THE TROJANS ARE FOR REAL

Saturday was just a perfect day for a football game.  And the Trojans made sure the day remained perfect with a resounding 49-10 victory over the visitors from the University of Hawaii.  On their first play from scrimmage of the season, Marqise Lee took a short pass from Matt Barkley, juked and faked several defenders out of the their cleats and turned it into a 75-yard touchdown.  Lee also had a 100-yard kickoff return.  USC's victory over Hawaii on Saturday was the first step in what the Trojans hope will end with a shot to play for a national championship.

You would think that nothing could spoil such a perfect day.  Think again.  Hours before the Trojans took the field Saturday, the L.A. Times reported that former Los Angeles County Assessor's employee Scott Schenter has admitted giving a Chevrolet Monte Carlo to former Trojans running back Joe McKnight during the 2009 season.  The outcome of this game was never in doubt but the season is in doubt because of these latest allegations.  Will these new revelations prevent USC from playing in the championship game.  Considering the snail's pace that the NCAA moves at, it is not inconceivable these allegations could affect the championship game.

The good news for the Trojans is that the NCAA might consider it unseemly to level another stiff penalty on a program  for something that happened before it was punished, torn down and rebuilt by the new A.D., Pat Haden.  Remember, the Trojans are coming off of stiff penalties as a result of infractions that occurred when Reggie Bush was a Trojan.

"Just one move,' said Lee, humbly after what seemed like a dozen moves to complete his 75-yard touchdown reception for the first score.  The first hit of the 2012 season?  The first unleashing of two years of Trojans frustration?  Redshirt freshman SomaVainuku knocked the hell out the Hawaii kick returner causing a fumble that Hawaii recovered.

This was the 2012 debut of Matt Barkley in his quest for the Heisman Trophy, and he didn't disappoint, with 372 yards passing, four touchdowns and no interceptions.  But lots of folks were mesmerized by Lee, who thrilled the crowd by returning a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, giving him 297 total yards.

When the polls come out Monday,  USC should remain No. 1.  Stay tuned for next Saturday when USC continues its quest for a national championship with a visit to Syracruse in the East.