for 126 yds.

Kickoff Returns: Reggie Bush, 18 ret., 27.3 avg., 1 TD

Punt Returns: Greig Carlson, 21 ret., 9.0 avg.

 

QB Matt Leinart


The Trojan defense forced 7 turnovers, had 7 sacks and scored the day's only touchdown in a 118-play intrasquad scrimmage at USC as the defending national champions concluded their 2004 spring practice. Safety Greg Farr picked off a pass from quarterback Brandon Hance and returned it 62 yards for a TD. The only other scores in the scrimmage came on field goals by placekickers Ryan Killeen (24 yards) and Mario Danelo (20 yards). All-American quarterback Matt Leinart completed 8-of-15 passes for 88 yards, while John David Booty was 9-of-17 for 143 yards with 2 picks and Hance was 11-of-21 for 143 yards and 3 interceptions. Fullback David Kirtman, running mainly from the tailback spot, had 87 yards on 16 carries. "Obviously, this was a defensive day from the start and the offensive struggled," said USC head coach Pete Carroll. "Our last scrimmage was the other way around. So that's good. "I just didn't like all the turnovers. That's very uncharacteristic of our offense. And that's why our defense was so pumped up afterwards. But I'm not worried about our offense. I'm more pleased with our defense."

SPRING GAME
STAT LEADERS

PASSING
M. Leinart, 15-8-0, 88 yds.
J.D. Booty, 17-9-2, 143 yds.
B. Hance, 21-11-3, 143 yds.

RUSHING

D. Kirtman, 16 att., 87 yds.
R. Bush, 15 att., 28 yds.

RECEIVING

S. Smith, 9 rec., 130 yds.
W. Lewis, 4 rec., 48 yds.

TACKLES

Eric Wright, Greg Farr, Brandon Ting, Oscar Lua - 6 tackles each

INTERCEPTIONS
Terrell Thomas, Ryan Ting, Ronald Nunn, Greg Farr, Oscar Lua - 1 int. each

 
 
SOUTHERN CAL
OFFENSE - 4
----RETURNING STARTERS----
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Jacob Rogers-OT, Lenny Vandermade-OG, Norm Katnik-C, Keary Colbert-WR, Mike Williams-WR (NFL)
DEFENSE: Omar Nazel-DE, Melvin Simmons-WLB, Will Poole-CB, Marcell Allmond-CB, Kenechi Udeze-DE (NFL)
2004 OFFENSE

Quarterback
The men of Troy are fortunate to have perhaps the best QB in America in junior Matt Leinart, a first-team All-American who completed over 63% of his passes in their National Championship campaign. He threw for 38 TDs, with only nine INTs, and set a league record of 212 consecutive passes without an interception. Leinart is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, having finished sixth in the voting last year as a mere sophomore. He became only the second soph in Pac-10 history (the first was John Elway) to be named Offensive Player of the Year. A lefty, he came from obscurity to more than fill the shoes of USC's 2002 Heisman winner, Carson Palmer. Matt showed his versatility by catching a 15-yard scoring pass off a reverse in the Trojans' Rose Bowl victory over Michigan.
USC has a stable of very capable backups, including sophomore John David Booty, who graduated a full year early from high school to join USC, and was Leinart's main backup until he broke his wrist midway through '03. Senior Brandon Hance started nine games for Purdue in 2001 before transferring to the West Coast and became the chief backup after Booty's injury.

Running Back
As always, USC is loaded at the running back position. Look for them to continue to rotate the same tandem of three young tailbacks that combined for over 1,900 rushing yards. Each of the three, junior Hershel Dennis & sophomores LenDale White and Reggie Bush, rushed for over 500 yards, the first time that had happened at USC since 1998. White rushed for 13 TDs and led the team with 754 yards rushing, the first time a true freshman has accomplished that school feat. Bush lead the team with 1,331 all-purpose yards, a school record for a frosh, earning him Freshman All-American honors. He was tenth nationally in kickoff returns. Sophomore Chauncey Washington, hampered by an early ankle injury last year, is looking to break into the rotation as a power runner. The bad news is that returning starter Brandon Hancock has injured his knee and will not be available this year at FB. In steps junior David Kirtman, a rugged blocker who has shined on special teams as well. Lee Webb has been moved back to FB to provide some depth.

Wide Receiver
The biggest challenge facing head coach Pete Carroll in 2004 is finding replacements for perhaps the two best receivers the school has ever had. Promising sophomores Steve Smith, the #3 wideout in '03, Whitney Lewis - massive potential for this multiple threat, and Chris McFoy will fill the void of talent that has departed. Also returning are senior Jason Mitchell, juniors Greig Carlson, the top punt returner, and William Buchanan, a one-time cornerback. All have size, but are unproven. However, USC may get its most help at WR with three top recruits that could make an immediate impact as freshmen, all of whom were high school All-Americans - Fred Davis, who is already on campus this spring, Dwayne Jarrett, and Derrick Jones. There will be little drop off in talent, but results will differ.

Tight End
The TE corps is very deep in 2004 for the Trojans. Senior Gregg Guenther, Jr., also a hoops star at USC, is 6'8" and was the starter by the middle of '03. Junior Dominique Byrd, who started before a suffering knee injury in mid-season that will keep him out of spring practice, also returns, along with senior Alex Holmes, who started all of 2002 but sat out last fall with a back injury. Alex is considered by many around the program to be considered one of the top TEs in the country. Senior Matt Cassell, a converted QB who pitches for the USC baseball team and sophomore ex-center Kurt Katnik may contribute. Three prep All-Americans, Jimmy Miller, Michael Stuart, and Dale Thompson, will join the mix in the fall, giving the team a lot of options, to say the least.

Offensive Line
Whether USC will achieve the success it had last year will be dependent on whether their partially-rebuilt OL can produce. It will have more beef than any in Trojan history, with seven linemen on the roster weighing at least 300 pounds. Ten years of combined starting experience will have to be replaced in the middle and left side of the line. That line allowed only one sack per game, the fewest since 1987. Junior right tackle Winston Justice, who protected Leinart's blind side last year, was set to start for the third year in a row and become a potential All-American. As of now, it looks like Justice will not return for USC next year due to a school suspension. It could change, but chances are slim. Kyle Williams looks to be his replacement, but depth behind him creates a major concern for the coaching staff. The other tackle spot is currently filled with a freshman in Sam Baker. Whew! Sophomore guard Fred Matua, a quick-footed former DE, and massive senior John Drake are likely returning starters battling for one of the guard spots. A new center must emerge from candidates sophomore Ryan Kalil, freshman Travis Draper, and incoming freshman prep All-American Jeff Byers. Bet on Byers to eventually be the man. He will help the other parts jell with his incredible adaptability and footwork.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
This year's offense has a very high benchmark. While it returns its top four rushers and 15 of the 17 people who caught passes, the 2003 team was fifth nationally in passing efficiency and scoring offense. Even though the rushing offense wasn't nationally ranked, it was still USC's best since 1991. The men of Troy scored a Pac 10-record 68 TDs and 534 points last season, and their 6.5 yards per play was a school record. USC's offense under coordinator Norm Chow has become so prolific that they have scored at least 20 points in 26 straight games, and had an 11-game stretch in which they scored more than 30 points per game, including 7 consecutive games of over 40 points per game. Of their 77 scoring drives last year, 59 of them took less than three minutes off the clock. Returning many of those key players will help, but having to reconstruct the offensive line and finding some receivers to throw to will be obstacles that will only be marginally overcome, so they come up short on reaching the heights they just attained. Since the offensive unit is very young, lack of senior leadership will also surface as a problem.

 

TB Reggie Bush

 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2004 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Matt Leinart-Jr (6-5, 220) John David Booty-So (6-3, 200)
Brandon Hance-Sr (6-1, 235)
FB Lee Webb-Sr (6-0, 240) David Kirtman-Jr (6-0, 220)
TB Hershel Dennis-Jr (5-11, 190) LenDale White-So (6-2, 225)
Reggie Bush-So (6-0, 190)
WR Whitney Lewis-So (6-1, 225) William Buchanon-Jr (6-3, 180)
Fred Davis-Fr (6-4, 215)
WR Steve Smith-So (6-1, 190) Chris McFoy-So (6-1, 190)
TE Alex Holmes-Sr (6-3, 270) Dominique Byrd-Jr (6-3, 255)
Gregg Guenther-Sr (6-8, 245)
OT Sam Baker-Fr (6-5, 315) Matt Spanos-Fr (6-5, 285)
OG Travis Watkins-Sr (6-3, 305) Alatini Malu-So (6-5, 340)
C Ryan Kalil-So (6-4, 270) Ross Burruel-Jr (6-3, 285)
OG Fred Matua-So (6-2, 300) John Drake-Sr (6-4, 350)
OT Kyle Williams-So (6-6, 290) Drew Radovich-Fr (6-5, 280)
K Ryan Killeen-Sr (5-11, 200) Mario Danelo-Fr (5-10, 200)
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

Matt Leinart....LIE-nert
Ryan Kalil....kuh-LIL
Fred Matua....muh-TWO-uh
Ryan Killeen....kill-LEAN
Lenny Vandermade....VAN-dur-made **
Keary Colbert....CARE-ee COL-burt **

William Buchanon....biew-CAN-un
Dominique Byrd....dom-uh-NEEK BIRD
Gregg Guenther....GUN-thur
Matt Spanos....SPAN-ose
Drew Radovich....RAD-oe-vich

 

2004 DEFENSE

Defensive Line
The highly regarded "Wild Bunch" of the past two seasons has been depleted by the fact that veteran starting ends Kenechi Udeze and Omar Nazel are now gone. Both starting tackles, battle-tested seniors and All-American candidates, Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson, return. Backups will include junior LaJuan Ramsey, sophomores Manuel Wright and Travis Tofi, and redshirt freshman Sedrick Ellis, to be joined in the fall by prep All-American freshman Lawrence Miles. In the spring, Cody was moved out to DE in an effort to take up the slack left by graduation. Helping to fill the vacant end jobs will also be senior Van Brown and a starter by the end of '03, junior Frostee Rucker. Three redshirt freshmen and a pair of prep All-American freshmen will allow this unit to be strong into many fourth quarters.

Linebacker
This will be the strength of the USC defense for sure. Junior MLB Lofa Tatupu is a freak underneath at taking away short passes at will (four INTs). Senior Matt Grootegoed has been the starting strongside LB for three years now. Instinctive and fast, he will merit All-America consideration. Junior Dallas Sartz started the last half of the season on the strong side last year when Grootegoed had an ankle sprain. Weak-sider Collin Ashton is a walk on who actually was a surprise last year filling in at times. But, look for redshirt frosh Thomas Williams and incoming frosh Keith Rivers to help fill the depth at this spot. Rivers was considered by many recruiting services as one the nation's best high school LBs.

Defensive Back
Both starting safeties, sophomore SS Darnell Bing, a freshman All-American with an unlimited future, and senior FS hitter Jason Leach, the #2 tackler, return. That's the good news. Depth may be a problem at the safety position, however, as the backups are young and untested. More than likely, incoming recruits Josh Pinkard and JC transfer Scott Ware will provide the quality depth needed at both safety spots. More bad news is that both starting CBs are gone. Their likely replacements, however, are experienced seniors Ronald Nunn, and Kevin Arbet, who received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA due to a foot injury that will still keep him out through spring. The corners will be a good measuring stick for the rest of the team's defensive accomplishments. Their success(es) and/or failure(s) will key other areas.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
USC returns four of its five top tacklers from a defense that was first nationally in rushing defense, and by far, the best in the Pac 10. Opponents could only manage less than two yards per carry against the Trojans, a school record and national best. They were also #1 in the nation with 55 sacks, forcing 42 turnovers. They have intercepted passes in 22 of their last 23 games, held 20 of their past 26 opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground, and went 22 consecutive quarters without allowing a rushing TD. A leader in takeaways nationally under head coach Pete Carroll, they have followed his schemes to the letter. With the returning leadership this squad has, look for it to continue to aggressively shine.

 

NT Mike Patterson

 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2004 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Shaun Cody-Sr (6-4, 285) Lawrence Jackson-Fr (6-5, 250)
NT Mike Patterson-Sr (6-0, 285) Sedrick Ellis-Fr (6-2, 280)
DT Manuel Wright-So (6-5, 285) Travis Tofi-So (6-4, 255)
DE Frostee Rucker-Jr (6-4, 240) Van Brown-Sr (6-5, 265)
SLB Dallas Sartz-Jr (6-5, 200) Thomas Williams-Fr (6-3, 225)
MLB Lofa Tatupu-Jr (6-0, 225) Oscar Lua-So (6-2, 245)
WLB Matt Grootegoed-Sr (5-11, 215) Collin Ashton-Jr (6-1, 215)
CB Ronald Nunn-Sr (5-11, 180) John Walker-Jr (6-2, 200)
CB Justin Wyatt-Jr (5-10, 180) Kevin Arbet-Sr (5-11, 190)
SS Darnell Bing-So (6-2, 220) Greg Farr-Sr (6-0, 195)
FS Jason Leach-Sr (5-11, 210) Ryan Ting-So (5-10, 190)
P Tom Malone-Jr (6-0, 190) Ryan Killeen-Sr (5-11, 200)
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Shaun Cody....SHAWN COE-dee
Lofa Tatupu....LOE-fuh ta-TOO-poo
Matt Grootegoed....GROOT-uh-good
Kenechi Udeze....kun-EE-chee oo-DEZ-zay **
Omar Nazel....OE-mar nay-ZELL **
Travis Tofi....TOE-fee
Oscar Lua....LOO-uh
Kevin Arbet....ARE-bet
Ryan Killeen....kill-LEAN

 

 

2004 SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker
Senior Ryan Killeen ranks among the nation's best. He is a candidate for the Lou Groza Award, having a Pac 10 record 65 PATs last year, and a school-record 19 of 24 FGs. His 122 points were the most ever tallied by a USC kicker. He kept foes starting at the 20 yard line (at best) on 93 of his 99 kickoffs. He is backed up by redshirt freshman Mario Danelo, son of former NFL kicker Joe Danelo.

Punter
All-American junior subdude Tom Malone is the nation's best punter (a school-record 49 yards per punt), and is a true weapon for the Trojans field-position battles. He would have led the nation in punting, but the efficiency of the USC offense prevented him from punting the NCAA required minimum of 47 times. He pinned opponents inside their 20 yard line on 28 of his 42 punts. Senior PK Ryan Killeen is his backup.

Return Game


The Trojans have their top KO returner back, sophomore TB Reggie Bush, who ranked tenth nationally. Notably, he was the first USC player to lead the Pac 10 in kickoff returns since Anthony Davis in 1974. USC also has its top punt returner back, junior WR Greig Carlson.

 

OFFENSIVE DEVELOPMENTS

At QB, the backup slot is still uncertain. While there is a chance coaches are looking to redshirt current No. 2 QB John David Booty, that decision is likely to be delayed into late August, which is by when Brandon Hance will have proven whether he is or is not capable of handling the role…Starting FB Brandon Hancock will miss the 2004 season after reconstructive surgery in February for a torn knee ligament suffered in the Rose Bowl…Former LB Lee Webb has been impressive in his transition to FB, enough so that David Kirtman is likely to get pushed for considerable playing time. Kirtman actually ran at the TB spot in the spring game as the Trojans suffered through the usual early casualties…Sophomore TB Chauncey Washington is likely to redshirt next season due to depth at the spot, although no final decision has been made…Incoming WR-recruit Fred Davis enrolled early at USC and participated in spring drills. His highly anticipated arrival was hampered to some degree by a lingering injury. Coaches did see enough natural talent from Davis to note he has a great future in Troy…After missing all of 2003 with an injury, TE Alex Holmes was catching everything thrown his way and pancaking defenders all spring. Holmes appears to be playing the best he has ever played and Leinart seems to have much confidence looking his way, even in traffic. This is big news, considering the inexperience of the other pass catchers…NationalChamps.net All-American OT Winston Justice is barred from spring practice and was given a two-week suspension from school after his arrest March 3 for an incident in which he allegedly flashed a pellet gun at another student during a dispute. People inside the program believe Justice will not be available in the fall…Sophomore Kyle Williams, a highly touted recruit; will step in for Justice, but depth is now a major issue across the entire front. With Justice out, the only returning starter is OG Fred Matua. His partner John Drake, splitting time at the position while starting seven games last season, is out with a broken ankle and will not return until the fall. The anticipated arrival of JC transfer Taitusi Latui and High School Gatorade Player of The Year Jeff Byers (likely to play center) cannot come fast enough. Don't be surprised to see another depth chart shake up before the first game.

DEFENSIVE DEVELOPMENTS

NationalChamps.net first team All-American DT Shaun Cody has moved to the end spot vacated by Kenechi Udeze. Cody played DE in high school, but the move was mostly due in part to the progress shown by DT Manuel Wright, who is down to 280 pounds. Wright reeked havoc all spring. Another reason for the move simply had to do with a lack of bodies at DE - Frostee Rucker, LaJuan Ramsey, Chris Barrett and Van Brown were all sidelined for the majority of spring due to injuries. Depth across the DL is of marginal concern.


NEWCOMERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
TE - Alex Holmes
DT - Manuel Wright