David Gibson

David Gibson is the big hit that USC almost missed. Hard as it is to believe now, Gibson spent much of the first part of the season on the bench. Lately, he has spent a lot of time forcing fumbles and recording sacks, emerging as one of the heavy hitters on the Trojan defense. Even though he has started only four games, Gibson--a sophomore--leads USC in tackles for loss with 15 and in forced fumbles with five.

David Gibson is the big hit that USC almost missed. Hard as it is to believe now, Gibson spent much of the first part of the season on the bench. Lately, he has spent a lot of time forcing fumbles and recording sacks, emerging as one of the heavy hitters on the Trojan defense. Even though he has started only four games, Gibson--a sophomore--leads USC in tackles for loss with 15 and in forced fumbles with five.

Iridium, the global satellite telephone company that filed for bankruptcy protection last month, said it hired Alvarez & Marsal Inc., a New York-based firm that specializes in turning around ailing companies, to help it restructure. Iridium also said Leo Mondale had resigned as chief financial officer, a post he had held since April. David Gibson, a managing director for Alvarez & Marsal, was named interim CFO, and another managing director, Joseph Bondi, was named chief restructuring officer.

As demand has surged for books by the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, books about him in his new role as Pope Benedict XVI are quickly being readied for publication. Doubleday has scheduled a pair of them for May: a collection of the new pope's writings, and a biography by John Allen Jr., whose previous book on Ratzinger was released in 2000. Barnes & Noble Inc. is publishing its own book, by scholar Greg Tobin.

The speech and debate team for the South Orange County Community College District won second place at the national championships in Atlanta earlier this month. The team, consisting of students from Saddleback and Irvine Valley colleges, won 24 awards. "We were very proud of this team for many reasons," said Gary Rybold, coach at Irvine Valley College. "Every member of the team received an award, a feat we haven't accomplished in the last three years."

If USC can beat Oregon on Saturday night at the Coliseum, the Trojans will have a winning record for the first time since early November, when they were 5-4 before losses to Stanford and UCLA and the season-ending victory over Notre Dame. Oregon is 4-3, but only 1-3 in the Pacific 10 with a victory over Arizona but losses to Stanford, Washington State and UCLA. None of USC's five remaining opponents has losing record, although Oregon State is 3-3 and 0-3 in the Pac-10.

Members of the South Orange County Community College District speech and debate team talked their way into becoming state champions in competitions held in Santa Rosa among 25 community colleges. Moorpark College in Ventura County took second place and Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa was third. The 16-member South Orange County team included students from Irvine Valley and Saddleback colleges.

Brian Berg DL, Santa Margarita 6-1, 225, Sr. * Junior Barnes DL, Santa Ana Valley 6-1, 280, Sr. * Andrew Tuzzolino DL, Capistrano Valley 6-1, 215, Sr. * Fred Roberts Linebacker, University 6-3, 225, Sr. * Tony Romo Linebacker, El Modena 6-2, 235, Sr. * Brandon Smith LB, San Clemente 6-1, 205, Sr. * John Wilkie Linebacker, Fullerton 5-10, 195, Sr. * Graig Chow, Pacifica Defensive back, Pacifica 5-9, 170, Sr. * David Gibson DB, Mater Dei 6-2, 205, Sr.

USC's seniors huddled on the field with Coach Paul Hackett for about 10 minutes after practice Thursday to talk about the final three games. They're zeroed in on UCLA, but Washington State has to come first. "We need to get momentum from this game so we can go into the UCLA game and end the [eight-year losing streak,]" safety David Gibson said. "We need to get a win under our belt so we can understand what winning is like again.

Linebacker David Gibson, USC's second-leading tackler, didn't practice Tuesday and Coach Paul Hackett said a decision on whether Gibson will play against Notre Dame might go "right down to game time." Gibson left the UCLA game after suffering a bruised thigh. There's also a question about defensive tackle Ennis Davis, who has a sprained foot, and defensive tackle Aaron Williams has a strained Achilles' tendon.

New USC Coach Pete Carroll hired his first assistant Monday, naming DeWayne Walker to oversee the secondary. Walker spent the last three seasons in a similar role with the New England Patriots. "He was with me . . . in the NFL, and he was able to learn my style and understand my system," Carroll said. "He has a vast knowledge of coaching the secondary."