UCLA Week 2007 - Saturday, Your Game Day Rooting Guide

It's "Championship Saturday" and the 77th game of the famous crosstown rivalry. We're heading to the Coliseum early. The tailgating begins at 9:00 a.m. Last time the Bruins came to the Coliseum, GameDay was in the house, but today, they are in San Antonio for the Big XII Championship. ABC is in the house with Terry Gannon, David Norrie, Jeannine Edwards. The game will also be heard on ESPN Radio (Dave Barnett, Rodney Gilmore) and locally on AM 710 KSPN (Pete Arbogast, Paul McDonald, John Jackson). AM 570 (KLAC) and the Bruin Radio Network (Chris Roberts, Matt Stevens and Wayne Cook) broadcasts for the Bruins. Roberts, who predicted a 13-10 UCLA win last year, has declared that the Bruins will win this year 17-14. Parking might be sixty to eighty bucks near the stadium. We'll park early.

Game Promotions: The Trojan Football Alumni Club will create the pre-game Heritage Tunnel on the field as this year’s football senior class (listed below) is introduced. The recognition will include the parents of deceased Trojan players Drean Rucker and Mario Danelo, who would have been graduating seniors. There will be a moment of silence to recognize the recent passing of USC supporter Lou Galen, whose generosity helped build the Galen Center as the new home of Trojan basketball and volleyball. There will be a pre-game flyover by Air Force T-38s. Longtime KTLA reporter Stan Chambers, a USC alumnus, will be recognized for his accomplishments as a journalist in Los Angeles. Trojan men’s tennis player Kaes Van’t Hof will be honored during the Lowe’s Senior Salute for excelling in the classroom and on the court. Rumor has it that the UCLA band will perform Conquest and other USC songs in a halftime spoof.

Things to Do Before The Game: Would you like to see USC's Heisman Trophies? Then check out Heritage Hall before the game. Then you can stop by to see Tommy Trojan here before kicking the flagpoles across from the Rose Garden. FanFest will be set up between the Figueroa and the peristyle entrance

Up-To-The-Minute Weather: The storm was a doozy, but it came early. After earlier forecasts that called for rain in the morning, tapering off in the early afternoon, the current forecast for this afternoon is mostly clear skies.

Up-To-The-Minute Odds: The line opened at 18½, moved up to 20, and is now at 19½. The last time UCLA covered against USC at the Coliseum was 1995 when the unranked Bruins defeated the Rose Bowl bound-Trojans, 24-20.

USC's Injury Update: - Possible: DT Fili Moala (concussion), LB Michael Morgan (ankle), TB Hershel Dennis (quad), OT Sam Baker (hamstring), LB Keith Rivers (ankle), FB-S Alfred Rowe (ankle), OTOG Thomas Herring (knee), DE Trey Henderson (knee), CB Cary Harris (dislocated finger).

Fight Songs - UCLA:

"Sons of Westwood" (played after a good play)

We are Sons of Westwood
And we hail to Blue and Gold
True to thee our hearts will be
Our love will not grow old,
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
Bruins roam the hills of Westwood
By the blue Pacific shores
And if we chance to see
A man from USC
Every Bruin starts to roar.
U...C...L...A...
UCLA, fight, fight, fight!

"Mighty Bruins" (played after a score)

We are the mighty Bruins
The best team in the west!
We're fighting on to victory
To conquer all the rest.
We are the mighty Bruins,
Triumphant ever more,
And you can hear
From far and near
The mighty Bruins roar!

Fight Songs - USC:

"FIGHT ON!" (after first downs and touchdowns)

Fight On for ol’ SC
Our men Fight On to victory.
Our Alma Mater dear,
looks up to you
Fight On and win
For ol’ SC
Fight On to victory
Fight On!

During World War II, an American task force attacked an island held by the Japanese and blasted "Fight On" from the deck of one of the transports to improve moral.

"ALL HAIL"

All hail to Alma Mater,
To thy glory we sing;
All hail to Southern California,
Loud let thy praises ring;
Where Western sky meets Western sea
Our college stands in majesty.
Sing our love to Alma Mater,
Hail, all hail to thee.

TRIBUTE TO TROY: this stanza of pounding drums and blaring horns is played when the band takes the field and again after every defensive stop.

CONQUEST: This battle cry, from Alfred Newman's score to the 1947 film "Captain from Castile," has been played after every USC score and victory since the Trojans adopted it in 1950.

FANFARE: This introduction to Tribute To Troy is played when the band takes the field.

OTHERS: 'All Right Now' is played after USC gets a turnover.  'Another One Bites the Dust' is played after USC gets a sack.  The 'William Tell Overture' is played at the start of the fourth quarter.  "The Emperor's Theme" from Star Wars is played when USC is flagged for a major penalty.

TUSK: If you don't go to USC, and never have, you might think that the lyrics to Fleetwood Mac's hit song "Tusk" go like this:

Why don't you ask him if he's going to stay?
Why don't you ask him if he's going away?
Why don't you tell me what's going on?
Why don't you tell me who's on the phone?
Why don't you ask him what's going on?
Why don't you ask him who's the latest on his throne?
Don't say that you love me!
Just tell me that you want me!
Tusk! Tusk! Tusk! Tusk!
Tusk! Tusk! Tusk! Tusk!
Tusk! Tusk! Tusk! Tusk!
Tusk! Tusk! Tusk! Tusk!
Tusk!

Not so. The lyrics are actually as follows:

Why don't you ask him if he's going to stay?
Why don't you ask him if he's going away?
Why don't you tell me what's going on?
Why don't you tell me who's on the phone?
Why don't you ask him what's going on?
Why don't you ask him who's the latest on his throne?
Don't say that you love me!
U-C-L-A sucks!
Just tell me that you want me!
Tusk!
U-C-L-A sucks!
Just say that you love me!
Tusk! Tusk!
U-C-L-A sucks!
Tusk!
U-C-L-A sucks!
Tusk!
U-C-L-A sucks!
Tusk! Tusk! Tusk!
U-C-L-A sucks!
Tusk!

It looks odd on paper, but it sounds great in a stadium. Basically, you mumble or skip all the parts that are not  U-C-L-A sucks! Those parts, you scream at the top of your lungs. Tonight, whilst watching our ESPN, we were singing Tusk like a Trojan does.

USC Bowl Scenarios: If USC defeats UCLA, the Trojans will finish as the Pac-10 champion (or co-champion with Arizona State if the Sun Devils defeat Arizona). In either case, USC will go to the Rose Bowl (it beat ASU in the head-to-head tiebreaker). If USC loses to UCLA, USC will finish in either a 4-way tie for first place in the Pac-10 (if Arizona defeats Arizona State) with UCLA, Arizona State and either Oregon or Oregon State OR in a 3-way tie for second place (if Arizona State defeats Arizona) with UCLA and either Oregon or Oregon State. In the 4-way tie scenario, UCLA would go to the Rose Bowl as the Pac-10 representative based on the Pac-10 tiebreaker. In the 3- way tie scenario, Arizona State would go to the Rose Bowl as the outright Pac-10 champion. In either tie scenario, USC—in order of selection—could be chosen by the Holiday, Sun or Emerald Bowls (or possibly the Las Vegas Bowl, if the Emerald decides to take the Pac-10’s fifth team instead of its fourth) in the event it is not selected as a BCS at-large team.

UCLA Bowl Scenarios: According to my Bruin friends, 1) If the Bruins beat USC, and Arizona wins at Arizona State, UCLA goes to the Rose Bowl; 2) If UCLA beats USC, but Arizona State wins, the Bruins probably go to the Sun Bowl; 3) If UCLA loses and Arizona State wins, it could be the Las Vegas Bowl; 4) If UCLA loses, Arizona wins, Cal loses, the Bruins might make the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl; 5) UCLA loses, Cal wins, Arizona wins, and the Bruins are probably done for the season.

Here are the Pac-10 tiebreaker rules:

a. Two-Team Tie. The winner of the game between the two teams shall be the representative.

b. Multiple-Team Ties.

(1) When three or more teams are tied in Conference play, if one has defeated all others, it shall be the Rose Bowl representative. If that is not the case, a comparison of the tied teams' records against the other tied teams shall be made and the team having the best record against the other tied teams shall be the Rose Bowl representative. If two or more teams are still tied after this comparison, the appropriate two-team or multiple-team tie-breaking procedures shall be repeated among those teams still under consideration.

(2) If more than two teams are still tied after the process above is completed, each remaining tied team's record against the team occupying the highest position in the final regular season standings shall be compared, with the procedure continuing down through the standings until one team gains an advantage.

When arriving at another group of tied teams while comparing records, each team's collective record against the tied teams as a group shall be used.

If at any point in the process the multiple-team tie is reduced to two teams, the two-team tie-breaking procedure shall be applied.

If more than two teams are still tied after comparing their records all the way through the Conference standings, the team among the tied teams with the highest ranking in the final BCS standings shall be the Rose Bowl representative. If a tie remains, the teams most recently earning Rose Bowl or Bowl Championship Series automatic selection shall be eliminated.

Source: http://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111605aac.html

USC seniors being honored:
No. Name Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Birthday Cl.(Ath/Ac) Exp. Hometown (High School/JC/College)
10 BOOTY, John David QB 6-3 215 1/3/85 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Shreveport, LA (Evangel Christian)
16 McDONALD, Michael QB 6-2 185 5/11/85 Sr.*/Sr. 2V Newport Beach (Newport Harbor)
22 REED, Desmond TB 5-9 185 6/16/84 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Temple City (Temple City)
22 ABBOTT, Jim CB 5-10 175 10/8/85 Jr.*/Sr. 1V San Marino (Loyola)
23 WASHINGTON, Chauncey TB 6-1 220 4/29/85 Sr.*/Sr. 2V Torrance (South Torrance)
28 THOMAS, Terrell CB 6-1 200 1/8/85 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Alta Loma (Rancho Cucamonga)
29 YOSHIDA, Brent WR-S 5-10 185 11/22/84 Sr.*/Sr. SQ Huntington Beach (H. Beach/Arizona State)
30 McWHORTER, Chase S 5-8 185 10/3/84 Sr.*/Sr. SQ Coto de Caza (Santa Margarita)
34 DENNIS, Hershel TB 5-11 200 7/12/84 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Long Beach (Poly)
35 ADEWALE, Jody FB 6-0 230 2/21/85 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Los Angeles (Roosevelt)
41 WILLIAMS, Thomas LB 6-3 235 12/25/84 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Vacaville (Vacaville)
44 WOIDNECK, Greg P 6-0 200 6/9/86 Jr.*/Sr. 1V Brea (Brea Olinda/Arizona State/Mt. S.A.C.)
45 SMITH, Brad PK 6-0 180 11/20/84 Sr.*/Sr. TR Danville, PA (Bloomsburg/Davidson)
48 WALKER, Brad WR 6-2 215 10/11/85 Sr./Sr. 3V Tustin (Foothill)
49 ELLIS, Sedrick DT 6-2 305 7/9/85 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Chino (Chino)
50 COLLINS, Will SNP 6-2 230 5/1/85 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Laguna Beach (Mater Dei)
53 BYERS, Jeff OG-C 6-4 285 9/7/85 Jr.*/Sr. 1V Fort Collins, CO (Loveland)
55 RIVERS, Keith LB 6-3 235 5/5/86 Sr./Sr. 3V Lake Mary, FL (Lake Mary)
60 RADOVICH, Drew OT 6-5 305 6/20/85 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo)
66 RACHAL, Chilo OG 6-5 315 3/15/86 Jr.*/Sr. 2V Compton (Dominguez)
69 SPANOS, Matt C 6-5 305 12/31/84 Sr.*/Sr. 2V Corona (Corona)
70 MALU, Alatini OG 6-4 330 4/30/81 Sr.*/Sr. 2V Torrance (Torrance/Long Beach CC)
75 MOALA, Fili DT 6-5 295 6/23/85 Jr.*/Sr. 2V Buena Park (Western)
79 BAKER, Sam OT 6-5 305 5/30/85 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Tustin (Tustin)
83 DAVIS, Fred TE 6-4 250 1/15/86 Sr./Sr. 3V Toledo, OH (Rogers)
89 THOMPSON, Dale TE 6-4 255 4/22/86 Sr./Sr. 3V Corona (Santiago)
96 JACKSON, Lawrence DE 6-5 270 8/30/85 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Inglewood (Inglewood)
97 MORROW, Alex DE 6-6 270 2/4/85 Sr.*/Sr. 3V Rohnert Park (Rancho Cotate)

If they can win, these seniors will be exiting with four straight Pac-10 titles, four BCS bowls, four wins over Notre Dame and three wins over UCLA.

UCLA Seniors. UCLA's 23 seniors will be playing their last Pac-10 contest: OL Brian Abraham, WR Brandon Breazell, DT Kevin Brown, CB Trey Brown, WR Joe Cowan, DE Bruce Davis, DE Nikola Dragovic, LB Fred Holmes, S Chris Horton, OL P.J. Irvin, OL Chris Joseph, S Dennis Keyes, RB Chris Markey, RB Chad Moline, RB Michael Pitre, LS Brian Rubinstein, KR/S Matthew Slater, TE William Snead, OL Noah Sutherland, LB Christian Taylor, OL Shannon Tevaga, CB Rodney Van, LB Aaron Whittington.

Traditions: If you want to learn more about USC's traditions, check out USCRipsit. If you want to learn more about UCLA's traditions, check out this article from the Daily Bruin: Holding Tight to the Memory. I'll give you the highlights:

This Saturday will be the first time in my four years as a student here in Westwood that I won’t be going to the UCLA-USC football game. And for some reason, I don’t really feel too bad about it. I was at the Coliseum for the 66-19 rout two years ago, and I don’t know if I could sit through another game like that. I just can’t do it. ... I just want to cling on to the last memory I have of watching UCLA football: 13-9.

Big difference between USC and UCLA: if the Bruins beat the Trojans by four points at home, it's a memory to cling to like the birth of your first child or something. USC beats UCLA and it's "Great. That puts us one step closer to our goals for the season." And check out this one, too: plans are in place to deal with celebratory riots if the Bruins win. Good grief.

Where Are They Now? The L.A. Times did a feature on last year's hero for the Bruins, Eric McNeal, who tipped and intercepted John David Booty's pass to kill the Trojans' last big drive inside the UCLA ten-yard line. "

McNeal's big tip Eric McNeal got his chance and made it count to help UCLA beat USC last year; today he drives a forklift. A week before the big game and the kitchen floor is sparkling. "I do the mopping around here," Eric McNeal says. A week before the big game and the bathrooms are shining. "That's also my job," he says. A week before the big game, and Eric McNeal is sitting at the dining-room table of the modest Carson home he shares with his parents, figuring out his work schedule. Today, clean the house. Tuesday through Friday, report to a nearby warehouse to drive a forklift.

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Finally, here's your official Coliseum Game Day Guide.

Coliseum Fan Guide:

Directions:  From the North - Take the 110 Freeway south, exit Exposition Blvd., turn left on Flower St., follow the directional signs to Coliseum and parking.  From the South - Take the 110 Freeway north, exit Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., turn left on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., follow directional signs to Coliseum and parking.  From the East - Take the 10 Freeway west, exit Los Angeles St., turn left on Broadway St. or Hill St., follow directional signs to Coliseum and parking. From the West - Take the 10 Freeway east, exit Hoover St. and turn right, turn left on Jefferson St., turn right on Figueroa St., continue past campus and follow directional signs to Coliseum and parking.

Parking - General parking is extremely limited around the Coliseum on Game Days. There are many different lots to choose from that are not directly located on Coliseum property, but are within a comfortable walking distance. Lots in close proximity of the Coliseum include:

USC Campus Parking - (Map: USC Campus Parking Map) USC owned parking structures will open 5 hours before kickoff. Prices: PSA, PSB, PSD, PSX - $20, PS1, PS2 - $25, USC Parking Center (with shuttle to Coliseum) - $20.

Coliseum Complex Parking - (Map: Coliseum Parking Map) All Coliseum parking lots will open approximately 6 hours prior to kickoff. The only General Public parking lot available is on the South Lawn of the Natural History Museum. To access the South Lawn, enter on Menlo Ave. and Exposition Blvd. All other lots are reserved for USC Athletic Department Donors. Prices for all lots:  Cars (South Lawn) - $25, Recreational Vehicles & Buses (Lot 2) - $125 per day, Classic Parking may open RV parking in Lot 2 the Friday before the game. For updates and additional Coliseum parking information please call Classic Parking at (213) 749-5654.

Off Site Parking - Please check back for more information. You can also consult your local newspaper for up to date information.

Shuttle Services - A shuttle runs from USC Parking Center (Jefferson and Grand) to the Coliseum (39th and Figueroa) starting 3 hours before game time. Another will be running, this week only, to and from Staples Center.

Heritage Hall - Home to the USC Athletic Department, Heritage Hall houses six of the seven Heisman trophies (Mike Garrett's is on loan to the College Football Hall of Fame), the 2004 Football National Championship trophy, all retired football jerseys, the Lexus Gauntlet, as well as numerous awards and trophies representing all USC student athletes from past years.

Tailgating - Tailgating is permitted on Game Days, both on campus or in the parking lots. There are some rules that you must abide by, including: you may not occupy adjacent parking spaces for your tailgate. Click here for a USC Campus Tailgate reservation form and complete list of tailgate policies.

Trojan Walk Two hours prior to kickoff, the team arrives at the east end of Christmas Tree Lane and walks into the Coliseum through the Peristyle. Yellow ropes will be set up to guide the team into the Coliseum. Please do not cross the ropes once they are in place and please obey any request from USC staff or security while attending the Trojan Walk.

Merchandise Official USC merchandise can be found in various areas on campus and on the Coliseum grounds during Game Day. There are merchandise stands set up on campus along Trousdale Parkway, one outside Coliseum Gate 1 on the southeast end of the stadium, and one on the west end of the Trojan Fan Fest. Also, there are merchandise stands inside the Coliseum gates, throughout the concourse.

Bookstore - The USC Bookstore is located in the center of campus just south of Tommy Trojan. On the second floor, you can find officially licensed USC products, Team Trojan merchandise, and Nike game jerseys.

Trojan Fan Fest - The Trojan Fan Fest opens 4 hours prior to kickoff of every home game. There are inflatable games for the kids and free giveaways for fans.

Ticket Policy - A USC Football ticket holder is restricted to seating in the location that appears on the tickets and agrees to abide by stadium and University policies, as well as City, State, and Federal laws. USC reserves the right to revoke tickets by refund of purchase.

Will-Call Booths - The general will-call booth is located outside Gate 4. Will-call opens 3 hours prior to kick-off and will remain open until the end of the 1st quarter. At the end of the 1st quarter, general will-call tickets will be moved to Gate 33 at the player will-call area. Picture identification is required for ticket pick-up.

Coliseum Entry Gates - You may enter the Coliseum through Gates 1, 4, 11, 16, 19, 23, and 28A up to 2 hours prior to kickoff. Gate 28 is for student entrance only with a valid student ID and the purchase of a Spirit Activity Card. The student gate opens two and a half hours prior to kickoff.

Coliseum Stadium Policies - Per the request of the Los Angeles Police Department, no re-entry privileges will be given to any ticket holder. The Coliseum and USC Game Management has the authority to prohibit any items deemed a security risk. Patrons will be required to discard or return such items to their vehicles or residence. Non-reusable sealed water bottles will be allowed into the stadium.

Customer Service - The Coliseum Office is located on the east end of the stadium, just south of the Olympic torch, directly below the stadium temperature gauge. The office can be reached at (213) 747-7111.

Game Management Office - Located in the east end of the stadium, just north of the Olympic torch, directly below the Stadium Clock, in the North Office.

First Aid - The Coliseum hospital is located on the Concourse level (Row 68), across from tunnel 6. Roaming First Aid teams are located at the Tunnels on the north, south, west, and east sides of the stadium. Please contact the nearest usher or security officer if medical attention is needed.

Lost and Found - Located in the Coliseum office. Found items may be given to any usher in your section who will turn them into the office. For more information please call (213) 747-1111, weekdays 8:30am - 4:30pm.

Restrooms - Located immediately inside the Coliseum gates at Tunnels 19-20 and 26-27 (on the north side), adjacent to Tunnels 2-3 and 9-10 (on the south side), and Tunnels 13-14 (on the west side). Restrooms are also located throughout the Concourse level (Row 68). Outside the Coliseum gates, a permanent restroom is located at Gate 4. Portable restrooms can be found around the Trojan Fan Fest and in various locations throughout Exposition Park.

Drinking Fountains - Located at various locations adjacent to the restrooms.

Telephones - Located inside Gate 6 next to the ATM.

ATMs - Located on the Yard level at Gates 6, 14, and 23.

Escalators - Available for those needing assistance up stairs for upper level seating. Escalators are adjacent to sections 4, 11, and 19 and will exit at Row 68. Please do not crowd the escalators or jump while using them as it may cause mechanical failure.

Elevator - Located at Tunnel 6. Elevator use is for handicap access only.

Concessions - Concession stands providing many choices of delicious Game Day foods and refreshing Coca-Cola products are located on Yard level outside of Tunnels 4, 6, 16, and 23. Additional concessions are located on the Concourse level outside every other tunnel.

Students - Students can enter the Coliseum on game days up to two and a half hours prior to kickoff. Student seating is first-come, first-serve and is accessed with a valid student I.D. and the purchase of a Spirit Activity Card. Student I.D.s are scanned electronically and can only be used once per game.

Comments

[chi]

"Rumor has it that the UCLA band will perform Conquest and other USC songs in a halftime spoof."

Kinda of a lame rumor there... the "downfall of troy" show was performed two weeks prior to the ucla vs. usc game. they perform the "downfall of troy" every fourth year. the marching band used to perform it at the 'sc game, but it created riots so they had to perform it at the game previous.