Fifth-ranked Trojans' fierceness, has Beavers sighing lifeless roses

One more victory and USC will inhale the beautiful smell of roses, of course it isn’t what the Trojans had scripted, but they’ll accept another trip to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 and another Pac-10 title, a title they have dominated for seven years.

For years now, the Trojans have dominated Notre Dame as well, even when a scuffle occurs near the locker before both teams took the field, which nearly turned into a brawl during pregame warm ups on an emotional night at the Coliseum.

It was senior night for the Trojans and an on-field scuffle made matters worst for the Irish, giving the Trojans more exasperation and initiative to present their potent defense to the struggling Irish.

The Trojans didn’t evince any tenderness and played with an unsympathetic performance, unlike early in the year, when they underestimated Oregon State at Corvallis, the Beavers came away with the upset, in a season where the Trojans were favorites to win a national title.

But, the focal point was the defense of the Trojans, their defense looked impressive and it was one of the greatest defensive performances in history, before a crowd of 90,689 at the Coliseum and they were in for a good one.

The Trojans didn’t give up a first down until the last play of the third quarter, losing their second consecutive shutout against Notre Dame, but that didn’t matter to the Trojans, a team that was seeking to stay alive and eligible for a BCS game.

Now, the Trojans control their destiny for another Rose Bowl appearance, heading into next weeks crosstown rivalry showdown with UCLA, if they win they’ll clinch a Rose Bowl berth, but if they lose they’ll have to bid for another bowl game as Oregon State will reclaim possession to play in the Rose Bowl.

In the firs half the Trojans defense held the Irish, intercepting sophomore quarterback, Jimmy Clausen, twice and limited them to nine yards, the Irish finished with 91 total yards and only converted two of 14 third downs.

Clausen completed 11 of 22 passes for only 41 yards, the Trojans defense seemed to cause problems for the Irish. Linebackers Rey Maualuga, Brain Cushing, Kaluka Maiava and cornerbacks Cary Harris and Josh Pinkard made the contest forlorn for the Irish.

It even added more pressure on the embattled Coach, Charlie Weis, who’s on the hot seat, losing to the Trojans in a demoralizing way, might have ended his tenure at Notre Dame.

The defense gave the Trojans a break on offense, they struggled initially quarterback Mark Sanchaz, when he throw his first pass for an interception, but the ground game demoralized the Irish, running the distance when ever USC’s prolific running backs were handed the ball.

Suddenly, Oregon State lost their flamboyancy when their in-state rivals, Oregon came to Corvallis. Running back, Jeremiah Johnson, led the quack attack, with 15 carries for 219 yards and a touchdown, deflating the Beavers hopes to earn a chance to make a Rose Bowl appearance.

Without talented running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who leads the Pac-10 in rushing and his 12th in the nation sat out with a shoulder injury, which harmed the Beavers ability to rush effectively, but for the Trojans, his absence came in handy, after they got helped from the Ducks of Oregon.

For the Trojans, it revived hope in a bed full of roses. Absolutely they’ll accept a trip to the Rose Bowl for a Granddaddy good time.