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{{short description|American college football season}}
{{NCAATeamFootballSeason
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
|Year=2002
{{Infobox NCAA team season
|Team=USC Trojans
|year=2002
|Image=Interlocking_USC_Logo.svg
|team=USC Trojans
|ImageSize=100
|image=USC Trojans logo.svg
|Conference=Pacific-10 Conference
|image_size=100
|Division=
|conference=Pacific-10 Conference
|ShortConference=Pac-10
|division=
|short_conf=Pac-10
|APRank=4
|APRank=4
|CoachRank=4
|CoachRank=4
|Record=11–2
|record=11–2
|ConfRecord=7–1
|conf_record=7–1
|HeadCoach=[[Pete Carroll]]
|head_coach=[[Pete Carroll]]
|hc_year=2nd
|OffCoach=[[Norm Chow]]
|off_coach=[[Norm Chow]]
|DefCoach=
|OScheme=
|oc_year=2nd
|DScheme=
|off_scheme=
|def_coach=
|StadiumArena=[[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
|dc_year=
|Champion=Orange Bowl Champions <br />Pac-10 Co-Champions
|def_scheme=
|BowlTourney=[[2003 Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]] vs. [[2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]]
|captain=[[Carson Palmer]]
|BowlTourneyResult= W 38–17
|captain2=[[Troy Polamalu]]
|stadium=[[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]] (c. 92,000, grass)
|champion=National champion<br>([[Dunkel System|Dunkel]], [[Matthews Grid Ratings|Matthews]], [[Jeff Sagarin|Sagarin]])<br />Pac-10 co-champion<br />Orange Bowl champion
|bowl=[[2003 Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]]
|bowl_result= W 38–17 vs. [[2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]]
}}
}}
{{2002 Pacific-10 football standings}}
{{2002 Pacific-10 football standings}}
The '''2002 [[USC Trojans football]] team''' represented the [[University of Southern California]] in the [[2002 NCAA Division I-A football season|2002-2003 NCAA Division I-A college 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 Hawkeyes football|Iowa]] in the [[2003 Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]]. USC became #4 in the final AP Poll and Coaches' Poll.
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 [[2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]] in the [[2003 Orange Bowl|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|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 (wide receiver, born 1984)|Mike Williams]], WR#7 Sandy Fletcher, WR#82 Donald Hale, TE#88 Doyal Butler, and WR#87 [[Grant Mattos]].

The team was named national champion by the [[Dunkel System]], [[Matthews Grid Ratings]], and [[Sagarin Ratings]], all NCAA-designated major selectors,<ref name="2018ncaabook">{{cite book | url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2018/FBS.pdf | title=2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records | publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association | date=August 2018 | location=Indianapolis| access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref>{{rp|115}} although none are claimed by the university.


==Recruiting==
==Recruiting==
USC was ranked highly (#12 by Scout, #13 by Rivals) for getting [[Darnell Bing]], [[Manuel Wright]], [[Winston Justice]], [[Fred Matua]], [[Tom Malone (American football)|Tom Malone]], [[Jason Mitchell]], [[Hershel Dennis]], [[Kyle Williams (offensive tackle)|Kyle Williams]], [[Dominique Byrd]], [[Dallas Sartz]], [[Justin Wyatt]], [[Chris McFoy]], [[Mike Williams (wide receiver b. 1984)|Mike Williams]], [[LaJuan Ramsey]], [[Oscar Lua]] and [[Brandon Hancock]] among others.
USC was ranked highly (#12 by Scout, #13 by Rivals) for getting [[Darnell Bing]], [[Manuel Wright]], [[Winston Justice]], [[Fred Matua]], [[Tom Malone (American football)|Tom Malone]], [[Jason Mitchell (wide receiver)|Jason Mitchell]], [[Hershel Dennis]], [[Kyle Williams (offensive tackle)|Kyle Williams]], [[Dominique Byrd]], [[Dallas Sartz]], [[Justin Wyatt]], [[Chris McFoy]], [[Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984)|Mike Williams]], [[LaJuan Ramsey]], [[Oscar Lua]] and [[Brandon Hancock]] among others.


==Schedule==
==Schedule==
{{CFB schedule
The Trojans finished the season with a 11–2 record, 7–1 in the Pac-10.[http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/012604aaa.html]

{{CFB Schedule Start
| time = yes
| rank = yes
| ranklink = yes
| rankyear = 2002
| rankyear = 2002
| tv = yes
| poll = AP
| attend = yes
| timezone = Pacific

}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 2
| date = {{dow tooltip|September 2, 2002}}
| time = 5:00 PM
| time = 5:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| homecoming =
| rank = 20
| opponent = [[2002 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]]
| away =
| site_stadium = [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
| neutral =
| site_cityst = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, CA]]
| rank = 18
| tv = [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]
| opponent = [[2002 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]]
| opprank =
| score = 24–17
| attend = 63,269
| site_stadium = [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum|Los Angeles Coliseum]]
| source = <ref name="statistics">{{cite web|title=Cumulative Season Statistics|url=http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2002-2003/teamcume.html|publisher=University of Southern California Department of Athletics|access-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref>
| site_cityst = [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles, CA]]
| gamename =
| tv = [[ABC Sports|ABC]]
| score = 24–17
| overtime =
| attend = 63,269<ref name="statistics">{{cite web|title=Cumulative Season Statistics|url=http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2002-2003/teamcume.html|publisher=University of Southern California}}</ref>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 14
| date = September 14
| time = 12:30 PM
| time = 12:30 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| homecoming =
| away = y
| away = yes
| rank = 17
| opponent = [[2002 Colorado Buffaloes football team|Colorado]]
| neutral =
| rank = 17
| opprank = 18
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Colorado Buffaloes|title=Colorado}}
| opprank = 18
| site_stadium = [[Folsom Field]]
| site_stadium = [[Folsom Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder, CO]]
| site_cityst = [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder, CO]]
| gamename =
| tv = ABC
| tv = ABC
| score = 40–3
| score = 40–3
| attend = 53,119
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
| overtime =
| attend = 53,119<ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 21
| date = September 21
| time = 4:00 PM
| time = 4:00 p.m.
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| homecoming =
| away = y
| away = yes
| rank = 11
| opponent = [[2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team|Kansas State]]
| neutral =
| rank = 11
| opprank = 25
| site_stadium = [[KSU Stadium]]
| opponent = [[2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team|Kansas State]]
| site_cityst = [[Manhattan, Kansas|Manhattan, KS]]
| opprank = 25
| tv = [[TBS (TV Network)|TBS]]
| site_stadium = [[Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium|KSU Stadium]]
| score = 20–27
| site_cityst = [[Manhattan, Kansas]]
| gamename =
| attend = 49,276
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
| tv = [[TBS (TV Network)|TBS]]
| score = 20–27
| overtime =
| attend = 49,276<ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 28
| date = September 28
| time = 3:30 PM
| time = 3:30 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf =
| rank = 18
| opponent = [[2002 Oregon State Beavers football team|Oregon State]]
| homecoming =
| away =
| opprank = 23
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| neutral =
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| rank = 18
| tv = [[Fox Sports Networks|FSN]]
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Oregon State Beavers|title=Oregon State}}
| opprank = 23
| score = 22–0
| attend = 56,417
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Coliseum
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| gamename =
| tv = [[Fox Sports Net|FSN]]
| score = 22–0
| overtime =
| attend = 56,417<ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 5
| date = October 5
| time = 4:00 PM
| time = 4:00 p.m.
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| nonconf =
| away = y
| homecoming =
| rank = 18
| opponent = [[2002 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| away = yes
| neutral =
| opprank = 17
| rank = 20
| opponent = [[2002 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| opprank = 18
| site_stadium = [[Martin Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Martin Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman, WA]]
| site_cityst = [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman, WA]]
| gamename =
| tv = TBS
| tv = TBS
| score = 27–30
| score = 27–30
| overtime = OT
| overtime =
| attend = 36,861
| attend = 36,861<ref name="statistics"/>
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 12
| date = October 12
| time = 3:30 PM
| time = 3:30 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf =
| rank = 20
| opponent = [[2002 California Golden Bears football team|California]]
| homecoming =
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| away =
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| neutral =
| rank = 20
| tv = FSN
| score = 30–28
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2002|team=California Golden Bears|title=California}}
| opprank =
| attend = 63,113
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Coliseum
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| gamename =
| tv = FSN
| score = 30–28
| overtime =
| attend = 63,113<ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 19
| date = October 19
| time = 12:30 PM
| time = 12:30 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf =
| rank = 19
| opponent = [[2002 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]]
| homecoming =
| away =
| opprank = 22
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| neutral =
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| rank = 19
| tv = ABC
| opponent = [[2002 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]]
| opprank = 22
| score = 41–21
| attend = 52,961
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Coliseum
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| gamename =
| tv = ABC
| score = 41–21
| overtime =
| attend = 52,961<ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 26
| date = October 26
| time = 12:30 PM
| time = 12:30 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf =
| away = y
| homecoming =
| rank = 15
| opponent = [[2002 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon]]
| away = yes
| neutral =
| opprank = 14
| rank = 15
| opponent = [[2002 Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon]]
| opprank = 14
| site_stadium = [[Autzen Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Autzen Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene, OR]]
| site_cityst = [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene, OR]]
| gamename =
| tv = ABC
| tv = ABC
| score = 44–33
| score = 44–33
| attend = 56,754
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
| overtime =
| attend = 56,754<ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 9
| date = November 9
| time = 5:00 PM
| time = 5:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf =
| away = y
| homecoming =
| rank = 10
| opponent = [[2002 Stanford Cardinal football team|Stanford]]
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank = 10
| opponent = [[2002 Stanford Cardinal football team|Stanford]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Stanford, California|Stanford, CA]]
| site_cityst = [[Stanford, California|Stanford, CA]]
| gamename =
| gamename = [[Stanford–USC football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv = ABC
| tv = ABC
| score = 49–17
| score = 49–17
| overtime =
| attend = 44,950
| attend = 44,950<ref name="statistics"/>
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 16
| date = November 16
| time = 4:00 PM
| time = 4:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf =
| homecoming = y
| homecoming = yes
| rank = 8
| opponent = [[2002 Arizona State Sun Devils football team|Arizona State]]
| away =
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| neutral =
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| rank = 8
| tv = TBS
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Arizona State Sun Devils|title=Arizona State}}
| opprank =
| score = 34–13
| attend = 73,923
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Coliseum
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| gamename =
| tv = TBS
| score = 34–13
| overtime =
| attend = 73,923<ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 23
| date = November 23
| time = 12:30 PM
| time = 12:30 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf =
| away = y
| homecoming =
| rank = 7
| opponent = [[2002 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]]
| away = yes
| neutral =
| opprank = 25
| rank = 7
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2002|team=UCLA Bruins|title=UCLA}}
| opprank = 25
| site_stadium = [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]]
| site_stadium = [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]]
| site_cityst = [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena, CA]]
| site_cityst = [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena, CA]]
| gamename =
| gamename = [[Victory Bell (UCLA–USC)|Victory Bell]]
| tv = ABC
| tv = ABC
| score = 52–21
| score = 52–21
| overtime =
| attend = 91,084
| attend = 91,084<ref name="statistics"/>
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 30
| date = November 30
| time = 5:00 PM
| time = 5:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| homecoming =
| rank = 6
| opponent = [[2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]]
| away =
| neutral =
| opprank = 7
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| rank = 6
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| opponent = [[2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]]
| gamename = [[Notre Dame–USC football rivalry|rivalry]]
| opprank = 7
| tv = ABC
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Coliseum
| score = 44–13
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| gamename =
| attend = 91,432
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
| tv = ABC
| score = 44–13
| overtime =
| attend = 91,432<ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = January 2
| date = {{dow tooltip|January 2, 2003}}, 2003
| time = 5:00 PM
| time = 5:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| homecoming =
| neutral = y
| away =
| rank = 5
| opponent = [[2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]]
| neutral = yes
| rank = 5
| opprank = 3
| site_stadium = [[Pro Player Stadium]]
| opponent = [[2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]]
| site_cityst = [[Miami Gardens, Florida|Miami Gardens, FL]]
| opprank = 3
| site_stadium = [[Miami Orange Bowl]]
| gamename = [[2003 Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]]
| tv = ABC
| site_cityst = [[Miami, Florida|Miami, FL]]
| score = 38–17
| gamename = [[2003 Orange Bowl|FedEx Orange Bowl]]
| tv = ABC
| attend = 75,971
| source = <ref name="statistics"/>
| score = 38–17
| overtime =
| attend = 75,971<ref name="statistics"/>
}}
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule End}}

==Roster==

{{American football roster/Header
| year = 2002
| team = USC Trojans
| teamcolors = f
| offensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=31|class=Fr|first=Will|last=Buchanon|pos=WR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=88|class=Jr|first=Doyal|last=Butler|pos=TE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=39|class=So|first=Sunny|last=Byrd|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=19|class=Fr|first=Greig|last=Carlson|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=86|class=Fr|first=Dominique|last=Byrd|pos=TE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=10|class=So|first=Matt|last=Cassel|pos=QB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=83|class=Jr|first=Keary|last=Colbert|pos=WR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=25|class=Sr|first=Justin|last=Fargas|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=44|class=Fr|first=Gregg|last=Guenther|pos=TE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=81|class=Jr|first=Alex|last=Holmes|pos=TE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=62|class=Jr|first=Norm|last=Katnik|pos=C|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=2|class=Sr|first=Kareem|last=Kelly|pos=WR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=37|class=Fr|first=David|last=Kirtman|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=11|class=Fr|first=Matt|last=Leinart|pos=QB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=21|class=Sr|first=Malaefou|last=MacKenzie|pos=FB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=4|class=Sr|first=Sultan|last=McCullough|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=3|class=Sr|first=Carson|last=Palmer|pos=QB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=77|class=Jr|first=Jacob|last=Rogers|pos=T|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=78|class=So|first=Lenny|last=Vandermade|pos=G|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=35|class=So|first=Lee|last=Webb|dab=Lee Webb (American football)|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=1|class=Fr|first=Mike|last=Williams|dab=Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984)|pos=WR|link=y}}
| defensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=8|class=Jr|first=Marcell|last=Allmond|pos=CB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=59|class=Fr|first=Collin|last=Ashton|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=84|class=Fr|first=Shaun|last=Cody|pos=DT|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=6|class=So|first=Matt|last=Grootegoed|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=27|class=So|first=Jason|last=Leach|pos=DB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=99|class=So|first=Mike|last=Patterson|dab=Mike Patterson (American football)|pos=DT|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=43|class=Sr|first=Troy|last=Polamalu|pos=S|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=93|class=Sr|first=Bernard|last=Riley|pos=DT|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=42|class=Fr|first=Dallas|last=Sartz|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=94|class=So|first=Kenechi|last=Udeze|pos=DE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=24|class=Fr|first=Justin|last=Wyatt|pos=CB|link=y}}
| special_teams_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=16|class=Fr|first=Ryan|last=Killeen|pos=K|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=14|class=Fr|first=Tom|last=Malone|dab=Tom Malone (American football)|pos=P|link=y}}
}}
{{American football roster/Footer|roster_url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040513043655/http://usc.rivals.com:80/content.asp?SID=995&CID=30153
| head_coach = *[[Pete Carroll]]
| asst_coach =
*[[Norm Chow]] &ndash; offensive coordinator
*[[Lane Kiffin]] &ndash; wide receivers
*[[Ryan Nielsen]] &ndash; volunteer assistant
| accessdate= 2004-05-13
}}

==Game summaries==

===Auburn===
{{AFB game box start
|Title=Auburn at No. 20 USC
|Visitor=Tigers
|V1=7 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=3
|Host='''No. 20 Trojans'''
|H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=3 |H4=7
|Date=September 2
|Location=[[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]], Los Angeles
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time=12:05 |Team=USC |Event=[[Kareem Kelly]] 15-yard pass from [[Carson Palmer]] (David Davis kick) |Score= USC 7-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=1 |Time=8:31 |Team=AUB |Event=[[Cadillac Williams]] 23-yard run ([[Damon Duval]] kick) |Score= Tied 7-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=12:04 |Team=USC |Event=[[Sultan McCullough]] 3-yard run (David Davis kick) |Score= USC 14-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=0:11 |Team=AUB |Event=[[Ronnie Brown]] 1-yard run (Damon Duval kick) |Score= Tied 14-14}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=7:05 |Team=USC |Event=David Davis 37-yard field goal |Score= USC 17-14}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=14:51 |Team=AUB |Event=Damon Duval 39-yard field goal |Score= Tied 17-17}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=1:26 |Team=USC |Event=Carson Palmer 1-yard run (David Davis kick) |Score='''USC 24-17'''|LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team}}

{{Clear}}

===at No. 18 Colorado===
{{AFB game box start
|Title=No. 17 USC at No. 18 Colorado
|Visitor='''No. 17 Trojans'''
|V1= 14|V2= 6|V3=0 |V4=20
|Host=No. 18 Buffaloes
|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=3 |H4=0
|Date=September 14
|Location=[[Folsom Field]], [[Boulder, Colorado]]
|StartTime=12:30 p.m.
|TimeZone=PST
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=53,119
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=[[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time=9:56 |Team=USC |Event=[[Malaefou MacKenzie]] 32-yard pass from [[Carson Palmer]] (David Davis kick) |Score= USC 7-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=1 |Time=2:46 |Team=USC |Event= Malaefou MacKenzie 14-yard run (David Davis kick)|Score=USC 14-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=2:08 |Team=USC |Event=[[Sultan McCullough]] 62-yard run (kick failed) |Score= USC 20-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=2:51 |Team=COL |Event=Patrick Brougham 42-yard field goal |Score= USC 20-3}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=10:24 |Team=USC |Event=Carson Palmer 1-yard run (David Davis kick) |Score= USC 27-3}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=8:47 |Team=USC |Event=Mike Ross recovered blocked punt in end zone (kick failed) |Score= USC 33-3}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= 2:47|Team= USC|Event=Darryl Poston 4-yard run (David Davis kick) |Score='''USC 40-3'''|LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|2002 Colorado Buffaloes football team}}

{{Clear}}

===at No. 25 Kansas State===
{{AFB game box start
|Title=No. 11 USC at No. 25 Kansas State
|Visitor=No. 11 Trojans
|V1=0 |V2=6 |V3=0 |V4=14
|Host='''No. 25 Wildcats'''
|H1=0 |H2=12 |H3=7 |H4=8
|Date=September 21
|Location=[[KSU Stadium]], [[Manhattan, Kansas]]
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Weather=
|Referee=John Laurie
|TVAnnouncers=[[Ron Thulin]], [[Charles Davis (defensive back)|Charles Davis]], [[Craig Sager]], and [[Erin Andrews]]
|TVStation=[[TBS Sports|TBS]]
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=2 |Time=5:43 |Team=KSU |Event=Jared Brite 35-yard field goal |Score=KSU 3–0 }}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=3:46 |Team=KSU |Event=[[Ell Roberson]] 1-yard fun (Brite kick) |Score=KSU 10–0 }}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=0:32 |Team=USC |Event=Mike Patterson 3-yard fumble return (kick blocked) |Score=KSU 10–6 }}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=0:32 |Team=KSU |Event=[[Terence Newman]] 98-yard PAT return |Score=KSU 12–6 }}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=3:55 |Team=KSU |Event=[[Darren Sproles]] 10-yard fun (Brite kick) |Score=KSU 19–6 }}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=14:55 |Team=KSU |Event=James Terry 10-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Roberson run) |Score=KSU 27–6 }}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=10:21 |Team=USC |Event=Keary Colbert 9-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) |Score=KSU 27–13}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=6:31 |Team=USC |Event=Sultan McCullough 25-yard run (Killeen kick) |Score='''KSU 27–20''' |LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team}}

<ref>{{cite news |title=Palmer's Legacy Hangs in Balance |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-22-sp-plaschke22-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=September 22, 2002 |access-date=September 8, 2019 |last=Plaschke |first=Bill |author-link=Bill Plaschke}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! Statistics !! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|USC Trojans}}"|USC!!style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Kansas State Wildcats}}"|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
|-
|}

{{Clear}}

===No. 23 Oregon State===
{{AFB game box start
|Title=No. 23 Oregon State at No. 18 USC
|Visitor=No. 23 Beavers
|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0
|Host='''No. 18 Trojans'''
|H1=0 |H2=13 |H3=6 |H4=3
|Date=September 28
|Location=[[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]], Los Angeles
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=2 |Time=14:50 |Team= USC|Event=[[Ryan Killeen]] 43-yard field goal |Score= USC 3-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=13:04 |Team=USC |Event=Ryan Killeen 42-yard field goal |Score= USC 6-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=0:10 |Team=USC |Event=[[Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984)|Mike Williams]] 11-yard pass from [[Carson Palmer]] (Ryan Killeen kick) |Score= USC 13-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=4:45 |Team=USC |Event=Mike Williams 16-yard pass from Carson Palmer (pass failed) |Score= USC 19-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=10:34 |Team=USC |Event=Ryan Killeen 32-yard field goal |Score='''USC 22-0''' |LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|2002 Oregon State Beavers football team}}

{{Clear}}

===at No. 17 Washington State===

{{AFB game box start
|Title=No. 18 USC at No. 17 Washington State
|Visitor=No. 18 Trojans
|V1= 7|V2=0 |V3=7 |V4=13 |VOT=0
|Host='''No. 17 Cougars'''
|H1=10 |H2=0 |H3= 7|H4=10 |HOT=3
|Date=October 5
|Location=[[Martin Stadium]], [[Pullman, Washington]]
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|2002 Washington State Cougars football team}}

{{Clear}}

===California===

{{AFB game box start
|Title=California at No. 20 USC
|Visitor=Golden Bears
|V1=14 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=7
|Host='''No. 20 Trojans'''
|H1=3 |H2=14 |H3=7 |H4=6
|Date=October 12
|Location=[[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]], Los Angeles
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time=10:06 |Team=CAL |Event=Joe Igber 3-yard run (Mark Jensen kick) |Score= CAL 7-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=1 |Time=6:04 |Team=USC |Event=[[Ryan Killeen]] 34-yard field goal |Score= CAL 7-3}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=1 |Time=2:24 |Team=CAL |Event=Terrell Williams 1-yard run (Mark Jensen kick) |Score= CAL 14-3}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=11:42 |Team=CAL |Event=Jonathan Makonnen 15-yard pass from [[Kyle Boller]] (Mark Jensen kick) |Score= CAL 21-3}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=5:29 |Team=USC |Event=[[Kareem Kelly]] 6-yard pass from [[Carson Palmer]] (Ryan Killeen kick) |Score= CAL 21-10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=1:06 |Team=USC |Event=[[Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984)|Mike Williams]] 21-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) |Score= CAL 21-17}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=8:38 |Team=USC |Event=[[Sultan McCullough]] 2-yard run (Ryan Killeen kick) |Score= USC 24-21}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=9:59 |Team=USC |Event=Ryan Killeen 32-yard field goal |Score= USC 27-21}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=1:41 |Team=USC |Event=Ryan Killeen 18-yard field goal |Score= USC 30-21}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=0:35 |Team=CAL |Event=Tom Swoboda 5-yard pass from Kyle Boller (Mark Jensen kick) |Score='''USC 30-28'''|LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|2002 California Golden Bears football team}}

{{Clear}}

===No. 22 Washington===

{{AFB game box start
|Title=#22/17 Washington at #19/20 USC
|Visitor=No. 22 Huskies
|V1= 7|V2= 0|V3=0 |V4=14
|Host='''No. 19 Trojans'''
|H1=7 |H2=10 |H3=17 |H4=7
|Date=October 19
|Location=[[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]], Los Angeles
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=[[Keith Jackson]], [[Dan Fouts]] & Todd Harris
|TVStation=ABC
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time=2:47 |Team=USC |Event=[[Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984)|Mike Williams]] 43-yard pass from [[Carson Palmer]] ([[Ryan Killeen]] kick) |Score= USC 7-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=1 |Time=0:04 |Team=WASH |Event=Paul Arnold 5-yard pass from [[Cody Pickett]] (John Anderson kick) |Score= Tied 7-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=10:53 |Team=USC |Event=[[Keary Colbert]] 61-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) |Score= USC 14-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=6:58 |Team= USC|Event=Ryan Killeen 30-yard field goal |Score= USC 17-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=9:34 |Team=USC |Event=Mike Williams 14-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) |Score= USC 24-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=6:56 |Team=USC |Event=Mike Williams 11-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) |Score= USC 31-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=4:56 |Team=USC |Event=Ryan Killeen 33-yard field goal |Score= USC 34-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=13:30 |Team=WASH |Event=Kevin Ware 2-yard pass from Cody Pickett (John Anderson kick) |Score= USC 34-14}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=10:22 |Team=WASH |Event=[[Reggie Williams (wide receiver)|Reggie Williams]] 27-yard pass from Cody Pickett (John Anderson kick) |Score= USC 34-21}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=3:23 |Team=USC |Event=[[Justin Fargas]] 13-yard run (Ryan Killeen kick) |Score='''USC 41-21'''|LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|2002 Washington Huskies football team}}

{{Clear}}

===at No. 14 Oregon===
{{AFB game box start
|Title=No. 15 USC at No. 14 Oregon
|Visitor='''No. 15 Trojans'''
|V1=14 |V2=0 |V3=20 |V4=10
|Host=No. 14 Ducks
|H1=13 |H2=6 |H3=0 |H4=14
|Date=October 26
|Location=[[Autzen Stadium]], [[Eugene, Oregon]]
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=56,754
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
<!--
{{AFB game box scoring entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time= |Team=ORE |Event=Jason Fife 5 yard run (Jared Siegel kick) |Score= Oregon 7–0}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=1 |Time= |Team=ORE |Event= George Wrighster 4 yard pass from Jason Fife (Jared Siegel kick) |Score= Oregon 14–0}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team= ORE|Event= George Wrighster 27 yard pass from Jason Fife (Jared Siegel kick) |Score= Oregon 21–0}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team=ORE |Event=Jared Siegel 39 yard field goal |Score= Oregon 24–0}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team=ORE |Event= Jared Siegel 47 yard field goal |Score= Oregon 27–0}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team=MSST |Event=Dontae Walker 1 yard run (John Michael Marlin kick) |Score= Oregon 27–7}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team=ORE |Event=Jared Siegel 39 yard field goal |Score= Oregon 30–7}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team=ORE |Event=Samie Parker 34 yard pass from Jason Fife (kick failed) |Score= Oregon 36–7}}
{{AFB game box scoring entry |Quarter= 4|Time= |Team=MSST |Event=Brandon Wright 9 yard pass from [[Kyle York]] (pass failed) |Score= Oregon 36–13|LastEntry=yes}}-->
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|2002 Oregon Ducks football team}}
{{Clear}}

===at Stanford===
{{AFB game box start
|Title=No. 10 USC at Stanford
|Visitor='''No. 10 Trojans'''
|V1=14 |V2=7 |V3=14 |V4=14
|Host=Cardinal
|H1=7 |H2=3 |H3=0 |H4=7
|Date=October 19
|Location=[[Stanford Stadium]], [[Palo Alto, California]]
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=44,950
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|2002 Stanford Cardinal football team|Stanford–USC football rivalry}}

{{Clear}}

===Arizona State===
{{AFB game box start
|Title=Arizona State at No. 8 USC
|Visitor=Sun Devils
|V1=3 |V2=7 |V3=3 |V4=0
|Host='''No. 8 Trojans'''
|H1=10 |H2=10 |H3=0 |H4=14
|Date=November 16
|Location=[[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]], Los Angeles
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|2002 Arizona State Sun Devils football team}}

<ref>{{cite news |title=Trojans Focus Is Unrivaled |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-17-sp-usc17-story.html |newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 17, 2002 |access-date=December 10, 2002}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

===at No. 25 UCLA===
{{AFB game box start
|Title=No. 7 USC at No. 25 UCLA
|Visitor='''No. 7 Trojans'''
|V1=21 |V2=7 |V3=14 |V4=10
|Host=No. 25 Bruins
|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=14
|Date=November 23
|Location=[[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]], [[Pasadena]]
|StartTime=3:30 p.m.
|TimeZone=EST
|ElapsedTime=3:26
|Attendance=91,084
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=ABC
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |QuarterEntries=3 |Time= 14:53|Team= USC|Event=[[Kareem Kelly|Kelly]] 34-yard passing touchdown from [[Carson Palmer|Palmer]] ([[Ryan Killeen|Killeen]] kick) |Score= USC 7–0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=10:30 |Team=USC |Event=[[Keary Colbert|Colbert]] 51-yard passing touchdown from Palmer (Kileen kick) |Score= USC 14–0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=6:04 |Team=USC |Event=[[Justin Fargas|Fargas]] 1-yard run (Killeen kick) |Score= USC 21–0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time=11:40|Team=UCLA |Event=White 7-yard run (Fikse kick) |Score= USC 21–7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=4:20 |Team=USC |Event=[[Malaefou MacKenzie|MacKenzie]] 2-yard passing touchdown from Palmer (Killeen kick) |Score= USC 28–7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |QuarterEntries=3 |Time=13:45 |Team=USC |Event=Colbert34-yard run (Killeen kick) |Score= USC 35–7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=2:05 |Team=USC |Event=Guenther Jr. 3-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) |Score= USC 42–7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |QuarterEntries=4 |Time=14:55 |Team=USC |Event=Killeen 27-yard field goal |Score= USC 45–7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=9:30 |Team=USC |Event=Dennis 38-yard run (Killeen kick) |Score= USC 52–7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time= 2:47|Team=UCLA |Event=White Jr. 10-yard passing touchdown from Moore (Fikse kick) |Score=USC 52–14}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=0:59 |Team=UCLA |Event=Lewis 14-yard passing touchdown from Sciarra (Fikse kick) |Score='''USC 52–21''' |LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}

*[[Carson Palmer]] 19/32, 254 Yds, 4 TD
*[[Kareem Kelly]] 4 Rec, 94 Yds, 1 TD

<ref>[https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=223270026]. Retrieved 2017-Feb-14.</ref>
{{Clear}}

===No. 7 Notre Dame===
{{AFB game box start
|Title=
|Visitor=No. 7 Fighting Irish
|V1=6 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=0
|Host='''No. 6 Trojans'''
|H1=0 |H2=17 |H3= 13|H4=14
|Date=November 30
|Location=[[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]], Los Angeles
|StartTime=8:00 p.m.
|TimeZone=EST
|ElapsedTime=3:26
|Attendance=91,432
|Weather=Cloudy; {{convert|60|F}}; wind variable
|Referee=Chuck McFerrin
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=ABC
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time= 4:10|Team= ND|Event=Setta 34-yard field goal |Score= ND 3–0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=3:46 |Team=ND |Event= Setta 32-yard field goal |Score= ND 6–0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |QuarterEntries=4 |Time=10:49 |Team=USC |Event=[[Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984)|Williams]] 6-yard pass from [[Carson Palmer|Palmer]] ([[Ryan Killeen|Killeen]] kick) |Score= USC 7–6}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time= 3:34|Team=USC |Event=Killeen 22-yard field goal |Score= USC 10–6}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=1:07 |Team=ND |Event=Pierre-Antoine recovered blocked punt in end zone (Setta kick) |Score= ND 13–10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=:05 |Team=USC |Event=Williams 19-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) |Score= USC 17–13}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |QuarterEntries=3|Time=12:01 |Team=USC |Event=[[Malaefou MacKenzie|MacKenzie]] 15-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) |Score= USC 24–13}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=6:36 |Team=USC |Event= Killeen 27-yard field goal |Score= USC 27–13}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=2:15 |Team=USC |Event= Killeen 29-yard field goal |Score= USC 30–13}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time= 11:58|Team=USC |Event=[[Sultan McCullough|McCullough]] 11-yard run (Killeen kick) |Score=USC 37–13}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=7:23 |Team=USC |Event=MacKenzie 10-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick) |Score='''USC 44–13''' |LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}

{{see also|2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}

*[[Carson Palmer]] 32/46, 425 Yds
*[[Justin Fargas]] 20 Rush, 120 Yds
*[[Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984)|Mike Williams]] 10 Rec, 169 Yds

<ref>{{cite news |title=Palmer's Offense Boosts U.S.C. over Notre Dame |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/01/sports/ncaafootball/palmers-offense-boosts-usc-over-notre-dame.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 1, 2002 |access-date=December 10, 2002}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |title=Southern Cal's Palmer Captures the Heisman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/15/sports/football-southern-cal-s-palmer-captures-the-heisman.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 15, 2002 |access-date=December 10, 2002}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

===vs. No. 3 Iowa (Orange Bowl)===

{{AFB game box start
|Title=#3/5 Iowa Hawkeyes at #5/4 USC Trojans
|Visitor=No. 3 Hawkeyes
|V1=10 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=7
|Host='''No. 5 Trojans'''
|H1=7 |H2=3 |H3=14 |H4=14
|Date=January 2
|Location=[[Pro Player Stadium]]
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance= 75,971<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orangebowl.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11800&KEY=&ATCLID=1249402 |title = BCS GAME RESULTS - OrangeBowl.org The Official Site of The FedEx Orange Bowl Championship |website=www.orangebowl.org |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602014445/http://www.orangebowl.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11800&KEY=&ATCLID=1249402 |archive-date=2 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=[[Tim Brant]], [[Ed Cunningham]]
|TVStation=ABC
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time=14:43 |Team=IOWA |Event=C.J. Jones 100-yard kickoff return |Score= IOWA 7-0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=1 |Time=12:46 |Team=USC |Event=[[Justin Fargas]] 4-yard run|Score= TIED 7-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=1 |Time=6:26 |Team=IOWA |Event=[[Nate Kaeding]] 35-yard field goal|Score= IOWA 10-7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=1:12 |Team=USC |Event=Ryan Killeen 35-yard field goal|Score= TIED 10-10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=10:14 |Team=USC |Event=[[Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984)|Mike Williams]] 18-yard pass from [[Carson Palmer]]|Score= USC 17-10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=4:58 |Team=USC |Event=Justin Fargas 50-yard run|Score= USC 24-10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=14:25 |Team=USC |Event=Sultan McCullough 5-yard run|Score= USC 31-10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=2:36 |Team=USC |Event=Sunny Byrd 6-yard run|Score= USC 38-10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=0:34|Team=IOWA |Event=Maurice Brown 18-yard pass from [[Brad Banks]]|Score='''USC 38-17'''|LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}

{{main|2003 Orange Bowl}}
{{see also|2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team}}

USC played third ranked [[2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|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]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2002.html|title = 2002 Heisman Trophy Voting}}</ref> Banks was the quarterback for the Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes had only lost one game all year and it was to their rival [[2002 Iowa State Cyclones football team|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 (wide receiver, born 1984)|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=230020030|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124150803/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=230020030|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2013|title = Iowa vs. USC - Game Recap - January 2, 2003 - ESPN}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! Statistics !! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Iowa Hawkeyes}}"|IOWA!!style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|USC Trojans}}"|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
|-
|}

{{-}}


==2002 Team Players in the NFL==
==2002 team players in the NFL==
*[[Marcell Allmond]]
*[[Marcell Allmond]]
*[[Kevin Arbet]]
*[[Kevin Arbet]]
Line 317: Line 769:
*[[Chris McFoy]]
*[[Chris McFoy]]
*[[Sultan McCullough]]
*[[Sultan McCullough]]
*[[Jason Mitchell]]
*[[Jason Mitchell (wide receiver)|Jason Mitchell]]
*[[Carson Palmer]]
*[[Carson Palmer]]
*[[Mike Patterson (American football)|Mike Patterson]]
*[[Mike Patterson (American football)|Mike Patterson]]
Line 329: Line 781:
*[[Kenechi Udeze]]
*[[Kenechi Udeze]]
*[[Lenny Vandermade]]
*[[Lenny Vandermade]]
*[[John Walker (football player)|John Walker]]
*[[John Walker (American football)|John Walker]]
*[[Lee Webb]]
*[[Lee Webb (American football)|Lee Webb]]
*[[Kyle Williams (offensive tackle)|Kyle Williams]]
*[[Kyle Williams (offensive tackle)|Kyle Williams]]
*[[Mike Williams (wide receiver b. 1984)|Mike Williams]]
*[[Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984)|Mike Williams]]
*[[Manuel Wright]]
*[[Manuel Wright]]
*[[Justin Wyatt]]
*[[Justin Wyatt]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|2}}
*[http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/usc-m-footbl-archive.html USC Football Archive (2002 Season)], USC Athletic Department.
*[http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?pollId=null&weekNumber=1&seasonYear=2002 2002 NCAA Football Rankings], ESPN.com.

==External links==
*[http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/usc-m-footbl-body.html Official site]


{{USC Trojans football navbox}}
{{USCFootballSeasons}}
{{Pac-12 Conference football champions}}


[[Category:2002 NCAA Division I-A football season|USC]]
[[Category:2002 Pacific-10 Conference football season|USC]]
[[Category:USC Trojans football seasons]]
[[Category:USC Trojans football seasons]]
[[Category:Pacific-12 Conference football champion seasons]]
[[Category:Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons]]
[[Category:Orange Bowl champion seasons]]
[[Category:Orange Bowl champion seasons]]
[[Category:2002 in sports in California|USC Trojans football]]

Latest revision as of 10:34, 22 September 2024

2002 USC Trojans football
National champion
(Dunkel, Matthews, Sagarin)
Pac-10 co-champion
Orange Bowl champion
Orange Bowl, W 38–17 vs. Iowa
ConferencePacific-10 Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 4
APNo. 4
Record11–2 (7–1 Pac-10)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorNorm Chow (2nd season)
Captains
Home stadiumLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum (c. 92,000, grass)
Seasons
← 2001
2003 →
2002 Pacific-10 Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 10 Washington State $+   7 – 1     10 – 3  
No. 4 USC  %+   7 – 1     11 – 2  
Arizona State   5 – 3     8 – 6  
UCLA   4 – 4     8 – 5  
Oregon State   4 – 4     8 – 5  
California   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Washington   4 – 4     7 – 6  
Oregon   3 – 5     7 – 6  
Arizona   1 – 7     4 – 8  
Stanford   1 – 7     2 – 9  
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

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.

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.

Recruiting

[edit]

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.

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 25:00 p.m.Auburn*No. 20
ABCW 24–1763,269[2]
September 1412:30 p.m.at No. 18 Colorado*No. 17
ABCW 40–353,119[2]
September 214:00 p.m.at No. 25 Kansas State*No. 11
TBSL 20–2749,276[2]
September 283:30 p.m.No. 23 Oregon StateNo. 18
  • Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
  • Los Angeles, CA
FSNW 22–056,417[2]
October 54:00 p.m.at No. 17 Washington StateNo. 18
TBSL 27–30 OT36,861[2]
October 123:30 p.m.CaliforniaNo. 20
  • Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
  • Los Angeles, CA
FSNW 30–2863,113[2]
October 1912:30 p.m.No. 22 WashingtonNo. 19
  • Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
  • Los Angeles, CA
ABCW 41–2152,961[2]
October 2612:30 p.m.at No. 14 OregonNo. 15
ABCW 44–3356,754[2]
November 95:00 p.m.at StanfordNo. 10
ABCW 49–1744,950[2]
November 164:00 p.m.Arizona StatedaggerNo. 8
  • Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
  • Los Angeles, CA
TBSW 34–1373,923[2]
November 2312:30 p.m.at No. 25 UCLANo. 7
ABCW 52–2191,084[2]
November 305:00 p.m.No. 7 Notre Dame*No. 6
  • Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
  • Los Angeles, CA (rivalry)
ABCW 44–1391,432[2]
January 2, 20035:00 p.m.vs. No. 3 Iowa*No. 5
ABCW 38–1775,971[2]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Pacific time

Roster

[edit]
2002 USC Trojans football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 31 Will Buchanon Fr
TE 88 Doyal Butler Jr
RB 39 Sunny Byrd So
WR 19 Greig Carlson Fr
TE 86 Dominique Byrd Fr
QB 10 Matt Cassel So
WR 83 Keary Colbert Jr
RB 25 Justin Fargas Sr
TE 44 Gregg Guenther Fr
TE 81 Alex Holmes Jr
C 62 Norm Katnik Jr
WR 2 Kareem Kelly Sr
RB 37 David Kirtman Fr
QB 11 Matt Leinart Fr
FB 21 Malaefou MacKenzie Sr
RB 4 Sultan McCullough Sr
QB 3 Carson Palmer Sr
OT 77 Jacob Rogers Jr
G 78 Lenny Vandermade So
RB 35 Lee Webb So
WR 1 Mike Williams Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
CB 8 Marcell Allmond Jr
LB 59 Collin Ashton Fr
DT 84 Shaun Cody Fr
LB 6 Matt Grootegoed So
DB 27 Jason Leach So
DT 99 Mike Patterson So
S 43 Troy Polamalu Sr
DT 93 Bernard Riley Sr
LB 42 Dallas Sartz Fr
DE 94 Kenechi Udeze So
CB 24 Justin Wyatt Fr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 16 Ryan Killeen Fr
P 14 Tom Malone Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 2004-05-13

Game summaries

[edit]

Auburn

[edit]
Auburn at No. 20 USC
1 234Total
Tigers 7 703 17
• No. 20 Trojans 7 737 24
Scoring summary
112:05USCKareem Kelly 15-yard pass from Carson Palmer (David Davis kick)USC 7-0
18:31AUBCadillac Williams 23-yard run (Damon Duval kick)Tied 7-7
212:04USCSultan McCullough 3-yard run (David Davis kick)USC 14-7
20:11AUBRonnie Brown 1-yard run (Damon Duval kick)Tied 14-14
37:05USCDavid Davis 37-yard field goalUSC 17-14
414:51AUBDamon Duval 39-yard field goalTied 17-17
41:26USCCarson Palmer 1-yard run (David Davis kick)USC 24-17
See also: 2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team

at No. 18 Colorado

[edit]
No. 17 USC at No. 18 Colorado
1 234Total
• No. 17 Trojans 14 6020 40
No. 18 Buffaloes 0 030 3
Scoring summary
19:56USCMalaefou MacKenzie 32-yard pass from Carson Palmer (David Davis kick)USC 7-0
12:46USCMalaefou MacKenzie 14-yard run (David Davis kick)USC 14-0
22:08USCSultan McCullough 62-yard run (kick failed)USC 20-0
32:51COLPatrick Brougham 42-yard field goalUSC 20-3
410:24USCCarson Palmer 1-yard run (David Davis kick)USC 27-3
48:47USCMike Ross recovered blocked punt in end zone (kick failed)USC 33-3
42:47USCDarryl Poston 4-yard run (David Davis kick)USC 40-3
See also: 2002 Colorado Buffaloes football team

at No. 25 Kansas State

[edit]
No. 11 USC at No. 25 Kansas State
1 234Total
No. 11 Trojans 0 6014 20
• No. 25 Wildcats 0 1278 27
Scoring summary
25:43KSUJared Brite 35-yard field goalKSU 3–0
23:46KSUEll Roberson 1-yard fun (Brite kick)KSU 10–0
20:32USCMike Patterson 3-yard fumble return (kick blocked)KSU 10–6
20:32KSUTerence Newman 98-yard PAT returnKSU 12–6
33:55KSUDarren Sproles 10-yard fun (Brite kick)KSU 19–6
414:55KSUJames Terry 10-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Roberson run)KSU 27–6
410:21USCKeary Colbert 9-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick)KSU 27–13
46:31USCSultan McCullough 25-yard run (Killeen kick)KSU 27–20
See also: 2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team

[3]

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

No. 23 Oregon State

[edit]
No. 23 Oregon State at No. 18 USC
1 234Total
No. 23 Beavers 0 000 0
• No. 18 Trojans 0 1363 22
Scoring summary
214:50USCRyan Killeen 43-yard field goalUSC 3-0
213:04USCRyan Killeen 42-yard field goalUSC 6-0
20:10USCMike Williams 11-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick)USC 13-0
34:45USCMike Williams 16-yard pass from Carson Palmer (pass failed)USC 19-0
410:34USCRyan Killeen 32-yard field goalUSC 22-0
See also: 2002 Oregon State Beavers football team

at No. 17 Washington State

[edit]
No. 18 USC at No. 17 Washington State
1 234OTTotal
No. 18 Trojans 7 07130 27
• No. 17 Cougars 10 07103 30
See also: 2002 Washington State Cougars football team

California

[edit]
California at No. 20 USC
1 234Total
Golden Bears 14 707 28
• No. 20 Trojans 3 1476 30
Scoring summary
110:06CALJoe Igber 3-yard run (Mark Jensen kick)CAL 7-0
16:04USCRyan Killeen 34-yard field goalCAL 7-3
12:24CALTerrell Williams 1-yard run (Mark Jensen kick)CAL 14-3
211:42CALJonathan Makonnen 15-yard pass from Kyle Boller (Mark Jensen kick)CAL 21-3
25:29USCKareem Kelly 6-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick)CAL 21-10
21:06USCMike Williams 21-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick)CAL 21-17
38:38USCSultan McCullough 2-yard run (Ryan Killeen kick)USC 24-21
49:59USCRyan Killeen 32-yard field goalUSC 27-21
41:41USCRyan Killeen 18-yard field goalUSC 30-21
40:35CALTom Swoboda 5-yard pass from Kyle Boller (Mark Jensen kick)USC 30-28
See also: 2002 California Golden Bears football team

No. 22 Washington

[edit]
#22/17 Washington at #19/20 USC
1 234Total
No. 22 Huskies 7 0014 21
• No. 19 Trojans 7 10177 41
Scoring summary
12:47USCMike Williams 43-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick)USC 7-0
10:04WASHPaul Arnold 5-yard pass from Cody Pickett (John Anderson kick)Tied 7-7
210:53USCKeary Colbert 61-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick)USC 14-7
26:58USCRyan Killeen 30-yard field goalUSC 17-7
39:34USCMike Williams 14-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick)USC 24-7
36:56USCMike Williams 11-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick)USC 31-7
34:56USCRyan Killeen 33-yard field goalUSC 34-7
413:30WASHKevin Ware 2-yard pass from Cody Pickett (John Anderson kick)USC 34-14
410:22WASHReggie Williams 27-yard pass from Cody Pickett (John Anderson kick)USC 34-21
43:23USCJustin Fargas 13-yard run (Ryan Killeen kick)USC 41-21
See also: 2002 Washington Huskies football team

at No. 14 Oregon

[edit]
No. 15 USC at No. 14 Oregon
1 234Total
• No. 15 Trojans 14 02010 44
No. 14 Ducks 13 6014 33
See also: 2002 Oregon Ducks football team

at Stanford

[edit]
No. 10 USC at Stanford
1 234Total
• No. 10 Trojans 14 71414 49
Cardinal 7 307 17
See also: 2002 Stanford Cardinal football team and Stanford–USC football rivalry

Arizona State

[edit]
Arizona State at No. 8 USC
1 234Total
Sun Devils 3 730 13
• No. 8 Trojans 10 10014 34
See also: 2002 Arizona State Sun Devils football team

[4]

at No. 25 UCLA

[edit]
No. 7 USC at No. 25 UCLA
1 234Total
• No. 7 Trojans 21 71410 52
No. 25 Bruins 0 7014 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
       
Scoring summary
114:53USCKelly 34-yard passing touchdown from Palmer (Killeen kick)USC 7–0
10:30USCColbert 51-yard passing touchdown from Palmer (Kileen kick)USC 14–0
6:04USCFargas 1-yard run (Killeen kick)USC 21–0
211:40UCLAWhite 7-yard run (Fikse kick)USC 21–7
4:20USCMacKenzie 2-yard passing touchdown from Palmer (Killeen kick)USC 28–7
313:45USCColbert34-yard run (Killeen kick)USC 35–7
2:05USCGuenther Jr. 3-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick)USC 42–7
414:55USCKilleen 27-yard field goalUSC 45–7
9:30USCDennis 38-yard run (Killeen kick)USC 52–7
2:47UCLAWhite Jr. 10-yard passing touchdown from Moore (Fikse kick)USC 52–14
0:59UCLALewis 14-yard passing touchdown from Sciarra (Fikse kick)USC 52–21

[5]

No. 7 Notre Dame

[edit]
1 234Total
No. 7 Fighting Irish 6 700 13
• No. 6 Trojans 0 171314 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
       
Scoring summary
14:10NDSetta 34-yard field goalND 3–0
3:46NDSetta 32-yard field goalND 6–0
210:49USCWilliams 6-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick)USC 7–6
3:34USCKilleen 22-yard field goalUSC 10–6
1:07NDPierre-Antoine recovered blocked punt in end zone (Setta kick)ND 13–10
:05USCWilliams 19-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick)USC 17–13
312:01USCMacKenzie 15-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick)USC 24–13
6:36USCKilleen 27-yard field goalUSC 27–13
2:15USCKilleen 29-yard field goalUSC 30–13
411:58USCMcCullough 11-yard run (Killeen kick)USC 37–13
7:23USCMacKenzie 10-yard pass from Palmer (Killeen kick)USC 44–13
See also: 2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

[6] [7]

vs. No. 3 Iowa (Orange Bowl)

[edit]
#3/5 Iowa Hawkeyes at #5/4 USC Trojans
1 234Total
No. 3 Hawkeyes 10 007 17
• No. 5 Trojans 7 31414 38
Scoring summary
114:43IOWAC.J. Jones 100-yard kickoff returnIOWA 7-0
112:46USCJustin Fargas 4-yard runTIED 7-7
16:26IOWANate Kaeding 35-yard field goalIOWA 10-7
21:12USCRyan Killeen 35-yard field goalTIED 10-10
310:14USCMike Williams 18-yard pass from Carson PalmerUSC 17-10
34:58USCJustin Fargas 50-yard runUSC 24-10
414:25USCSultan McCullough 5-yard runUSC 31-10
42:36USCSunny Byrd 6-yard runUSC 38-10
40:34IOWAMaurice Brown 18-yard pass from Brad BanksUSC 38-17
Main article: 2003 Orange Bowl
See also: 2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

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]

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

2002 team players in the NFL

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). Indianapolis: National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Cumulative Season Statistics". University of Southern California Department of Athletics. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  3. ^ Plaschke, Bill (September 22, 2002). "Palmer's Legacy Hangs in Balance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  4. ^ "Trojans Focus Is Unrivaled". The Los Angeles Times. November 17, 2002. Retrieved December 10, 2002.
  5. ^ [1]. Retrieved 2017-Feb-14.
  6. ^ "Palmer's Offense Boosts U.S.C. over Notre Dame". The New York Times. December 1, 2002. Retrieved December 10, 2002.
  7. ^ "Southern Cal's Palmer Captures the Heisman". The New York Times. December 15, 2002. Retrieved December 10, 2002.
  8. ^ "BCS GAME RESULTS - OrangeBowl.org The Official Site of The FedEx Orange Bowl Championship". www.orangebowl.org. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  9. ^ "2002 Heisman Trophy Voting".
  10. ^ "Iowa vs. USC - Game Recap - January 2, 2003 - ESPN". Archived from the original on January 24, 2013.
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