USC blanks ASU, increases win streak to nine over Sun Devils
LOS ANGELES -- A convincing victory was of little consolation to Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez, who reacted as if he was on the losing side.

Sanchez tosses three TDs as Trojans get back on track
LOS ANGELES -- Just what Dr. Pete ordered. Southern California roared back from its stunning loss and crushed No. 23 Oregon 44-10 Saturday night, manhandling what was considered the Beaver State's better Pac-10 team after being upset by Oregon State.

Trojans expect a 'hostile and personal' reception
Arizona fans usually make some noise, and this year is homecoming. Reporting from Tucson -- Arizona Stadium was empty and quiet late Friday afternoon as USC went through its walkthrough.

Kind of like the calm before the storm.

News and notes from Washington State — 10/19/2008
PULLMAN, Wash. — Injuries and illness forced the Trojans to do things a little differently Saturday at Washington State. New faces found their way into the starting lineup, and after USC's lead grew to insurmountable levels, the first team gave way to USC's reserves. Go inside for notes from the...[details]

The future is now for USC's young players
PULLMAN, Wash. -- Seven games remain in the regular season, not including a probable bowl appearance. But as sixth-ranked USC reaches the midpoint of its schedule today against Washington State, Trojans players, coaches and fans will glimpse the future.

USC ranked fifth in opening BCS poll
USC was fifth in Sunday's initial Bowl Championship Series rankings, but unlike in past years, Trojans coach Pete Carroll emerged from his usual cocoon and expressed some frustration with discussing the much-hyped ratings.

Fullback hunt continues for Trojans
Article Last Updated: 10/14/2008 10:42:34
USC coach Pete Carroll considered moving freshman linebacker Uona Kaveinga to fullback in his continuing search to find players for the unglamorous backfield position.

Gameday Dossier: Sept. 27
TheBootleg.com - Sep 25, 2008
Armond Armstead, the junior DT tasked with replacing Ellis, had committed a personal foul on the previous play. Believe it or not, Oregon State actually has ...

Dropped passes slow USC's game plan
Press-Enterprise, CA - Oct 13, 2008
Solid is also the word for the way USC's defense played, Carroll said, especially when Fili Moala moved to nose tackle and freshman Armond Armstead stepped ...

Bradford looks at surgery as injuries mount
Press-Enterprise, CA - 15 hours ago
... Moala looked moving down from the three-technique defensive tackle spot to nose with 6-foot-6, 300-pound freshman Armond Armstead at Moala's old spot. ...

Pac-10 Gameday Dossier, Oct. 4
DevilsDigest.com - Oct 3, 2008
In last week’s Dossier, I mistakenly cited USC freshman defensive tackle Armond Armstead as the player responsible for a personal foul that extended a drive ...

USC's defensive line steps up its production
Los Angeles Times, CA - Sep 17, 2008
Senior end Kyle Moore, senior tackle Fili Moala, sophomore end Everson Griffen, senior end Clay Matthews and freshman tackle Armond Armstead each had a sack ...

Pleasant Grove capitalizes on turnovers for road win
Elk Grove Citizen, CA - Sep 16, 2008
With the departures of Armond Armstead and Deonte Williams, arguably the two most notable athletes in school history, many felt the program would take a ...

Anticipated opener interlocks Delta leagues
Elk Grove Citizen, CA - Sep 11, 2008
The challenge this season is replacing two of the school’s most recognized athletes, running back Deonte Williams and lineman Armond Armstead. ...

Internal affairs: Sun Devils shore up the defense
ESPN - Sep 17, 2008
It wasn't just tackle Fili Moala and company whipping the Ohio State offensive line; it also was three true freshmen: tackle Armond Armstead, who recorded a ...

USC adds depth with freshmen Nick Perry and Curtis McNeal
Los Angeles Times, CA - Sep 16, 2008
Perry joins a talented group of freshman defensive linemen, including end Malik Jackson and tackles Armond Armstead and Jurrell Casey -- each of whom has ...

Fili Moala ready to get physical
Los Angeles Times, CA - Sep 11, 2008
With Moala sidelined for much of Wednesday's workout, freshman Armond Armstead worked in his spot. Senior end Kyle Moore also did not practice for a second ...

Trojans Cruise Past Ducks, 44-10

Southern California roared back from its stunning loss and crushed No. 23 Oregon 44-10 Saturday night, manhandling what was considered the Beaver State's better Pac-10 team after being upset by Oregon State.

"This is exactly what we needed to do," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "This was exactly the game we were looking for to bounce back and get back on track.

"These guys came out and played like crazy. This was a big moment for us."

Fili Moala ready to get physical

USC defensive tackle Fili Moala wears No. 75, but he cannot escape the attention of No. 1.

That's the overall spot an ESPN analyst shockingly slotted Moala into last April in an early 2009 NFL mock draft................

With Moala sidelined for much of Wednesday's workout, freshman Armond Armstead worked in his spot.
 

USC free to gear up for Buckeyes

USC has marched through the South the past five years in a manner even Civil War Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman could admire, with season-opening blowouts at Auburn, Arkansas and Virginia.

The average margin of victory was 35 points, but unlike Sherman's victorious battles, there is not a lot of lasting impact by routing an SEC or ACC team in the first game of the season.

Two years ago, when USC blew out Arkansas, few thought the Trojans would eventually lose to Oregon or UCLA. When the Trojans embarrassed sixth-ranked Auburn, 23-0, in 2003, who predicted that four weeks later USC would lose to California?

Perhaps that is why USC coach Pete Carroll kept things under control Sunday night, especially with second-ranked Ohio State visiting the Coliseum in two weeks.

Pete Carroll turns the focus on youth at USC

Trojans' coach will use this week's open date to take a closer look at freshmen who could play key backup roles as the season wears on....

On defense, Armond Armstead could work into a backup role behind tackle Fili Moala and end Malik Jackson also will play more with the first unit, Carroll said. Both played in the opener against Virginia, Jackson making two tackles, Armstead one.
 

Youth Movement ... The defensive line historically shoulders quite the load at USC, and expectations remain sky-high for the 2009 season.

These expectations, however, seemed uncertain just months ago. The solution to this equation, the arrival of four highly regarded freshmen defensive linemen, who seem on track to occupy the holes left by those before them.

One look at this USC roster and it is easy to see how some players get lost in the shuffle, although freshmen Armond Armstead, Jurrell Casey, Wes Horton and Malik Jackson have discovered a way to stand out in a crowded field.

“Well I think what you hear about these guys is absolutely right,” said defensive coordinator Nick Holt. “These are some really good football players and since day one picked up the defense.”

“They don’t make a lot of mistakes and you can tell they really love football.”

Armstead, a 6’5 290 lbs. defensive tackle, spent the majority of his youth terrorizing opponents on the hardwood.

It wasn’t long before his body had transformed from an undersized interior post player to one of the country’s most sought after prospects on the gridiron. read more

By their standards, the Trojans stumbled in conference play in the past two seasons, going 14-4 during that span. Still, USC will be in line for a seventh consecutive league title behind a dominating defense. But Pete Carroll's crews has dreams of winning more than just a Pac-10 Championship. Get inside for an in-depth look at the Trojans, who cap off our preseason countdown. [details]

Armstead's playing with plenty of motivation

Tackle Scouting Report

Armond Armstead: A Pleasant Grove Legend

Depth chart: Nose Tackle

ESPN High School Football

A growing number of high school student-athletes – including a handful in the Sacramento region – are making verbal commitments to colleges before their junior year.

It's a trend that would have been unthinkable 10 years ago.

One dramatic example of early pledges came last month when Lake Sherwood (in Southern California) eighth-grade basketball star Michael Avery said he would attend Kentucky, which offered him a scholarship.

Armstead with Pleasant Grove Principal Frank Lucia.

Left... Armond takes down a Chavez H.S. running back last season.

Since Armond is in his high schools first ever graduating class I don’t think the Faculty at his school, or his coaching staff, realize what a legacy Armstead has left behind at Pleasant Grove.

With a promising football career at USC ahead of him, and possibly the pros – we are talking USC football here, Armond was kind enough to answer a couple of questions for me. He remains a down to earth young man, who is about to enter a world that many of us can only dream about.

George's Potpourri 7/16 - New Faces for 2008...

I have friends who are football fans and live in the Sacramento area. It's an area mostly ignored by eastern recruiting analysts. Last year they correctly told me that we had stolen a gem in DT Christian Tupou. This year they are raving about DT Armond Armstead with phrases like, "best defensive tackle we've ever seen play in high school". Since they were right about Tupou their assessment of Armstead has great credibility with me. I can't wait to see Armond put on the pads and mix-it-up with our regulars. In the new roster, he is listed as 6-5, 290 and he won't turn 18 until next month. Against odds, he made #42 in the Rivals top 100 last year. I think that rating was the result of his performance at our '07 summer camp which earned him a scholarship and to say the least, was dominating.

1) What will you miss the most about high school ?

My team mates and the crowd.. having my parents around .. being close to family and friends ..

2) What was your favorite football game of the past season ?

Playing Jesuit H.S. .. It was the first time we beat them and it was at their home field. They are a powerhouse team in the area, so beating them was great!

3) What was your favorite basketball game of the season?

Again it was Jesuit and we beat them at our home court and for the first time. The student body went wild !

4) Which football team mates will you miss the most ( or left a lasting impression)?

Darron Powe-Reed, Kenny Umeh, and Deonte Williams are at the top of the list as well as other members of my team..

5) Which Basketball team mates will you miss the most (or left a lasting impression)?

Xavier Thames, Herby Lissade, and Brian Wells .. and other members of my team.

6) I’ve watched you play sports throughout your high school career. You were a two sport standout in high school, basketball and football, you chose to play football at the next level for USC. What will you miss the most about playing basketball? Dunking the basketball and of course all of the girls at the games. 7) What do you look forward to the most at USC ? Definitely playing football again. 8) You’ve made history at PGHS by being the first Blue Chip recruits of any sport, what message would you like to give those that may try to follow in your footsteps? They should work hard , don’t get a big head, have fun but don’t forget to work hard in school

Armond Armstead takes a picture after his High School graduation at Arco Arena with Deonte Williams, one of California’s Superstar High School Running backs, and team mom Ebony Watkins.

9) Is there anything you’d like to add .. or any special message you’d like to give our readers ?

God and family come first …

10) A lot of your fans at USC are wondering if you’re going to play basketball at USC ?

Maybe …

11) A lot of Athlete’s say they play for the “Love of the Game” .. What does that mean to you ?

Football – how fun it is .. playing hard to honor legends of the past …


As Armond Armstead closes the High School portion of his career and moves on to college, one can only wonder what type of brush stroke he will lay on that blank canvass. His high school career can be compared to as a master piece, every move on the field a brush stroke of perfection. If his high school career is any indication of things to come, then his time at USC, and beyond, will be a work of art for all to enjoy.

Good Luck at USC Mr. Armstead, you’ve earned it.

Bigger and Better

His story’s got some different twists and turns. There’s the part about being underrated and unknown. There’s the part of being discovered. There’s some tragedy, and there’s some triumph. And, this isn’t a story that’s got an ending coming any time soon — at least not if Armond Armstead has his say. Go inside for more. [details]

USC Trojans Football: Spring Preview

March 25th will mark the Trojans first spring practice and although expectations are high for Pete Carroll's squad, many questions loom.

Pac-10 Signing Day dream team

The Pac-10 Signing Day Dream Team is strong on defense, led by USC's stout defensive class of guys like Armond Armstead, Wes Horton and T.J. Bryant and other defenders like Oregon State-bound Simi Kuli, the nation's top...

Southern Cal Inside Slant

DT Armond Armstead, Elk Grove, Calif. -- Already has good size for an interior lineman (6-5, 290), and he had 88 tackles, including 11 sacks, as a senior in high school. Pete Carroll said he and his coaching staff were impressed with Armstead's intensity when he attended USC's summer camps.

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