The 2002 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. USC ended the regular season ranked #5 in both the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. Trojans quarterback Carson Palmer won the 2002 Heisman Trophy as the best college football player in America. During the bowl games, USC had a convincing 38–17 win over #3 Iowa in the Orange Bowl. 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, RB#21 Malaefou Mackenzie, QB#10 Matt Cassel, RB#4 Sultan McCullough, RB#34 Hershel Dennis (FR) RB#25 Justin Fargas, RB#39 Sunny Byrd, RB#34 Chad Pierson, S#43 Troy Polamalu, WR#44 Gregg Guenther, TE#86 Dominique Byrd, WR#83 Keary Colbert, WR#1 Mike Williams, WR#7 Sandy Fletcher, WR#82 Donald Hale, TE#88 Doyal Butler, and WR#87 Grant Mattos.
Quick Facts USC Trojans football, Orange Bowl, W 38–17 vs. Iowa ...
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More information Conf, Overall ...
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The team was named national champion by the Dunkel System, Matthews Grid Ratings, and Sagarin Ratings, all NCAA-designated major selectors,[1]: 115 although none are claimed by the university.
USC was ranked highly (#12 by Scout, #13 by Rivals) for getting Darnell Bing, Manuel Wright, Winston Justice, Fred Matua, Tom Malone, Jason Mitchell, Hershel Dennis, Kyle Williams, Dominique Byrd, Dallas Sartz, Justin Wyatt, Chris McFoy, Mike Williams, LaJuan Ramsey, Oscar Lua and Brandon Hancock among others.
More information Date, Time ...
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
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| 5:00 p.m. | Auburn* | No. 20 | | ABC | W 24–17 | 63,269 | [2] |
September 14 | 12:30 p.m. | at No. 18 Colorado* | No. 17 | | ABC | W 40–3 | 53,119 | [2] |
September 21 | 4:00 p.m. | at No. 25 Kansas State* | No. 11 | | TBS | L 20–27 | 49,276 | [2] |
September 28 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 23 Oregon State | No. 18 | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA
| FSN | W 22–0 | 56,417 | [2] |
October 5 | 4:00 p.m. | at No. 17 Washington State | No. 18 | | TBS | L 27–30 OT | 36,861 | [2] |
October 12 | 3:30 p.m. | California | No. 20 | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA
| FSN | W 30–28 | 63,113 | [2] |
October 19 | 12:30 p.m. | No. 22 Washington | No. 19 | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA
| ABC | W 41–21 | 52,961 | [2] |
October 26 | 12:30 p.m. | at No. 14 Oregon | No. 15 | | ABC | W 44–33 | 56,754 | [2] |
November 9 | 5:00 p.m. | at Stanford | No. 10 | | ABC | W 49–17 | 44,950 | [2] |
November 16 | 4:00 p.m. | Arizona State | No. 8 | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA
| TBS | W 34–13 | 73,923 | [2] |
November 23 | 12:30 p.m. | at No. 25 UCLA | No. 7 | | ABC | W 52–21 | 91,084 | [2] |
November 30 | 5:00 p.m. | No. 7 Notre Dame* | No. 6 | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA (rivalry)
| ABC | W 44–13 | 91,432 | [2] |
, 2003 | 5:00 p.m. | vs. No. 3 Iowa* | No. 5 | | ABC | W 38–17 | 75,971 | [2] |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Pacific time
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More information Players, Coaches ...
2002 USC Trojans football team roster |
Players |
Coaches |
Offense
|
Defense
|
Special teams
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
- Injured
- Redshirt
Roster Last update: 2004-05-13 |
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Auburn
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
Auburn at No. 20 USC
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Tigers |
7 |
7 | 0 | 3 |
17 |
• No. 20 Trojans |
7 |
7 | 3 | 7 |
24 |
|
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 12:05 | USC | Kareem Kelly 15-yard pass from Carson Palmer (David Davis kick) | USC 7-0 |
| 1 | 8:31 | AUB | Cadillac Williams 23-yard run (Damon Duval kick) | Tied 7-7 |
| 2 | 12:04 | USC | Sultan McCullough 3-yard run (David Davis kick) | USC 14-7 |
| 2 | 0:11 | AUB | Ronnie Brown 1-yard run (Damon Duval kick) | Tied 14-14 |
| 3 | 7:05 | USC | David Davis 37-yard field goal | USC 17-14 |
| 4 | 14:51 | AUB | Damon Duval 39-yard field goal | Tied 17-17 |
| 4 | 1:26 | USC | Carson Palmer 1-yard run (David Davis kick) | USC 24-17 |
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at No. 18 Colorado
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
No. 17 USC at No. 18 Colorado
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 17 Trojans |
14 |
6 | 0 | 20 |
40 |
No. 18 Buffaloes |
0 |
0 | 3 | 0 |
3 |
|
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 9:56 | USC | Malaefou MacKenzie 32-yard pass from Carson Palmer (David Davis kick) | USC 7-0 |
| 1 | 2:46 | USC | Malaefou MacKenzie 14-yard run (David Davis kick) | USC 14-0 |
| 2 | 2:08 | USC | Sultan McCullough 62-yard run (kick failed) | USC 20-0 |
| 3 | 2:51 | COL | Patrick Brougham 42-yard field goal | USC 20-3 |
| 4 | 10:24 | USC | Carson Palmer 1-yard run (David Davis kick) | USC 27-3 |
| 4 | 8:47 | USC | Mike Ross recovered blocked punt in end zone (kick failed) | USC 33-3 |
| 4 | 2:47 | USC | Darryl Poston 4-yard run (David Davis kick) | USC 40-3 |
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at No. 25 Kansas State
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
No. 11 USC at No. 25 Kansas State
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
No. 11 Trojans |
0 |
6 | 0 | 14 |
20 |
• No. 25 Wildcats |
0 |
12 | 7 | 8 |
27 |
|
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Scoring summary |
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| 2 | 5:43 | KSU | Jared Brite 35-yard field goal | KSU 3–0 |
| 2 | 3:46 | KSU | Ell Roberson 1-yard fun (Brite kick) | KSU 10–0 |
| 2 | 0:32 | USC | Mike Patterson 3-yard fumble return (kick blocked) | KSU 10–6 |
| 2 | 0:32 | KSU | Terence Newman 98-yard PAT return | KSU 12–6 |
| 3 | 3:55 | KSU | Darren Sproles 10-yard fun (Brite kick) | KSU 19–6 |
| 4 | 14:55 | KSU | James Terry 10-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Roberson run) | KSU 27–6 |
| 4 | 10:21 | USC | Keary Colbert 9-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) | KSU 27–13 |
| 4 | 6:31 | USC | Sultan McCullough 25-yard run (Killeen kick) | KSU 27–20 |
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[3]
More information Statistics, USC ...
Statistics | USC | KSU |
First downs | 16 | 19 |
Total yards | 276 | 347 |
Rushing yards | 90 | 188 |
Passing yards | 186 | 159 |
Turnovers | 1 | 5 |
Time of possession | 29:37 | 30:23 |
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No. 23 Oregon State
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
No. 23 Oregon State at No. 18 USC
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
No. 23 Beavers |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• No. 18 Trojans |
0 |
13 | 6 | 3 |
22 |
|
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Scoring summary |
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| 2 | 14:50 | USC | Ryan Killeen 43-yard field goal | USC 3-0 |
| 2 | 13:04 | USC | Ryan Killeen 42-yard field goal | USC 6-0 |
| 2 | 0:10 | USC | Mike Williams 11-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) | USC 13-0 |
| 3 | 4:45 | USC | Mike Williams 16-yard pass from Carson Palmer (pass failed) | USC 19-0 |
| 4 | 10:34 | USC | Ryan Killeen 32-yard field goal | USC 22-0 |
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at No. 17 Washington State
More information OT, Total ...
No. 18 USC at No. 17 Washington State
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
No. 18 Trojans |
7 |
0 | 7 | 13 | 0 |
27 |
• No. 17 Cougars |
10 |
0 | 7 | 10 | 3 |
30 |
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California
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
California at No. 20 USC
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Golden Bears |
14 |
7 | 0 | 7 |
28 |
• No. 20 Trojans |
3 |
14 | 7 | 6 |
30 |
|
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 10:06 | CAL | Joe Igber 3-yard run (Mark Jensen kick) | CAL 7-0 |
| 1 | 6:04 | USC | Ryan Killeen 34-yard field goal | CAL 7-3 |
| 1 | 2:24 | CAL | Terrell Williams 1-yard run (Mark Jensen kick) | CAL 14-3 |
| 2 | 11:42 | CAL | Jonathan Makonnen 15-yard pass from Kyle Boller (Mark Jensen kick) | CAL 21-3 |
| 2 | 5:29 | USC | Kareem Kelly 6-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) | CAL 21-10 |
| 2 | 1:06 | USC | Mike Williams 21-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) | CAL 21-17 |
| 3 | 8:38 | USC | Sultan McCullough 2-yard run (Ryan Killeen kick) | USC 24-21 |
| 4 | 9:59 | USC | Ryan Killeen 32-yard field goal | USC 27-21 |
| 4 | 1:41 | USC | Ryan Killeen 18-yard field goal | USC 30-21 |
| 4 | 0:35 | CAL | Tom Swoboda 5-yard pass from Kyle Boller (Mark Jensen kick) | USC 30-28 |
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No. 22 Washington
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
#22/17 Washington at #19/20 USC
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
No. 22 Huskies |
7 |
0 | 0 | 14 |
21 |
• No. 19 Trojans |
7 |
10 | 17 | 7 |
41 |
|
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 2:47 | USC | Mike Williams 43-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) | USC 7-0 |
| 1 | 0:04 | WASH | Paul Arnold 5-yard pass from Cody Pickett (John Anderson kick) | Tied 7-7 |
| 2 | 10:53 | USC | Keary Colbert 61-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) | USC 14-7 |
| 2 | 6:58 | USC | Ryan Killeen 30-yard field goal | USC 17-7 |
| 3 | 9:34 | USC | Mike Williams 14-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) | USC 24-7 |
| 3 | 6:56 | USC | Mike Williams 11-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) | USC 31-7 |
| 3 | 4:56 | USC | Ryan Killeen 33-yard field goal | USC 34-7 |
| 4 | 13:30 | WASH | Kevin Ware 2-yard pass from Cody Pickett (John Anderson kick) | USC 34-14 |
| 4 | 10:22 | WASH | Reggie Williams 27-yard pass from Cody Pickett (John Anderson kick) | USC 34-21 |
| 4 | 3:23 | USC | Justin Fargas 13-yard run (Ryan Killeen kick) | USC 41-21 |
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at No. 14 Oregon
More information Total ...
No. 15 USC at No. 14 Oregon
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 15 Trojans |
14 |
0 | 20 | 10 |
44 |
No. 14 Ducks |
13 |
6 | 0 | 14 |
33 |
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at Stanford
More information Total ...
No. 10 USC at Stanford
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 10 Trojans |
14 |
7 | 14 | 14 |
49 |
Cardinal |
7 |
3 | 0 | 7 |
17 |
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Arizona State
More information Total ...
Arizona State at No. 8 USC
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Sun Devils |
3 |
7 | 3 | 0 |
13 |
• No. 8 Trojans |
10 |
10 | 0 | 14 |
34 |
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[4]
at No. 25 UCLA
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
No. 7 USC at No. 25 UCLA
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 7 Trojans |
21 |
7 | 14 | 10 |
52 |
No. 25 Bruins |
0 |
7 | 0 | 14 |
21 |
- Date: November 23
- Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena
- Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 3:26
- Game attendance: 91,084
- Television network: ABC
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 14:53 | USC | Kelly 34-yard passing touchdown from Palmer (Killeen kick) | USC 7–0 |
10:30 | USC | Colbert 51-yard passing touchdown from Palmer (Kileen kick) | USC 14–0 |
6:04 | USC | Fargas 1-yard run (Killeen kick) | USC 21–0 |
| 2 | 11:40 | UCLA | White 7-yard run (Fikse kick) | USC 21–7 |
4:20 | USC | MacKenzie 2-yard passing touchdown from Palmer (Killeen kick) | USC 28–7 |
| 3 | 13:45 | USC | Colbert34-yard run (Killeen kick) | USC 35–7 |
2:05 | USC | Guenther Jr. 3-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) | USC 42–7 |
| 4 | 14:55 | USC | Killeen 27-yard field goal | USC 45–7 |
9:30 | USC | Dennis 38-yard run (Killeen kick) | USC 52–7 |
2:47 | UCLA | White Jr. 10-yard passing touchdown from Moore (Fikse kick) | USC 52–14 |
0:59 | UCLA | Lewis 14-yard passing touchdown from Sciarra (Fikse kick) | USC 52–21 |
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[5]
No. 7 Notre Dame
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
No. 7 Fighting Irish |
6 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
13 |
• No. 6 Trojans |
0 |
17 | 13 | 14 |
44 |
- Date: November 30
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
- Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST
- Elapsed time: 3:26
- Game attendance: 91,432
- Game weather: Cloudy; 60 °F (16 °C); wind variable
- Referee: Chuck McFerrin
- Television network: ABC
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 4:10 | ND | Setta 34-yard field goal | ND 3–0 |
3:46 | ND | Setta 32-yard field goal | ND 6–0 |
| 2 | 10:49 | USC | Williams 6-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) | USC 7–6 |
3:34 | USC | Killeen 22-yard field goal | USC 10–6 |
1:07 | ND | Pierre-Antoine recovered blocked punt in end zone (Setta kick) | ND 13–10 |
:05 | USC | Williams 19-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) | USC 17–13 |
| 3 | 12:01 | USC | MacKenzie 15-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) | USC 24–13 |
6:36 | USC | Killeen 27-yard field goal | USC 27–13 |
2:15 | USC | Killeen 29-yard field goal | USC 30–13 |
| 4 | 11:58 | USC | McCullough 11-yard run (Killeen kick) | USC 37–13 |
7:23 | USC | MacKenzie 10-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) | USC 44–13 |
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[6]
[7]
vs. No. 3 Iowa (Orange Bowl)
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
#3/5 Iowa Hawkeyes at #5/4 USC Trojans
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
No. 3 Hawkeyes |
10 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
17 |
• No. 5 Trojans |
7 |
3 | 14 | 14 |
38 |
|
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 14:43 | IOWA | C.J. Jones 100-yard kickoff return | IOWA 7-0 |
| 1 | 12:46 | USC | Justin Fargas 4-yard run | TIED 7-7 |
| 1 | 6:26 | IOWA | Nate Kaeding 35-yard field goal | IOWA 10-7 |
| 2 | 1:12 | USC | Ryan Killeen 35-yard field goal | TIED 10-10 |
| 3 | 10:14 | USC | Mike Williams 18-yard pass from Carson Palmer | USC 17-10 |
| 3 | 4:58 | USC | Justin Fargas 50-yard run | USC 24-10 |
| 4 | 14:25 | USC | Sultan McCullough 5-yard run | USC 31-10 |
| 4 | 2:36 | USC | Sunny Byrd 6-yard run | USC 38-10 |
| 4 | 0:34 | IOWA | Maurice Brown 18-yard pass from Brad Banks | USC 38-17 |
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USC played third ranked Iowa in the Orange Bowl. The matchup featured the top two finalists for that season's Heisman Trophy; Trophy winner Carson Palmer and runner up Brad Banks.[9] 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 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. Iowa regained the lead with a field goal from Nate Kaeding. 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.[10]
More information Statistics, IOWA ...
Statistics | IOWA | USC |
First downs | 18 | 30 |
Total yards | 323 | 550 |
Rushing yards | 119 | 247 |
Passing yards | 204 | 303 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Time of possession | 21:54 | 38:06 |
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