GAME PREVIEW: USC
BY ANDREW OWENS
U
SC entered fall camp using only
67 scholarships out of the stan-
dard 85 permitted by the NCAA.
Due to NCAA sanctions leveled
against the program stemming from vio-
lations in the mid-2000s, USC's scholar-
ship pool was reduced by 30 over three
years with a roster cap of 75.
While the sanctions ended last sum-
mer, it will take first-year head coach
Steve Sarkisian — a longtime USC as-
sistant during the Pete Carroll era — a
few years to restock the cupboard. Even
if it has hampered the 2014 Trojans, you
won't hear it from him.
"The numbers issue is something that
neither Sarkisian nor the coaches nor
his players have used as an excuse,"
said Gary Klein, who covers USC for
The Los Angeles Times. "The school itself
does not miss an opportunity either in
media notes or some statements from
[athletics director] Pat Haden that the
numbers have been an issue."
Redshirt junior quarterback Cody Kessler boasted
a 29-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio through
10 games this season.
PHOTO COURTESY USC ATHLETICS
Down
But Not Out
The Trojans are adjusting
to a depleted roster due to the
lingering effects of NCAA sanctions
