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The 2002 USC Trojans football team represented the
University of Southern California , mottoeng = "Let whoever earns the palm bear it" , religious_affiliation = Nonsectarian—historically Methodist , established = , accreditation = WSCUC , type = Private research university , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $8.1 ...
in the
2002 NCAA Division I-A football season The 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with a double overtime national championship game. Ohio State and Miami both came into the Fiesta Bowl undefeated. The underdog Buckeyes defeated the defending-champion Hurricanes 31–24, ...
. USC ended the regular season ranked #5 in both the
AP Poll The Associated Press poll (AP poll) provides weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling 62 sportswriters and br ...
and the
Coaches' Poll The Coaches Poll is a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football, Division I college basketball, and Division I college baseball teams. The football version of the poll has been known officiall ...
. Trojans quarterback
Carson Palmer Carson Hilton Palmer (born December 27, 1979) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at ...
won the 2002
Heisman Trophy The Heisman Memorial Trophy (usually known colloquially as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman) is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and har ...
as the best college football player in America. During the
bowl games In North America, a bowl game is one of a number of post-season college football games that are primarily played by teams belonging to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA's NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, Division I Fo ...
, USC had a convincing 38–17 win over #3
Iowa Iowa () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wiscon ...
in the
Orange Bowl The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Miami metropolitan area. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935, making it, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Sun Bowl, the second-oldest bowl game in ...
. USC became #4 in the final AP Poll and Coaches' Poll. Other notable players for the USC Trojans in 2002 include WR#2
Kareem Kelly Kareem Kelly (born April 1, 1981) is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. World junior record holder over indoor 50 meters 5.67 sec. He played college footba ...
, RB#21
Malaefou Mackenzie Matthew Mark Maleafou Anesi MacKenzie (born July 24, 1979) is a Samoan former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) in 2003. Career MacKenzie played football at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Vie ...
, QB#10
Matt Cassel Matthew Brennan Cassel (born May 17, 1982) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. A member of seven NFL teams, Cassel's most notable stints were with the New England Patriots ...
, RB#4
Sultan McCullough Sultan Rashad McCullough (born February 12, 1980) is a retired American football running back. He has played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Montreal Alouettes. During ...
, RB#34
Hershel Dennis Hershel Henry Dennis IV (born July 12, 1984) is a former American football running back. He played college football as a student athlete at the University of Southern California. During his six-year career, the Trojans went 70–8 making Dennis ...
(FR) RB#25
Justin Fargas Justin Alejandro Fargas (born January 25, 1980) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Michigan and Southern California and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. College ...
, RB#39 Sunny Byrd, RB#34 Chad Pierson, S#43
Troy Polamalu Troy Aumua Polamalu (; born Troy Benjamin Aumua; April 19, 1981) is an American former football strong safety who played his entire 12-year career for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football ...
, WR#44
Gregg Guenther Gregg Guenther, Jr. (born January 29, 1982, in Calabasas, CA) was a National Football League tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals. College career Guenther played basketball and football at the University of Southern California. He played in 24 ...
, TE#86
Dominique Byrd Dominique Montiel Byrd (born February 7, 1984) is a former American football tight end. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California. He was also a member of the ...
, WR#83
Keary Colbert Patrick Keary Jerel Colbert (born May 21, 1982) is an American football coach and former player who is currently the wide receivers coach at the University of Florida. Colbert played as a wide receiver and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers ...
, WR#1 Mike Williams, WR#7 Sandy Fletcher, WR#82 Donald Hale, TE#88 Doyal Butler, and WR#87
Grant Mattos Grant Logan Mattos (born March 12, 1981) is known as a former NFL wide receiver and special teams player who played for three teams over a four-year career, and as a contestant on '' Survivor: Redemption Island'', the 22nd season of U.S. Surviv ...
. The team was named national champion by both
Dunkel Dunkel, or Dunkles, is a word used for several types of dark German lager. ''Dunkel'' is the German word meaning ''dark'', and dunkel beers typically range in color from amber to dark reddish brown. They are characterized by their smooth malty f ...
and
Matthews Matthews may refer to: People * Matthews (surname) Places * Matthews Island, Antarctica * Matthews Range, Kenya * Mount Matthews, New Zealand United States * Matthews, Georgia * Matthews, Indiana * Matthews, Maryland * Matthews, Missouri * Mat ...
, and co-champion by Sagarin, all NCAA-designated major selectors, although none are claimed by the university.


Recruiting

USC was ranked highly (#12 by Scout, #13 by Rivals) for getting
Darnell Bing Darnell Bing (born September 10, 1984) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California. Bing has also been a member of t ...
,
Manuel Wright Manuel Wright (born April 13, 1984) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2005 supplemental draft. Wright was also briefly signed to the Buffalo Bills and played for the N ...
,
Winston Justice Winston Frederick Justice (born September 14, 1984) is a former American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round (39th overall pick) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at USC. Curr ...
,
Fred Matua Fred Matua (January 14, 1984 – August 5, 2012) was an American football guard. After playing college football for Southern California, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was a member of the Lions, ...
, Tom Malone,
Jason Mitchell Jason Mitchell (born January 5, 1987) is an American actor. Mitchell started his career acting in minor roles in films such as the action-thriller '' Contraband'' (2012), and the neo-noir ''Broken City'' (2013). He is best known for portraying ...
,
Hershel Dennis Hershel Henry Dennis IV (born July 12, 1984) is a former American football running back. He played college football as a student athlete at the University of Southern California. During his six-year career, the Trojans went 70–8 making Dennis ...
, Kyle Williams,
Dominique Byrd Dominique Montiel Byrd (born February 7, 1984) is a former American football tight end. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California. He was also a member of the ...
, Dallas Sartz,
Justin Wyatt Justin Wyatt (born January 27, 1984) is an American football cornerback who was expected to be drafted in the 2006 NFL Draft but went undrafted. Football experience Professional career The National Football League Arizona Cardinals picked him u ...
,
Chris McFoy Chris McFoy (born August 14, 1983) is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Oakland Raiders of the NFL. He is now a Sales Manager At American income life Insurance company. Professional career McFoy was signed as a free age ...
, Mike Williams, LaJuan Ramsey,
Oscar Lua Oscar Lua (born May 9, 1984) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California. Early years The son of Mexican ...
and Brandon Hancock among others.


Schedule


Roster


Game summaries


Auburn


at Colorado


at Kansas State


Oregon State


Washington State


California


Washington


UCLA

*
Carson Palmer Carson Hilton Palmer (born December 27, 1979) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at ...
19/32, 254 Yds, 4 TD *
Kareem Kelly Kareem Kelly (born April 1, 1981) is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. World junior record holder over indoor 50 meters 5.67 sec. He played college footba ...
4 Rec, 94 Yds, 1 TD


Notre Dame

*
Carson Palmer Carson Hilton Palmer (born December 27, 1979) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at ...
32/46, 425 Yds *
Justin Fargas Justin Alejandro Fargas (born January 25, 1980) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Michigan and Southern California and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. College ...
20 Rush, 120 Yds * Mike Williams 10 Rec, 169 Yds


vs. Iowa (Orange Bowl)

USC played third ranked
Iowa Iowa () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wiscon ...
in the
Orange Bowl The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Miami metropolitan area. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935, making it, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Sun Bowl, the second-oldest bowl game in ...
. The matchup featured the top two finalists for that season's Heisman Trophy; Trophy winner
Carson Palmer Carson Hilton Palmer (born December 27, 1979) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at ...
and runner up
Brad Banks Brad Banks (born April 22, 1980) is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Iowa where he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. Early years Banks attended Glades Central High School where he was a First-team A ...
. Banks was the quarterback for the Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes had only lost one game all year and it was to their rival
Iowa State Iowa State University of Science and Technology (Iowa State University, Iowa State, or ISU) is a public land-grant research university in Ames, Iowa. Founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, Iowa State became one of the ...
. Iowa opened the play up with a bang and set an Orange Bowl record when C.J. Jones returned the opening kickoff of the game 100 yards for a touchdown. USC responded with a touchdown run on from running back
Justin Fargas Justin Alejandro Fargas (born January 25, 1980) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Michigan and Southern California and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. College ...
. Iowa regained the lead with a field goal from
Nate Kaeding Nathaniel James Kaeding (born March 26, 1982) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He played the majority of his career with the San Diego Chargers and ...
. USC would kick a field goal in the second quarter to even the score 10-10 at the half. USC came out in the second half and separated themselves from Iowa scoring twice in the third quarter to take a 24-10 lead. The first score was a pass from Palmer to Mike Williams and the second was another run from Fargas. USC ended the third quarter with the ball and scored quickly in the fourth quarter giving them a 31-10 lead. The lead grew when Iowa continued to be unable to do anything with the ball and USC took advantage on a rushing touchdown from fan favorite Sunny Byrd to make the score 38-10. Iowa would score off a touchdown pass from Banks however it was too late. USC would end up winning 38-17. The Trojans dominated time of possession in the game, having control of the ball for 38:06 seconds. This allowed for the Trojans defense to rest while keeping the Iowa defense out on the field and making them tired. USC's defense did not give up a touchdown to Iowa until the fourth quarter of the game and forced Banks to throw his first interception since October 19.


2002 team players in the NFL

*
Marcell Allmond Marcell Allmond (born May 28, 1981) is an American football cornerback. High school career Allmond played high school football at St. Paul High in Santa Fe Springs, California, where he also ran on the track and field team, along with br ...
* Kevin Arbet *
Collin Ashton Collin Ashton (born July 24, 1983) is an American football linebacker. High school football Ashton played at Mission Viejo High School. College football Ashton played college football at the University of Southern California where he gradu ...
*
Darnell Bing Darnell Bing (born September 10, 1984) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California. Bing has also been a member of t ...
* William Buchanon *
Dominique Byrd Dominique Montiel Byrd (born February 7, 1984) is a former American football tight end. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California. He was also a member of the ...
*
Matt Cassel Matthew Brennan Cassel (born May 17, 1982) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. A member of seven NFL teams, Cassel's most notable stints were with the New England Patriots ...
*
Shaun Cody Shaun Michael Cody (born January 22, 1983) is a former American football nose tackle. He played college football for the University of Southern California (USC), and was recognized as a consensus All-American. The Detroit Lions chose him in ...
*
Keary Colbert Patrick Keary Jerel Colbert (born May 21, 1982) is an American football coach and former player who is currently the wide receivers coach at the University of Florida. Colbert played as a wide receiver and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers ...
*
Justin Fargas Justin Alejandro Fargas (born January 25, 1980) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Michigan and Southern California and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. College ...
* Matt Grootegoed *
Gregg Guenther Gregg Guenther, Jr. (born January 29, 1982, in Calabasas, CA) was a National Football League tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals. College career Guenther played basketball and football at the University of Southern California. He played in 24 ...
*
Alex Holmes Alex Holmes (born August 22, 1981 in San Diego, California) is a former National Football League tight end. Professional career Holmes played for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams for 2006. Coll ...
* Norm Katnik *
Kareem Kelly Kareem Kelly (born April 1, 1981) is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. World junior record holder over indoor 50 meters 5.67 sec. He played college footba ...
* Ryan Killeen * David Kirtman *
Winston Justice Winston Frederick Justice (born September 14, 1984) is a former American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round (39th overall pick) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at USC. Curr ...
* Jason Leach *
Matt Leinart Matthew Stephen Leinart (born May 11, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. He played college football at USC, where he won the Heisman Trophy ...
*
Oscar Lua Oscar Lua (born May 9, 1984) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California. Early years The son of Mexican ...
*
Malaefou MacKenzie Matthew Mark Maleafou Anesi MacKenzie (born July 24, 1979) is a Samoan former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) in 2003. Career MacKenzie played football at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Vie ...
* Tom Malone *
Grant Mattos Grant Logan Mattos (born March 12, 1981) is known as a former NFL wide receiver and special teams player who played for three teams over a four-year career, and as a contestant on '' Survivor: Redemption Island'', the 22nd season of U.S. Surviv ...
*
Fred Matua Fred Matua (January 14, 1984 – August 5, 2012) was an American football guard. After playing college football for Southern California, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was a member of the Lions, ...
*
Chris McFoy Chris McFoy (born August 14, 1983) is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Oakland Raiders of the NFL. He is now a Sales Manager At American income life Insurance company. Professional career McFoy was signed as a free age ...
*
Sultan McCullough Sultan Rashad McCullough (born February 12, 1980) is a retired American football running back. He has played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Montreal Alouettes. During ...
*
Jason Mitchell Jason Mitchell (born January 5, 1987) is an American actor. Mitchell started his career acting in minor roles in films such as the action-thriller '' Contraband'' (2012), and the neo-noir ''Broken City'' (2013). He is best known for portraying ...
*
Carson Palmer Carson Hilton Palmer (born December 27, 1979) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at ...
* Mike Patterson *
Troy Polamalu Troy Aumua Polamalu (; born Troy Benjamin Aumua; April 19, 1981) is an American former football strong safety who played his entire 12-year career for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football ...
* LaJuan Ramsey * Bernard Riley *
Jacob Rogers Jacob Dwight Rogers (born August 17, 1981) is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Southern California. Early years Rogers was ...
*
Frostee Rucker Frostee Lynn Rucker (born September 14, 1983) is a former American football defensive lineman. He played college football at USC, and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Rucker has also played for t ...
* Dallas Sartz *
Lofa Tatupu Mosiula Mea'alofa "Lofa" Tatupu (born November 15, 1982) is a former American football linebacker who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was an assistant linebackers coach with the Seattle Seahawks. He played colleg ...
* Kenechi Udeze *
Lenny Vandermade Lenny Vandermade (born January 3, 1981) is an American football coach and former player. He currently serves as an Offensive Analyst at the University of Southern California. High school career Vandermade prepped at Mater Dei High School in San ...
* John Walker * Lee Webb * Kyle Williams * Mike Williams *
Manuel Wright Manuel Wright (born April 13, 1984) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2005 supplemental draft. Wright was also briefly signed to the Buffalo Bills and played for the N ...
*
Justin Wyatt Justin Wyatt (born January 27, 1984) is an American football cornerback who was expected to be drafted in the 2006 NFL Draft but went undrafted. Football experience Professional career The National Football League Arizona Cardinals picked him u ...


References

{{Pac-12 Conference football champions
USC USC most often refers to: * University of South Carolina, a public research university ** University of South Carolina System, the main university and its satellite campuses ** South Carolina Gamecocks, the school athletic program * University of ...
USC Trojans football seasons Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons Orange Bowl champion seasons
USC Trojans football The USC Trojans football program represents University of Southern California in the sport of American football. The Trojans compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Pac-12 ...