Humble Tahj Washington — USC’s Secret MVP

Receiver ‘Chef Tahj’ Washington epitomized USC’s rebuild

As a horde of seniors skipped the Holiday Bowl to preserve draft stock, Washington’s status was never in doubt, and he capped a sizzling senior season in reaching 1,000 yards

USC wide receiver Tahj Washington runs with the ball for an eventual touchdown during the Holiday Bowl against Louisville on Wednesday night at Petco Park in San Diego. (Meg McLaughlin/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Tahj Washington scoots for a TD during the Holiday Bowl against Louisville on Wednesday night at Petco Park in San Diego. (Meg McLaughlin/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Luca Evans (OC Register)  —  LOS ANGELES — Receiver. Number 16. Good little football player. 

In November, the Southern California News Group spoke with an NFL scout on condition of anonymity for a story evaluating quarterback Caleb Williams’ draft stock. In a final question, pivoting away from the Williams-centric questions that have so overshadowed USC’s 2023 season, the scout was asked if there were any potential mid-to-late-round draft picks he saw on USC’s roster after their 48-20 loss to Notre Dame in mid-October.

Senior wide receiver Tahj Washington was the first, and instant, mention.

“Smart, tough, instinctive, athletic, great hands,” the scout said. “Really like the way he played the game.”

“I don’t even know his name, but.”

Sounded about right, then. Outside of a passion for cooking and a golden streak in his hair he recently shaved away, Washington has drawn little attention to himself for three years at USC. He is polite but soft-spoken, a Texas twang masked within short sentences. His perspective is often deceptively simple, built from years of maturation through seeing just about all there is to see in collegiate football, summated by his simple explanation for declaring for the draft last week: “I’ve been in college five years, bro. It’s about that time.”

And Washington was right in the middle of it, playing in one final game that held little stakes on paper, trotting out there even as a host of other key Trojans – including Williams – sat to preserve draft stock. And he balled out for one final night, a safety net on Miller Moss’ first two touchdowns of the night, eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards on the year with a 29-yard end-zone grab in the second quarter as he danced in ecstasy.

“He could have had a great case for not playing this game,” Riley said postgame. “But anybody that knows Tahj knew there was a zero percent chance that he was going to sit out this game, and that’s why he’s going to be a great pro.”

He had come from Memphis with minor character questions, but he stuck out a rough 2021 season at USC in which he nabbed just one touchdown. He took a backseat to Jordan Addison at times in 2022 but established himself as unshakeable in USC’s receiver room. And even with a horde of young skill talent and veterans vying for snaps, even as the flashier Brenden Rice stole some eyes, Washington stepped fully into an unquestioned role as USC’s top target in 2023 in a year that should earn him some buzz in the first few rounds of the draft.

“We call him the Humble Beast from the East,” mother Shanon Kuykendall said.

The “entire vibe,” as Riley put it, felt different around USC on Wednesday night. A depleted roster roared and bellowed and swarmed like they’d never quite done before in 2023, the defense assembling for a sort of sideline victory lap after a late fumble forced by untested safety Anthony Beavers Jr., the Holiday Bowl-themed vat of eggnog dumped on a bemused Riley after the game feeling like a cleaning of the slate.

Washington, both in his on-field presence and in simply suiting up, was crucial to that. So, too, were steadfast center Justin Dedich and safety Bryson Shaw. So, too, were defensive coaches like Brian Odom and Shaun Nua, interim co-coordinators who could well be on their way out with a new regime under D’Anton Lynn; so, too, was safeties coach Taylor Mays, who slid into the now-departed Donte Williams’ role coaching the defensive backs and made a strong case to stay on staff with a tremendous coaching job.

“A lot of really good people on the staff where, they could have turned and tried to go on to the next thing, and they stayed because it was important,” Riley said.

“Honestly, a bunch of guys in the locker room and in the coaching staff that felt that way,” he continued, “and that’s the reason why we won the game.”

ocregister.com

_______

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John Weld
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January 1, 2024 10:20 pm

BOWL CONTEST UPDATE

Just one game left and there and Mrs G is leading with 12 points followed by DubPar with 11 points. They both picked Michigan in the final game. However Scoochnew is also sitting at 11 points but with his final pick of Washington he could tie MrsG with a Washinton win.

Click on link to see the updated scorecard.

https://trojandailyblog.com/tdb-college-football-bowl-contest-2023/

Golden Trojan
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January 1, 2024 10:28 pm
Reply to  John Weld

C’mon MrsG! Smoke us all! Way to pick em!

Fighton74
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January 7, 2024 10:57 am

file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/ca/10/63FC56AD-BB25-44EB-A2BA-E36340405CF9/View%20recent%20photos.heic I think this is probably a joke, but I do have to say that the arrogance of SC sometimes is there worst enemy. There is some truth to the equation though because Washington has jumped out and is in the National Title with a spread offense so that is at least promising for LR I’m sure. However l think Washington’s coaching staff also understands team balance a little more than LR has. I’m hoping that the addition of Lynn and some of these transfer portal players is going to help us turn the page on defense. I see this… Read more »

volunteerTrojan
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January 2, 2024 11:08 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Definitely. Nix’s show against Liberty is hardly newsworthy.

parcelman007
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January 1, 2024 10:14 pm

I watched both the Washington and Oregon game. Those teams have great rythm. They line up, snap the ball with 10 or more seconds left on the play clock and get rid of the ball quickly on passing plays. It’s hard to sack the QB against these guys. Nix was sacked 5 times and Penick was sacked 10 times in the whole year….15 times between the two of them in 28 games. Caleb was sacked 33 times(more than twice that) in just 13 games. That has more to do with Caleb hanging onto the ball than with the O-Line. Caleb… Read more »

Golden Trojan
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January 1, 2024 10:33 pm
Reply to  parcelman007

Nix and Penix will have a better NFL career than CW.

USC1988
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January 1, 2024 10:49 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

lol … no chance

Chris
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Chris
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January 2, 2024 7:19 am
Reply to  Golden Trojan

Nix will be a career backup, maybe. Penix is legit. Caleb can do things that neither dream of doing.

alfa1
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January 2, 2024 8:01 am
Reply to  Chris

Perhaps, but I don’t see Caleb being able to run around in the back field like he did at SC in the league, there, they have linemen as fast as Caleb.

Steveg
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January 2, 2024 8:07 am
Reply to  alfa1

I can see with some serious coaching for 8-10 hours a day Caleb is going to be able to make those reads faster. He has to or else. Nfl is so much faster everywhere on the field.
Some things can be taught but Caleb has intangibles that just come naturally, like eyes in the back of his head or something.

USC1988
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January 2, 2024 12:23 pm
Reply to  Steveg

For longevity alone … CW is a natural, he will adjust.

alfa1
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January 2, 2024 2:11 pm
Reply to  USC1988

Well,I guess we’ll see as time goes bye.

Steveg
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January 1, 2024 9:58 pm

At this point there have been 20 upsets out of 38 bowl games. Including Washington over Texas. What a season.

Golden Trojan
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January 1, 2024 10:29 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Steveg your wife is a keeper!

Steveg
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Steveg
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January 2, 2024 7:54 am
Reply to  Golden Trojan

Ya but she is getting a little cocky over this contest. I guess I just have to grin and bear it.

John Weld
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January 2, 2024 2:11 pm
Reply to  Steveg

😝

volunteerTrojan
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January 1, 2024 9:53 pm

Wow, #25 made a fantastic defensive play to save the game.

HOF19
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HOF19
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January 1, 2024 9:52 pm

That is about a good a play as a Defensive Back can make .

USC1988
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January 1, 2024 10:54 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Suck’s final 3 dumb ass fades were his tribute to his idiot pal GoatBoy Kiffin

Steveg
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January 2, 2024 7:54 am
Reply to  USC1988

So very true. Some things will never change.

USC1988
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January 2, 2024 12:20 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Weak schedule … Goatboy had two games to win and got drubbed both times, including by 50 pts vs Georgia. Pressure is on that creep next year, we know how him and Suck handle pressure.
Looks like creepy Kiffy gave up the 18 year old bimbos for the money grabbing bimbos. We all know she sure the hell doesn’t like that creep.

HOF19
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January 1, 2024 9:32 pm

Last August anybody here in TDB that called up Vegas and put Cash money down on University of Washington winning the National Championship ? …..I know I didn’t .

volunteerTrojan
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January 1, 2024 9:11 pm

UW got too lackadaisical late 3rd early 4th qtr, wasted some oppty to put the game away by getting too cute, and now have a game on their hands.

USC1988
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January 1, 2024 10:52 pm

Indeed … what was with the jr high trick plays and horrible last series

HOF19
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January 1, 2024 7:03 pm

Penix headed for a 400 yards passing game ?

Chris
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January 1, 2024 8:13 pm
Reply to  HOF19

Easy, most likely will get to 500.

USC1988
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January 1, 2024 10:59 pm
Reply to  Chris

What the hell did Texas do in practice the past 3 weeks, they didn’t think Pennis would chuck it every play … Suck used his time giving fluffy interviews to arse boy Herbstreet.

volunteerTrojan
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January 1, 2024 6:33 pm

Sark, please change out of those white pants at half time…

USC1988
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January 1, 2024 10:51 pm

That guy is a complete clown … those ESPN heart attack fluff pieces were laughable. The creep abused coke and booze for two decades ruining two programs, that’s why he had a heart attack

volunteerTrojan
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January 1, 2024 6:19 pm

UW defense is getting shredded. Shootout game?

Trojan5
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January 1, 2024 6:42 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Happy New Year Allen. I agree about Jen Cohen. Optimistic she will help SC get over the hump in the CFP.. Watching the AL-MI game a question came to mind and I had an observation: Question—after watching the AL defense, who thinks Domani Jackson will be a starter let alone get significant snaps? Observation—watching good tackling teams makes the woeful SC defense even more frustrating.

parcelman007
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January 1, 2024 7:17 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I’d be surprised if he plays a lot at Bama. If he wanted to transfer, he shouldn’t have gone to Bama.

Trojan5
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January 1, 2024 7:29 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

SC had the worst defense in college football. IMO whoever left wasn’t a difference maker and can be easily replaced.

USC1988
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January 1, 2024 11:06 pm
Reply to  Trojan5

Michigan and Alabama were hitting! hope Michigan takes advantage of Huskies poor run D unlike Suck, who needed to keep Huskie O of field not try and out pass them like he did. Huskies are tough matchup for Michigan with that pass attack and Penis getting rid of it quickly and won’t take sacks like Bama qb.
Going to be interesting. Pulling for Michigan but would nit surprise me if Udub TCUed them.

Chris
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January 1, 2024 6:00 pm

Texas and Washington are both better than Michigan.

USC1988
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January 1, 2024 11:09 pm
Reply to  Chris

No … certainly not Texas. Penis is dangerous but Michigan and #20 could bully them and control the ball.

illinoisusc
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January 1, 2024 5:47 pm

Come on Washington….make it a great night.

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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January 1, 2024 5:46 pm

Good game!…..Congrats to Mich fans and the BIG.

Chris
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Chris
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January 1, 2024 5:45 pm

All those timeouts for that call? What? Great job OC and Saban.

Steveg
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January 1, 2024 7:07 pm
Reply to  Chris

One of the worst calls I have seen in quite a while.

TrojanMPA90
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January 1, 2024 5:45 pm

Congratulations to Michigan!

illinoisusc
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January 1, 2024 5:38 pm

Well…..at least he can run….sometimes

TrojanMPA90
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January 1, 2024 5:36 pm

Now Bama’s turn

Chris
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January 1, 2024 5:35 pm

Corum is a stud.

HOF19
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HOF19
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January 1, 2024 5:32 pm

January 1 and they are Hyping the Masters.

HOF19
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HOF19
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January 1, 2024 5:30 pm

Well doesn’t Hockey have OT games that last 7 hours ?

Chris
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January 1, 2024 5:32 pm
Reply to  HOF19

Playoffs can get that way. Regular season, not any longer. A shortened period with 4 on 4 and then a shootout if nobody scores.

Chris
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January 1, 2024 5:33 pm
Reply to  Chris

Or it can be 3 seconds if someone scores. It’s sudden death.

HOF19
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HOF19
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January 1, 2024 5:28 pm

OT

Chris
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Chris
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January 1, 2024 5:26 pm

Michigan punt return is brutal.

illinoisusc
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January 1, 2024 5:27 pm
Reply to  Chris

If I were coaching this game it would have been heart attack city on either side.

HOF19
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HOF19
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January 1, 2024 5:22 pm

I think maybe MM (A certain QB out on the west coast) could drive this down for a winning score

illinoisusc
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January 1, 2024 5:23 pm
Reply to  HOF19

Yep!

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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January 1, 2024 5:20 pm

Well…..let’s see if the bama QB can figure out how to throw the ball……seriously

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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January 1, 2024 5:11 pm

I’d also go for 2 if they score

TrojanMPA90
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January 1, 2024 5:16 pm
Reply to  illinoisusc

Makes sense rather than going to OT

HOF19
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HOF19
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January 1, 2024 5:08 pm

4 down territory for Mich from here on in ?????

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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January 1, 2024 5:09 pm
Reply to  HOF19

I would

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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January 1, 2024 5:06 pm

The Michigan D looks exhausted. The bama ol looks 40 pounds bigger.
Bama is stuck with a very poor QB that is doing his best to lose the game but the rest of the team is that good.

HOF19
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January 1, 2024 5:00 pm

 A kind of hypothetical……..somewhat joking story my family tells once is a while …..You put the TOP 200 SENIOR High School Players in this Country in lets say ……Madison Square Garden . They sit in waiting to be picked/offered a spot on a Division 1 team in NCAA. BUT before say …..Marcus Freeman HC of Notre Dame …..Kalen DeBoer HC at Wash ….. Sweeney HC of Clemson ….. Smart of Georgia OR Riley of USC are even ALLOWED INSIDE THE GARDEN …………. NICK SABAN goes inside the Garden alone and gets 1st dibs on ALL the 200 ….Takes The players… Read more »

TrojanMPA90
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January 1, 2024 4:54 pm

Just a reminder that Michigan has a special teams coach.

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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January 1, 2024 5:04 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

You win the snark award of 2024

Chris
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Chris
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January 1, 2024 4:52 pm

I’m not sure if this is elite defense or horrible offenses. They are both physical and tough, but their offenses are very unimaginative.

volunteerTrojan
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January 1, 2024 5:27 pm
Reply to  Chris

Though it’s been refreshing to see so much clean technically sound tackling on first contact.

volunteerTrojan
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January 1, 2024 4:25 pm

Strange hearing huge crowd noise emanating from the Rose Bowl. So it is possible…

RialtoTrojan
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January 1, 2024 4:17 pm

Watching the granddaddy of bowl games thinking our strength and conditioning program better get some miracle grow for the linemen. I see this formation I haven’t seen in years I think it’s called a huddle.

TrojanMPA90
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January 1, 2024 4:12 pm

Nice to see the Alabama’s O-Line having the same problems that SC’s O-Line had all season.

HOF19
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HOF19
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January 1, 2024 3:22 pm

And then……….They screw up the XP.

HOF19
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HOF19
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January 1, 2024 3:20 pm

Michigan looking like they picked it up a level higher that they where playing about say ……. 10 minutes ago .

Steveg
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Steveg
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January 1, 2024 3:09 pm

Some serious line play going on at the Rose Bowl. Big boys on both sides.

volunteerTrojan
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January 1, 2024 3:24 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Thinking the same thing. Some serious smash-mouth going on in the trenches.

Mich will be a tough out next year.

Chris
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Chris
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January 1, 2024 2:45 pm

Have to admit that the Rose Bowl looks better than just about any other college football setting. I’m hoping for the 1:00 and 4:00 kickoffs next year. LA afternoons are hard to beat.

Steveg
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January 1, 2024 2:48 pm
Reply to  Chris

Hey the only thing missing is Keith Jackson.

Chris
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Chris
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January 1, 2024 3:09 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Yep! I can hear him now. On my Mount Rushmore of sportscasters.
Keith Jackson, Vin, Chick Hearn, Bob Miller.

HOF19
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January 1, 2024 2:11 pm

Yada…….yada…….yada….. Here where I live hearing things like >>>>> “the Minor league Programs like Clemson …..Ohio State and USC SHOULD make sure they watch this game and see how Real Major League football teams like Georgia ……Mich and Alabama operate ” ……Yada……yada …….Yada .This is just me BUT >>>>> FIGHT ON !!!!!

ATL D.D.S.
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ATL D.D.S.
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January 1, 2024 12:45 pm

Y’all stay healthy and happy this year! I am offering my consulting services for choosing the correct political candidate this November! For free!😁

Steveg
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Steveg
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January 1, 2024 2:40 pm
Reply to  ATL D.D.S.

Let me know when you offer the dental care. For Free!😁

volunteerTrojan
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January 1, 2024 12:45 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I share those same sentiments. FSU is probably a good next stop for DJ. When he transferred to OSU, no way he thought conference would dissolve and Smith would bolt.

Chris
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Chris
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January 1, 2024 10:56 am

I now openly root against Iowa and Kirk Ferentz. I hope Tennessee puts up 40plus on them.

volunteerTrojan
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January 1, 2024 12:46 pm
Reply to  Chris

UT freshman qb, a So Cal product, looking solid in his debut.

Steveg
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Steveg
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January 1, 2024 2:44 pm
Reply to  Chris

Riley could have so many comebacks for him, but I hope Riley keeps quiet and just smiles. Firenze should have known better. You have to have a little offense in football, which he has zero.

HOF19
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HOF19
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January 1, 2024 10:22 am

Oregon currently tackling like CRAP.

HOF19
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HOF19
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January 1, 2024 10:19 am

Happy New Year All ….. This Liberty Team might just give Oregon a game ……We Will see.

parcelman007
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January 1, 2024 9:52 am

Miller Moss defensive player award goes to Solomon Tuliapupu. The guy loves the trojans and has faithfully waited his turn. I hope he makes it big next year.

RialtoTrojan
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December 31, 2023 10:26 pm

Happy New Year Trojans. Is it too early to start the 2024 hype machine? Honestly how am I supposed to watch the Rose Bowl without yelling , “what’s your deal?” And will be able to recover from rooting for Michigan when I only hate their coach slightly less than Alabama’s coach? Oh well enjoy the games! !

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