University Southern California Trojans
Travis Claridge Keeps On Dominating For Trojans
November 08, 1999 | Football
Nov. 8, 1999
Four years ago, a brash freshman offensive lineman named Travis Claridge first donned the cardinal and gold uniform of the USC Trojans. On that day, as the Trojans faced Penn State in the Kickoff Classic, Claridge started at right guard and joined Brad Budde as the only true freshman offensive lineman in USC history to start a season opener. Now a battle-worn senior right tackle, Claridge is about to start his 46th consecutive game. If he stays healthy, he will end up starting every game in his career (48 games in all) since the day he set foot on campus--something no other Trojan offensive lineman has ever accomplished (Jeff Bregel started all 47 games at guard in his career but redshirted as a true freshman).
"That would give me a great sense of accomplishment and pride," said Claridge, who made the All-Pac 10 first team as a right guard last season. "When I came to USC, it was my goal to start the first game. I refused to be denied. It's been great starting for four years."
Claridge, who was listed by Sport Magazine as the favorite to win the Outland Trophy, has been USC's best offensive lineman this season despite moving from right guard to right tackle. Of course, it's always good to see a number 71 somewhere on a USC offensive line. Former Trojan All-Americans Budde and Tony Boselli wore the same number.
"I am honored to wear the same number as those guys," said Claridge. "I never saw Budde play, but Boselli is a guy who all linemen try to emulate. His technique is flawless. I'd love to make All-American and take my place with those guys."
Despite starting from day one, Claridge still believes he may have benefitted from a redshirt year. The transition a young player makes from high school to college is a big one.
"I think every freshman should redshirt, especially the guys who play in the trenches," said Claridge. "I came out of high school running 4.85 in the 40 and bench pressing 405 pounds. But there still were guys quicker and stronger than me. A freshman has to learn how to be a football player and a student of the game. When freshmen come to college, they think they know everything about football, but they don't know anything. That's why redshirting that first year is so important."
Claridge has seen a lot in his four years at USC. Players and coaches have come and gone. The one constant has been his steady play and his hard work. Through it all, he never doubted why he came to USC.
"I came here because of the great tradition of offensive linemen," said Claridge. "If I had to do it over again, I'd still pick USC."
His most memorable games have been the annual clashes with archrival Notre Dame. In his career, he is 3-1 versus the Irish, including an epic 27-20 win in his freshman year which broke the 13-game Notre Dame unbeaten streak over USC.
"Beating Notre Dame in overtime my freshman year is my greatest memory here," said Claridge. "Also, beating Notre Dame at South Bend my sophomore year where we hadn't won since 1981 was great, too."
During such a tough season, Claridge has been the rock of an offensive line that has been maligned at times. Despite it all, Claridge still feels that some good things can be accomplished in 1999.
"We can still go out and beat UCLA and end that eight-game losing streak," said Claridge. "That's something to shoot for. Also, I'd like to see Chad Morton get 1,000 rushing yards. It'll help the team, plus show that the line can get the job done."
Nothing can take the sting out of what's been a tough season so far, though. The Trojans started the year with lofty expectations, but injuries and inexperience have cost them.
"I'm very disappointed in this season," said Claridge. "We just need to go out and play for each other and prove everybody wrong somehow."
When his playing days are over, Claridge hopes to discover more of the world outside of football. A history major at USC, he is fascinated by the Civil War period and hopes to one day visit some of that war's battlesites.
"I love history because it tells about real people doing real things," said Claridge. "The Civil War tore this country apart. It was family against family, brother against brother. That's an important era to reflect upon."
It's very befitting that a history major will soon be making his own mark on history. When one looks at the roll-call of USC offensive linemen--Yary, Powell, Budde, Munoz, Matthews, Mosebar, Bregel, Boselli and many others--Claridge is the only one to start every game in his career since his true freshman year. This feat required durability, determination, desire and, most of all, heart. On all counts, Claridge has delivered.
"I want people to say about me that I always worked my butt off," said Claridge. "I want them to remember that I played hurt and I played injured because I loved to play the game and that I played with heart."
Four years and 48 games. That's a lot of heart.
