USC Football: Ruel is not a stranger to Texas
USC last played Texas in 1967, but the Longhorns hold a prominent place in the career of Trojans offensive line coach Pat Ruel.
Ruel faced Texas in the first game of his coaching career in 1973, as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Miami. Texas finished the previous season ranked No. 3 in the nation and was favored over the Hurricanes.
"They came down to Miami and we didn't have a very good team," Ruel said. "We beat them 20-15. That started the Sports Illustrated cover jinx, because they were on the cover the week of that game. That game also started my love for coaching."
Ruel also faced Texas in 1977, when he was an assistant at Arkansas. Texas was ranked No. 2 in the nation and Arkansas was No. 8.
"They threw a screen pass to Earl Campbell for about 60 yards and ended wining 13-9," Ruel said. "They knocked us off but we ended up going to the Orange Bowl."
Ruel was on the Arkansas staff with USC coach Pete Carroll, who was a graduate assistant in 1977.
"Pete's a pound lighter since then and I'm 25 heavier," Ruel said.
More numbers: USC has 11 plays from scrimmage this season that are 50 or more yards while Texas has 10. USC alsohas an 84-yard punt return from Reggie Bush, a 68-yard kick return from Darnell Bing and a 51-yard kick return from Desmond Reed.
Bush has 36 plays of 20-or-more yards and scored touchdowns 11 times but ironically, Bing owns the longest kick return.
All tied: The Trojans and Longhorns each have seven players with plays of 40-or-more yards from the line of scrimmage.
Two contrasts: Texas has held opponents scoreless on their opening drives in 11 games this season. USC last let an opponent score on its opening drive in two of its past five games.
Texas has not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 84 straight games. USC allowed punt returns for touchdowns in two of its past nine games.
Ruel faced Texas in the first game of his coaching career in 1973, as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Miami. Texas finished the previous season ranked No. 3 in the nation and was favored over the Hurricanes.
"They came down to Miami and we didn't have a very good team," Ruel said. "We beat them 20-15. That started the Sports Illustrated cover jinx, because they were on the cover the week of that game. That game also started my love for coaching."
Ruel also faced Texas in 1977, when he was an assistant at Arkansas. Texas was ranked No. 2 in the nation and Arkansas was No. 8.
"They threw a screen pass to Earl Campbell for about 60 yards and ended wining 13-9," Ruel said. "They knocked us off but we ended up going to the Orange Bowl."
Ruel was on the Arkansas staff with USC coach Pete Carroll, who was a graduate assistant in 1977.
"Pete's a pound lighter since then and I'm 25 heavier," Ruel said.
More numbers: USC has 11 plays from scrimmage this season that are 50 or more yards while Texas has 10. USC alsohas an 84-yard punt return from Reggie Bush, a 68-yard kick return from Darnell Bing and a 51-yard kick return from Desmond Reed.
Bush has 36 plays of 20-or-more yards and scored touchdowns 11 times but ironically, Bing owns the longest kick return.
All tied: The Trojans and Longhorns each have seven players with plays of 40-or-more yards from the line of scrimmage.
Two contrasts: Texas has held opponents scoreless on their opening drives in 11 games this season. USC last let an opponent score on its opening drive in two of its past five games.
Texas has not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 84 straight games. USC allowed punt returns for touchdowns in two of its past nine games.
posted by Michelle @ 11:47 AM
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