The president may have better things to do

But Tennessee's season ended on a down note, as USC pulled off 14-0 victory.

The reason? Apparently, some Tennessee players were ready to "volunteer" for just about anything.

Bill Ferguson, Barnes' great nephew, said Barnes told him, "Four key starters were taken out on the town by local celebrities, who were USC fans. They kept them out all night and by the time the game rolled around, they were pooped, sick and tired."

Unfortunately for Tennessee, the NCAA did not have any undue (under the) influence rules.

Trivia answer

Steve Garvey played for the Dodgers when Aaron broke the home run record in 1974, then was with the San Diego Padres for Rose's record-breaker in 1985.

And finally

Boxer Jermain Taylor, to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, on why he was looking forward to his bout against WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch: "My last few fights have been all sweet, huggy, kissy. I finally got somebody that I really don't like."

Froch knocked out Taylor in the final minute Saturday night. He probably really didn't like that.

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mike.penner@latimes.com