Three defensive coaches fired as USC shakes up football staff

“Each of these men are outstanding men and outstanding coaches”, Helton said. At one point during the first quarter, McCaffrey was Stanford’s statistical leader in rushing and passing yards, at the same time. He also broke Barry Sanders’ NCAA single-season record for all-purpose yardage in a season (3,250) in the second quarter and now has a total of 3,496.

But while there will be no roses, something is blooming.

After USC scored to make it a one-possession game, McCaffrey put the capper on another Stanford win with a 27-yard touchdown reception when he was left wide open in the middle of the field.

The 2015 Holiday Bowl will feature a matchup between the USC Trojans and Wisconsin Badgers. You can also catch the full press conference right here.It seems that a lot of people are looking at this game and thinking Stanford will easily win the contest.

Those semi-jilted football schools did pick up invitations to the Rose Bowl, where they meet January 1 in Pasadena, Calif. Each stumbled at inopportune times to cost them a shot at a national championship. Their defense is better, their offensive line is better and certainly the magnificent Mr. McCaffrey puts them on a whole different level.

“What I take away from it is as a bunch of players coming together as a team, coming together as a family”, said Helton. That’s a guy I have posters on my wall growing up.

It was all about those three plays.

“He’s the best player in the nation”.

Zurek rushed 21 times for 72 yards and quarterback Connor Rice was 9 of 26 for 92 yards for Wabash (12-1), which got nine solo tackles from Austin Brown.

When Stanford linebacker Blake Martinez knocked the ball out of the hand of USC quarterback Cody Kessler while getting a sack, Cardinal defensive end Solomon Thomas picked up the fumble and ran 42 yards for a touchdown that increased Stanford’s lead to 27-16. The Trojans were outgained, 417-357.

No. 17 HOUSTON 24, No. 20 TEMPLE 13: In Houston, Greg Ward Jr. ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns and the Cougars won the inaugural American Athletic Conference Championship game.

Remember, this is a team that shouldn’t have been here.

“The second half, we came out and played great”, Kessler said.

Helton stopped the bleeding.

McCaffrey truly did it all for Stanford, gaining 207 on the ground, 105 in the air, 149 on returns and even completing an 11-yard TD pass to quarterback Kevin Hogan, good for a total of 461 all-purpose yards.

“I reminded them in that locker room just to remember what this pain feels like, because it’s our goal next year to be right back here next year, and I want them to remember how bad this hurts”, Helton said. “I’ll be looking at all avenues, several coaches”.

For the game, Hogan was an efficient 9-for-12 on pass attempts, throwing for 144 yards and one touchdown. Haden didn’t attend Saturday’s game, and has missed the last seven games after taking a knee and requiring medical attention on the sidelines at Notre Dame.

Helton, when asked directly, declined to say whether he had spoken with two popular former assistant coaches, Ed Orgeron and Clancy Pendergast, about a return to USC.

I’m guessing once the game was over, Haden probably felt relieved that he didn’t have to face the hard prospect of trying to deal with what could have been.

“It’s not even close”, Shaw said. The bigger question for Pat is, health versus opportunity.

Whatever drama awaits them, the Trojans are used to it by now. USC will learn its destination Sunday.