Alabama Crimson Tide rolls West to visit USC Trojans

Bruce Meyers

Published Thursday, November 19, 2009

It all began during a conversation over college football at a Crimson Tide football game between myself and four Tide Pride ticket holders. Within a couple of days, the conversation turned into serious dialogue about going out West, attending a USC Trojan football game and meeting head coach Pete Carroll.

At first, I figured it was just part of a normal discussion over college football tradition and history. There is little doubt that both USC and Alabama have had a strong football connection from the past. From the early years when Alabama played in the Rose Bowl games, continuing the tradition during the John McKay-Bear Bryant years, and when you add up the national championships, you will find them sitting at the top with Alabama holding 12 and USC 11 titles. Alabama has played USC more than any other SEC team, seven times.

After further review, I decided to check out my options, so I contacted the USC football office. I figured they would not respond back; man was I wrong. I received a call from Matt Capurro, director of football operations. I explained to him the request of meeting Carroll and catching a game, and he took it from there.

We became the guests of the football program and it was onward and upward from there. It was all set up and way too good to be true. Not only were we on the short list of guests to the closed practice at Howard Jones Field, we were offered wrist bands so we could walk around the Memorial Coliseum field and mingle prior to the Trojans’ game with Stanford. There were many colors of wrist bands, but ours were good for both before game and after the game.

Arriving at the practice facility, which is surrounded by a 12-foot solid structure so no one can view the practice, we entered the gate where a guard was posted, and our names were on the list.

During the practice, we talked to various football alumni, but the one guest we noticed was none other than Jim Brown, Hall of Fame running back for the Cleveland Browns. He was a guest of Carroll, and he eventually addressed the team at the end of practice. I decided that I would make the first move and speak to him. He was nothing like the media has described in the past. Not only did he sign my football, he gave all of us the time and was extremely friendly. Brown signed and spoke to our entire group.

The practice was quick and efficient; it lasted around an hour-and-a-half. It was quite obvious that the Trojans were beat up, as many were either in electric carts or walking around with boots on one foot from sustained injuries during the season. We briefly spoke with USC players Marc Tyler, Damian Williams, Hebron Fangupo and David Ausberry, who were among the walking-wounded that evening. Two other starters, tight end Anthony McCoy and running back Alan Bradford, were practicing with high ankle sprains, but both indicated they would play Saturday. It looked more like a M.A.S.H. unit rather than a football practice. Sure, the Trojans are loaded, but attrition and injuries can take a toll on anyone, especially when you have just played your toughest schedule in eight years. Not only did USC send eight players to the NFL from its 2008 defense, the Trojans just finished a run playing six of their first nine games on the road.

After the practice, Carroll completed his interviews with the media, then immediately turned and walked directly over to us with a huge grin on his face and asked, “Now what is this all about?” From that point, he gave us his full and undivided attention. Jim Turner, one of the Crimson Tide visitors told him, “We (Alabama) are trying to arrange a game between us and you guys (USC).” Carroll responded jokingly, “That would be great, but you guys would need to lose a couple first before that could happen”.

Carroll broke into a monologue and acted as if he knew us for years, reflecting on the SEC and the Pac-10. He was very impressed with the way Alabama keeps winning, in spite of the low scores. It was a testament to the SEC, for which Carroll expressed admiration. He said that the SEC defenses are “lights out and awesome.” He said that he really respected the SEC and asked us if we had heard the latest about the players at Tennessee? I started wondering to myself, who was interviewing whom?

He explained to us about what had transpired with Lane Kiffin’s players, and then he asked us what we thought of Kiffin. He finally said that “Lane is young, but he will get it some day.” After some 30 minutes and various pictures, Carroll left the practice facility.

I asked the group what their first impressions were and here were the responses:

“He was courteous and showed patience,” Sheldon Miller; “Went beyond any expectations,“ Gary Mask; “Never acted as if he was in a hurry,“ Jim Turner; “Never expected him to spend so much time with us,” Rickey Scott; “Felt comfortable and welcomed, “Eddie Milner.

Game day was also an experience, from walking around on the Coliseum field before the game, to talking to various players on the sidelines. The Spirit of Troy marching band entered and it was quite exciting. The high-fives were endless and I bet we said “Fight on“ a thousand times.

Our seats were on the 50-yard line, and the sun was shining on the field. The game did not turn out as we would have wanted and on that day, as Stanford was the better team, but the experience will never be forgotten.

Until next time.

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