This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than the enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. My rifle and I know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, or the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit. My rifle is human, even as I am human, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life. So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy. - Marine Corps Rifleman's Creed.
With Havili leading the way — often executing what is known in Trojans lingo as a “surgery” blocking technique — USC’s three leading rushers last season combined to average 6.6 yards per carry. But to limit Havili’s contribution to the Trojans’ offense by painting him as a fullback in the traditional sense (simply a burly road grader) would not do justice to the player who amassed the fourth-most receptions and receiving yards on the team in 2007.
“He’s versatile; he is our offense,” junior running back Stafon Johnson said of Havili. “Our offense runs through him because he can do so many things.”
Two years ago, the Trojans got a taste of life without a fullback when Stanley Havili became the third fullback to suffer a season-ending injury within the team’s first three games.
Last year, Havili recovered nicely and put together a solid redshirt freshman season. Although he may be remembered unfairly for the fumble against Oregon that led to the Ducks’ game-winning touchdown, Havili was one of the key elements in a vastly improved offensive attack in 2007.
Behind Havili, the Trojans had three 500-yard rushers, including Chauncey Washington’s near 1,000-yard season. Havili may not be the kind of bruising, physical fullback seen on rosters around the country, but he’s a perfect fit in the Trojan offense. He’s a willing and very productive lead blocker and he combines that with the athleticism needed to be a threat either running or receiving the ball.
Last season, Havili had at least one reception in every game and at least one rushing attempt in all but three. His 34 receptions were good for fourth on the team, Continue reading →
This is not coming from Dreadnaught, this is coming from ESPN and The Sporting News:
“The No. 7 Trojans are better than both No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 LSU, which will play for the BCS championship Monday night in the Louisiana Superdome.”
-Mark Schlabach from ESPN
“There’s no doubt — USC is nation’s best. And no team, not even mighty Patriots, has dominated more this decade.”
From the beginning of this game, you could see the difference in speed. The
Men of Troy came out on the first drive with John David Booty spreading
the ball around, 5 receivers in the first 5 passes. The opening drive
was almost mechanical: 1:47 51 yards.
The Trojans had a number of injured players return to the lineup for the game in South Bend, including Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga. One injured player that did not return was John David Booty, so Mark Sanchez got his second straight start and quarterback. Stanley Havili had a solid game, and Joe McKnight had a big run in the second half. When asked about his team’s play and if they had hit the bottom, Charlie Weis said,
“I’m going to answer that very cautiously, because I don’t want to be called sarcastic using New Jersey rhetoric. So let me just say people better enjoy it now, have their fun now.”
As always, yojoe is a huge fan of Stanley Havili. He adds a tre pass-catching threat out of the backfield. And he scores on the goal line going through the air.
The Trojans tailbacks are very good, and depth is not a problem, but the way this O-line is playing the Trojans could have Charlie Weis running the ball and gain 100 yards per game.
The Trojans won this game on the ground. This was pure power football by the Men of Troy. Stafon Johnson had a big game. As previously called on Dreadnaught, Stanley Havili was impressive. The majority of the yards the Trojans gained was between the tackles.
As usual with the Trojans, Pete Carroll made his second-half adjustments and dominated the game. USC’s defense held the Huskers to 6 yards rushing. Continue reading →
USC fullback Stanley Havili has shown that he has fully recovered from the broken leg that caused him to miss the final 10 games of last season. The lack of a fullback hampered the Trojan’s rushing attack last season, in addition to the loss of Reggie Bush and LenDele White (to state the obvious). Coming out of high school, Havili was considered best player in the state of Utah.
Speaking of Havili’s play during the Idaho game Coach Carroll said, “[Havili] is really going to be a big time football player for us, You got a little taste of what he can do today.” Havili weighs 220 pounds, but shows astonishing athleticism, as can be seen in the picture of him hurdling a defender. Continue reading →
The views expressed on this blog are offered in the contributors' personal capacity. They do not purport to be speaking for, and their views should not be imputed to, any other organization, agency, or entity.
The 2009 Rose Bowl features the Trojans of USC against the Nittany 
Lions of Penn State. Both teams come in with a record of 11-1, SC having lost to Oregon State and Penn St losing to Iowa. The Men of Troy are representing the Pac-10 and the Nittany Lions are representing the Big Ten. Both teams are among the top ten college football programs of all time.
Readers of 
This is not coming from 
The Sun Devils score on special teams.
The great 
leg that caused him to miss the final 10 games of last season. The lack of a fullback hampered the Trojan’s rushing attack last season, in addition to the loss of Reggie Bush and LenDele White (to state the obvious). Coming out of high school, Havili was considered 
Speaking of Havili’s play during the Idaho game Coach Carroll 
Dreadnaught 