DEFENSE GETS THE LAST LAUGH.Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. was tired of being the punch line punch line n. The climactic phrase or statement of a joke, producing a sudden humorous effect. punch line Noun the last line of a joke or funny story that gives it its point Noun 1. to jokes about how no defense is played on the West Coast. Trojans defensive players went out Saturday to prove wrong all the doubters who thought they were as soft as the petals on the roses they were holding after a dominating 66-19 victory over rival UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX . ``We knew we had it in us,'' said Frostee Rucker Frostee Rucker (born September 14, 1983 in Tustin, California) is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Bengals in the third round (91st overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. , who had one of USC's five sacks. ``And what better game for us to come out and show what we're all about?'' The Trojans' record-breaking offense will outshine out·shine v. out·shone , out·shin·ing, out·shines v.tr. 1. a. To shine brighter than. b. To be more beautiful, splendid, or flamboyant than. 2. the defense this year. The players know that. But after allowing 42 points two weeks ago against Fresno State, USC gained a reputation as a team that needed to score 50 points to win. In came the Bruins with two Heisman candidates of their own in Drew Olson Drew Olson (born April 6, 1983 in San Francisco, California) is a former starting quarterback for the University of California, Los Angeles football team, where he broke many of UCLA's passing records. and Maurice Drew. UCLA was averaging 40 points per game,148.9 yards rushing and 290.9 passing. On the second drive of the game, it was obvious this wasn't going to be the shootout Shootout Venture capital jargon. Refers to two or more venture capital firms fighting for the startup. everyone expected. With a second-and-four at the USC 30, Olson was sacked twice in a row by Lawrence Jackson Lawrence Jackson (born August 30, 1985 in Inglewood, California) is an American football defensive lineman for the University of Southern California. He is referred to as LJ or LoJack. and Rucker to not only stop the drive but knock UCLA out of field-goal position. Jackson finished with three sacks. ``I think we were kind of motivated off of Fresno State because people were talking bad about us,'' said USC safety Darnell Bing Darnell Bing (born September 10 1984 in Long Beach, California) is an American football safety. Pro Career He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the 101st pick of the 2006 NFL Draft. , who was instrumental in holding NFL-bound tight end Marcedes Lewis, his former Long Beach Poly teammate, to three catches for 30 yards. ``We felt we had something to prove.'' The first-team defense scored more touchdowns than it allowed to UCLA. Justin Wyatt picked up a Drew fumble forced by Rey Maualuga midway through the third quarter and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. ``Coach (Pete) Carroll is like a wizard in there,'' Wyatt said. ``He comes up with these ridiculous game plans. All we have to do is execute them.'' Wyatt said this game plan was simple: to shut down Lewis and Drew, focusing on preventing Drew from gaining yards on screen passes. He caught one screen pass for 14 yards. ``(Coaches) basically told us those two guys are what the offense is based around,'' Wyatt said. ``So all we had to do is contain those guys.'' The Trojans held Drew, who ranked sixth nationally in all-purpose yards, to 89 yards on 14 carries and one 15-yard touchdown that came with 3:33 remaining, with reserve defenders in. Olson, who leads the nation in passing efficiency rating, completed just 14 of 34 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown that came with 11 seconds left. The Bruins totaled 275 yards. ``The magnitude of this game really brought it out of us, I think,'' Rucker said. ``Plus, for us seniors, it was our last game at the Coliseum, so we knew we had to really get after it and put on a show in front of these fans.'' Matthew Kredell, (818) 713-3607 matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: USC's Joel Pinkard (36) hits UCLA quarterback Drew Olson during the third quarter of Saturday's game. Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer |
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