USC Scouting Report from PE.com

Who's next: Fresno State (8-1)

At: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (92,000, sold out), 7:15 p.m., Saturday

TV: FSN

Radio: 1540, 1370, 1510, 1010, 1450

About Fresno State: This game is about, as both coaches noted Tuesday, a couple of programs that have trouble finding people to play them. With 53 wins this decade, Fresno State has equaled USC since the 2000 season although there's a big difference, Fresno coach Pat Hill pointed out.

Can't-miss Fresno State players:

QB Paul Pinegar (6-4, 230, Sr.) has a 32-9 record at Fresno and is only the seventh starting quarterback in NCAA history to lead a team to three straight bowl victories. He's directed Fresno to 14 wins in the past 15 games, completing 65 percent of his passes with 35 TDs and just eight interceptions.

TB Wendell Mathis Jr. (5-10, 215, Sr.) has 932 yards on 160 carries (5.8 yards per carry) with 13 TDs.

WR-KR Adam Jennings (5-10, 175, Sr.) is the only player in the nation ranked in NCAA top 10 in kickoff returns (30.7-yard average) and punt returns (15.3).

What Fresno State coach, and UCR grad, Pat Hill said he admires about USC: "College football has turned into a situation where you have to go undefeated. That's why I have so much respect for the Trojans and what they have done in the arena of Division I football. We've won (23) of our last (28) games and that is really nothing in comparison to what USC has done."

What USC coach Pete Carroll said about playing a ranked Fresno State team: "Fresno has wanted this game for a long time, and a lot of people didn't want to play us, so it seemed like a good matchup."

Area Player:

OT D'Artagnan Shack (6-2, 280, Sr.) from Riverside (Riverside North High) is a strong, athletic, if slightly undersized, veteran who has switched back to left tackle from right guard and has handled the likes of Oklahoma All-American Dan Cody and UCLA's Dave Ball as a Bulldog. DAN WEBER -PE.com


The Press Enterprise fails to mention wide receiver Paul Williams or any player on defense, especially, defensive end Garrett McIntyre and cornerback Richard Marshall. Probably just an oversight, as the PE just named the player with gaudy stats.

That is what happens when you write a preview just by looking at the stats, and not watching film or doing any further research.