You, heard lyrics of the Trojans theme song fight on, playing against Stanford required those lyrics.
This game was poetic, when they encountered Stanford for the first time since last years darken spirit that has haunted them until last night.
For a year, Trojans’ fans have long-awaited this night, for two reasons: revenge and survival against a team that destroyed their national title hopes, now seeking revenge certainly was their main approach against Stanford.
Well, they capture vengeance, after everyone remembered that somber night of Oct. 6 2007, the biggest upset in college football history. The underdogs, Stanford possessed a 24-23 defeat, hurting them in every shape and form.
Now, they were adequate to return the hardship to the Cardinal on their own turf, avoiding a similar scenario from last year, elimination from BCS contention, on Saturday the Trojans earned redemption as fans embraced payback.
They paid their dues, staying in the national title chase, after a firm second-half to capture a decisive 45-23 victory, obviously restoring confidence and exult. Still, they haven’t moved up in the polls, remaining at No. 6.
Clearly, they don’t have a top 5 seed, after none of the top 5 schools loss this week. I mentioned, last week in a blog that the Trojans are playing the game against the BCS, meaning they’ll need a team to blunder.
Most importantly, they routed Stanford, keeping hopes alive. But their hopes could’ve possibly lapsed, if they didn’t get a strong ground game. If I wanted someone to send me a package at first priority, I would want C.J. Gable or Stafon Johnson to sprint the package to my front porch.
Both, illustrating that last years Stanford victory was flukish, replicating a usual pounded. After seeming a bit futile early, they strolled from behind, tying the score 17-17, in the first half, regrouping from a preview of last years humiliating lost.
The Trojans exchanged sequences, scoring 28 unanswered points before the Cardinal scored a touchdown on their final possession. Indeed, they weren’t about to have what happened to them last year, a last minute game-winning touchdown to spoil their ambition.
Wisely, blowing the game open relieved them from facing any misfortune, after a dynamic running game kept them away from distress and kept them away from another demoralizing scene.
Foremost, beating Stanford seemed as if they won the national title. It was resiliency and optimism, after winning their seventh consecutive victory, improving record to 9-1 overall and 7-1 in Pac 10 en route to winning another conference title.
Also, they’re in the mix for the Rose Bowl, the Grand Daddy of them all, still I’m sure the Trojans don’t won’t to play for the Grand Daddy, they won’t to play for the Grand Papa, meaning they won’t to play for the national title.
But, sustaining the BCS title game, still remains out of the conversation among the Trojans, their gratifying performance against Stanford was very convincing arguing with the BCS.
Tailback Johnson, Joe McKnight and Gable combined for dramatic 282 yards. A kickoff return for 93 yards by Gable tied the game at 17 all.
The Trojans rushed for just 39 yards on 13 tries in the first half alone, but offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian brilliant play calling, strategized 30 running plays in the second half, when they piled 243 yards rushing alone.
Johnson scored a seven-yard touchdown run, giving the Trojans a 24-17 lead with 2 minutes left in the third quarter. Gable sparked a 70-yard scoring drive before reaching the end zone on a three-yard run for a 31-17 lead.
They even overpowered, sensational freshman, Toby Gerhart, former Norco High star, gained 101 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. It just wasn’t enough against a dominated running game by the Trojans.
What you just saw from the Trojans, was fighting hard, earning back their recognition, respect and revenge after defeating Stanford.
They’re still alive, particularly their running game which has awoken out of nowhere.
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