Everson Griffen

Everson Griffen won't get much time to spend with his family before USC's game against Arizona State next week, but he's still looking forward to being home for the holiday. The freshman defensive end from Avondale, Ariz., also cannot wait to play against his cousin, Sun Devils running back Keegan Herring. "I get to talk a little mess to him," Griffen said Wednesday. Griffen, 19, arrived at USC as one of the Trojans' most heralded recruits.

USC tailback Joe McKnight, who has been the subject of a USC compliance investigation for more than a week, did not suit up for Saturday's 24-13 victory over Boston College in the Emerald Bowl at AT&T Park. McKnight, USC's leading rusher, was held out of the game by USC officials as they continue to explore the junior's relationship with a Santa Monica businessman who owns a sport utility vehicle that McKnight has been observed driving on campus. Coach Pete Carroll said the school was ready to clear McKnight, "if the information came in, but cooperation wasn't exactly what we needed from the other side, not Joe, the other people."

USC linebacker Chris Galippo planned to stay in Ohio through the weekend to visit with relatives from the Midwest. The sophomore will have plenty to talk about after intercepting a pass and helping third-ranked USC defeat eighth-ranked Ohio State, 18-15, in front of an Ohio Stadium-record crowd of 106,033 on Saturday night. Galippo picked off Terrelle Pryor's second pass and returned it 51 yards to set up USC's first touchdown. It was reminiscent of last season when Trojans middle linebacker Rey Maualuga intercepted a pass against Ohio State and returned it for a touchdown.

While USC has enjoyed clear weather in the Bay Area since arriving for the Emerald Bowl, the Trojans have been enshrouded in the fog surrounding Joe McKnigh t's situation. Defensive players, however, have not been distracted, their concentration focused on reclaiming confidence, if not respect, when USC plays Boston College on Saturday at AT&T Park. USC's defense was regarded as one of college football's best during the first half of the season. It mostly has been under fire since the second half of the Trojans' victory over Notre Dame on Oct. 17. "This isn't where we were thinking to go at the beginning of the season, but it's still a huge opportunity for us to get some momentum going into next year," middle linebacker Chris Galippo said Wednesday.

A final decision is not required until mid-January, when the NFL draft deadline looms, but USC tailback Joe McKnight said Thursday that he was leaning toward returning for his senior season. "I feel like right now is not the right time to drop everything and leave," said McKnight, a junior. "I feel like I'm not ready for it. "So I just need one more year to get everything straight and get in line." With rumblings that 2011 rookie signing bonuses could be affected by NFL labor negotiations, an increased number of juniors and third-year sophomores throughout college football are expected to consider making themselves available for the 2010 draft.

USC tailback Joe McKnight, who has been the subject of a USC compliance investigation for more than a week, did not suit up for Saturday's 24-13 victory over Boston College in the Emerald Bowl at AT&T Park. McKnight, USC's leading rusher, was held out of the game by USC officials as they continue to explore the junior's relationship with a Santa Monica businessman who owns a sport utility vehicle that McKnight has been observed driving on campus. Coach Pete Carroll said the school was ready to clear McKnight, "if the information came in, but cooperation wasn't exactly what we needed from the other side, not Joe, the other people."

USC's quarterback competition stalled Friday, though the players vying for the starting job were mostly blameless. There just wasn't much Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain or Matt Barkley could do to push things forward. Not with defensive linemen constantly in their faces. "They just kind of wiped us out today," Corp said. Junior end Everson Griffen led the charge as the defense recorded sack after sack after sack during the full-team scrimmage portion of the workout.

While USC has enjoyed clear weather in the Bay Area since arriving for the Emerald Bowl, the Trojans have been enshrouded in the fog surrounding Joe McKnigh t's situation. Defensive players, however, have not been distracted, their concentration focused on reclaiming confidence, if not respect, when USC plays Boston College on Saturday at AT&T Park. USC's defense was regarded as one of college football's best during the first half of the season. It mostly has been under fire since the second half of the Trojans' victory over Notre Dame on Oct. 17. "This isn't where we were thinking to go at the beginning of the season, but it's still a huge opportunity for us to get some momentum going into next year," middle linebacker Chris Galippo said Wednesday.

Position-group meetings the night before USC games are typically brief, coaches quietly offering a few reminders for players to sleep on. However, nothing about defensive line coach Jethro Franklin is drowse-inducing. "Jethro is so loud, you can always hear their meeting," linebacker Chris Galippo said, laughing. "Before the Notre Dame game he was telling them, 'Every one of you guys is going to play! So get your minds right!' " Franklin wasn't fibbing. USC deployed 10 defensive linemen in its victory over the Fighting Irish, depth that enabled the Trojans to bring fresh pressure that resulted in five sacks.

USC, already missing several starters because of injuries, will also be without Pacific 10 Conference sack leader Everson Griffen when it plays Arizona State tonight. Griffen, a junior defensive end from Avondale, Ariz., suffered a toe injury against Oregon. He did not practice this week, working instead with trainers on the sidelines with the hope of healing enough to play. Griffen, however, did not make the trip. "He woke up . . . a little bit worse maybe from the work they did [Thursday]

A final decision is not required until mid-January, when the NFL draft deadline looms, but USC tailback Joe McKnight said Thursday that he was leaning toward returning for his senior season. "I feel like right now is not the right time to drop everything and leave," said McKnight, a junior. "I feel like I'm not ready for it. "So I just need one more year to get everything straight and get in line." With rumblings that 2011 rookie signing bonuses could be affected by NFL labor negotiations, an increased number of juniors and third-year sophomores throughout college football are expected to consider making themselves available for the 2010 draft.

USC, already missing several starters because of injuries, will also be without Pacific 10 Conference sack leader Everson Griffen when it plays Arizona State tonight. Griffen, a junior defensive end from Avondale, Ariz., suffered a toe injury against Oregon. He did not practice this week, working instead with trainers on the sidelines with the hope of healing enough to play. Griffen, however, did not make the trip. "He woke up . . . a little bit worse maybe from the work they did [Thursday]

Position-group meetings the night before USC games are typically brief, coaches quietly offering a few reminders for players to sleep on. However, nothing about defensive line coach Jethro Franklin is drowse-inducing. "Jethro is so loud, you can always hear their meeting," linebacker Chris Galippo said, laughing. "Before the Notre Dame game he was telling them, 'Every one of you guys is going to play! So get your minds right!' " Franklin wasn't fibbing. USC deployed 10 defensive linemen in its victory over the Fighting Irish, depth that enabled the Trojans to bring fresh pressure that resulted in five sacks.

USC linebacker Chris Galippo planned to stay in Ohio through the weekend to visit with relatives from the Midwest. The sophomore will have plenty to talk about after intercepting a pass and helping third-ranked USC defeat eighth-ranked Ohio State, 18-15, in front of an Ohio Stadium-record crowd of 106,033 on Saturday night. Galippo picked off Terrelle Pryor's second pass and returned it 51 yards to set up USC's first touchdown. It was reminiscent of last season when Trojans middle linebacker Rey Maualuga intercepted a pass against Ohio State and returned it for a touchdown.

USC's quarterback competition stalled Friday, though the players vying for the starting job were mostly blameless. There just wasn't much Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain or Matt Barkley could do to push things forward. Not with defensive linemen constantly in their faces. "They just kind of wiped us out today," Corp said. Junior end Everson Griffen led the charge as the defense recorded sack after sack after sack during the full-team scrimmage portion of the workout.

Everson Griffen won't get much time to spend with his family before USC's game against Arizona State next week, but he's still looking forward to being home for the holiday. The freshman defensive end from Avondale, Ariz., also cannot wait to play against his cousin, Sun Devils running back Keegan Herring. "I get to talk a little mess to him," Griffen said Wednesday. Griffen, 19, arrived at USC as one of the Trojans' most heralded recruits.

Hawaii fired athletic director Herman Frazier on Tuesday after he failed to re-sign football coach June Jones. In a brief statement, the university said the move was made "in the best interest of the athletics program." It came a day after Jones, the winningest coach in team history, accepted a five-year deal worth about $2 million a year to coach at Southern Methodist.

USC tailback Stafon Johnson is not expected to play against Arizona, and the former Dorsey High star said Thursday that his foot injury is more serious than first thought. Johnson, a sophomore, said what was first diagnosed as a left foot bruise suffered during USC's victory over Washington State on Oct. 22 was subsequently revealed to also include a sprain. The injuries have prevented Johnson from practicing for two weeks.