Pete Carroll could barely keep it together.
Standing before a capacity crowd at USC's annual football awards banquet last month, Carroll was breezing through a speech when he glanced toward the Trojans' seniors lined up across the stage.
Carroll plays misty for his seniors
One of the greatest classes in USC history plays its final game today, and coach gets a little choked up about it.
"Always be humble," Carroll said, his eyes welling.
"Always be kind," he managed, his voice catching in his throat. "Always be respectful. Always compete."
Carroll had reason to get misty. This season's senior class, comprised mainly of players who enrolled in 2003 but also including several from 2004 and one from 2002, is leaving after having helped the Trojans win two national titles and five consecutive Pacific 10 Conference championships. (Running back Hershel Dennis, a sixth-year senior, also played for the 2002 Pac-10 champions.)
"It's an amazing body of work that these guys have brought forth," Carroll said a few minutes after his speech. "It hit me: 'How am I going to do without these guys?' "
Today's Rose Bowl game against Illinois marks the final time the seniors will play for a program that has put together one of the most successful runs in college football history.
USC is 69-8 in the last six seasons under Carroll. The Trojans are playing in their sixth consecutive Bowl Championship Series bowl game.
"I remember when I committed, I had people saying, 'Why are you going there? They got beat by whoever in the [2001] Vegas Bowl,' " defensive end Lawrence Jackson said. "But I saw in the coaches and what they were telling me the makings of a good program. They just needed to get the pieces of the puzzle."
Dennis was a member of the 2002 team that went 11-2 and beat Iowa in the Orange Bowl, setting the stage for an influx of talent that ranks among the best in USC's storied history.
Running backs Reggie Bush, LenDale White and Chauncey Washington all played as first-year freshmen in 2003 when the Trojans went 12-1 and won the Associated Press national title.
In 2004, USC went 13-0 and won the BCS title.
"After redshirting my freshman year, we went undefeated and I didn't think we would ever lose," offensive tackle Sam Baker said. "Coach Carroll always talked about, 'You can go as long as you want.' "
USC's winning streak reached 34 games before Texas ended it in the 2006 BCS title game in the Rose Bowl.
Offensive lineman Drew Radovich said former players such as Kenechi Udeze, Shaun Cody, Mike Patterson and Lofa Tatupu provided the example for a run that included last year's Rose Bowl victory over Michigan.
"We learned from the older guys what it takes to win," Radovich said. "I think that's why we struggled a little bit this year. Because our young guys maybe thought it just came with the program. 'Hey, I'm going to put the cardinal and gold on and do it.' "
Said cornerback Terrell Thomas: "The difference in our class compared to other classes that came in is we all wanted to be great."
Before his address to the seniors, Carroll introduced each one and called him to the stage. Quarterback John David Booty made a point of walking the length of the line to embrace or shake hands with every teammate.
"All the guys who've been a part of this program -- the starters, the backups, the service-team walk-ons, whatever -- really should feel a part of what we've done," Booty said later. "It's special, and we needed each and every one of those guys."
Carroll felt the same way.
"The point for me is: They got it," he said.
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
CLASS OF 2003
BCS bowl games for Class of 2003:
* 2004 Rose Bowl: USC 28, Michigan 14
* 2005 Orange Bowl: USC 55, Oklahoma 19*
* 2006 Rose Bowl: Texas 41, USC 38*
* 2007 Rose Bowl: USC 32, Michigan 18
* 2008 Rose Bowl: USC vs. Illinois, today
* denotes BCS title game
Class of 2003 by the numbers
*--* 1 Heisman Trophy winner 2 National championships 5 Pacific 10 Conference titles 6 All-Americans 8 NFL draft picks (and counting) *--*
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
A special class
The players who joined USC's football program in 2003 will be remembered as one of the most successful classes in college football history. Many will conclude their five-year careers today when the sixth-ranked Trojans play 13th-ranked Illinois in the Rose Bowl.
* Jody Adewale, FB, Los Angeles: Former Roosevelt High star redshirted in 2003, then served as career backup. Coaches coaxed him to return as a graduate student for 2007 season to provide depth.
* Sam Baker, OL, Tustin: Redshirted as guard in 2003, then became four-year starter and three-time All-American at left tackle. Possible first-round pick in 2008 NFL draft.
* Chris Barrett, DL/TE, Tustin: Played two games in 2003 before injuries forced him to redshirt. Switched to tight end at midseason in 2004, then back to defense in 2005 before injuries cut short his career.
* John David Booty, QB, Shreveport, La.: Graduated from high school a year early, backed up Matt Leinart for three seasons and then led Trojans to two Pacific 10 Conference championships and Rose Bowls.
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