University Southern California Trojans
Auburn Plays In California for Second Time
September 02, 2002 | Football
Sept. 2, 2002
By KEN PETERS
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES -- Quarterback Carson Palmer's last season at Southern California begins Monday when Auburn makes a rare visit to the West Coast.
"There isn't anyone that can throw more accurately, that will run more effectively and have that passing ability," USC coach Pete Carroll said of his fifth-year quarterback. "Now we have to show it."
Palmer has yet to have the breakout season expected of him when he first arrived on campus. But Carroll is ever the optimist, especially after the Trojans won four of their last five games and finished 6-6.
Last season, Palmer had 2,717 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also led the Pacific-10 Conference in completion percentage at 58.6.
Auburn, meanwhile, lost four of its last five and finished 7-5. The Tigers figure to have a tough time against No. 20 USC.
"We scheduled this game a couple years ago because we thought it would give us some good chances for recruiting for a couple classes and give us some national publicity," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "We were looking for someone to play with great tradition and that has played excellent football in a city that gets great media attention.
"There's not a better place than USC."
Auburn has played in the state of California just once, ending a weeklong train ride with a 12-0 loss at Santa Clara in 1936. The Tigers and Trojans have met just once - USC won 16-7 in the 1987 Citrus Bowl.
"It's a really big game for the both of us," USC safety Troy Polamalu said. "It's a big chance for both teams to get back onto the national scene, two teams with great football traditions."
In their only previous meeting, the Tigers beat the Trojans 16-7 in the 1987 Citrus Bowl.
"When you play an opening game against a team you don't know anything about and they don't know anything about you, the unknown is always there and it's a lot of fun," Tuberville said.
Palmer agrees.
"It's the first time I've ever played an SEC team," he said. "This is a good opener, should give us a good indication of where we are."
Palmer should get plenty of help from his running backs. Although Justin Fargas has been slowed by injuries, USC is deep in tailbacks. Malaefou MacKenzie is set to start on Monday, with Sultan McCullough also ready to see action. Darryl Poston and Hershel Dennis also have been impressive practice.
"We didn't know who the top guy was coming in and still don't," Carroll said. "Malaefou will start unless something changes, and that gives us great experience and leadership. Sultan will play a bunch, and we'll go from there."
Kareem Kelly and Keary Colbert are the Trojans' leading receivers, and Polamalu heads the defense.
The Tigers' offense features tailback Carnell Williams, who missed most of four games because of injuries last season, He still averaged 5.1 yards a run on 120 carries.
"He's really a great performer," Carroll said. "He can break the game at any time. He tore through the SEC when he was playing last year."
Daniel Cobb, who threw for 1,165 yards and seven TDs while sharing duty with Jason Campbell last year, will open at quarterback. Campbell threw for 1,117 yards and four TDs.
Linebacker Dontarrious Thomas, who had a team-high 122 tackles last year, anchors an Auburn defense that returns eight starters.
