Online Now 664

Fighton247 Board

The home for discussion on USC athletics

On this Board 329
Record: 3523 (11/24/2012)

Online now 651
Record: 4850 (6/6/2012)

Boards ▾

Fighton247 Board

The home for discussion on USC athletics

Off Topic Board

FightOn247 message board for off topic posts

Trojan News on the Net

Latest USC headlines from around the net

Reply

USC Student Manager Deflated Game Balls

  • USCtrojan1

    Im an ND alum, not Oregon.

    4th and long

    Unnecessary to curse, it belittles the speaker. Surely you have a better vocabulary than that.

    Well, I have said enough in here and will bid farewell for now. I feel bad for you guys that are proud alums. And FYI, to this day I have thought Pat Haden was the best announcer for the ND games in the 80s and 90s. And an ardently upstanding and honest guy. I wish him and you others like this th ebest in sorting this out.

    We're on opposing sides of the stadium, but doesnt mean I dont extend hands before or after the game to fans and players. Good luck to you all.

    signature image signature image signature image

    coachcft

  • coachcft said...

    Not sure where you are getting your information, but ESPN and Colin Cowherd(SC's biggest fan) are reporting rumors that Barkley in fact knew. And that the NCAA is in contact and questioning the ballboy.

    This close to season's end and graduation, Barkley will be virtually unaffected beyond his image. Kiffin however is now seeing this 5th drop of water turn into a picther which has filled the bucket. When the bucket overflows, his dismissal is imminent. Other fans dont want to see this because he stinks as a coach and want him on the sideline to offset that embarassment of riche level of talent. But his snake oil salesmanship is tiresome for competitive athletics.

    You lost me on rumors, ESPN & Colin ...

    I looked and I cannot find any rumors linking Matt to the ball deflation.

    Rumors not needed ... facts are required when discussing this matter.

    Use a link or STFU

    signature image

    USC Outsider ●

  • USC Outsider said...

    You lost me on rumors, ESPN & Colin ...

    I looked and I cannot find any rumors linking Matt to the ball deflation.

    Rumors not needed ... facts are required when discussing this matter.

    Use a link or STFU

    It was Brian Griese basically saying that the QB chooses all of the balls that will be used, and tosses out the ones that he doesn't like the night before a game.

    caliman

  • caliman said...

    It was Brian Griese basically saying that the QB chooses all of the balls that will be used, and tosses out the ones that he doesn't like the night before a game.

    At what point was the deflation done?

    The timeline I seem to have heard is during the game.

    If done before Matt chooses the balls and Matt chooses only the 5 balls in the hands of one ball boy during the game, again makes no sense. It would seem the 5 deflated balls Matt would choose would be distributed randomly between the two ball boys on opposite sidelines.

    Rumors have to stop and facts have to be used or untruths being spoken as truth can hurt people's reputation who have worked hard to do the right things.

    signature image

    USC Outsider ●

  • coachcft said...

    Not sure where you are getting your information, but ESPN and Colin Cowherd(SC's biggest fan) are reporting rumors that Barkley in fact knew. And that the NCAA is in contact and questioning the ballboy.

    This close to season's end and graduation, Barkley will be virtually unaffected beyond his image. Kiffin however is now seeing this 5th drop of water turn into a picther which has filled the bucket. When the bucket overflows, his dismissal is imminent. Other fans dont want to see this because he stinks as a coach and want him on the sideline to offset that embarassment of riche level of talent. But his snake oil salesmanship is tiresome for competitive athletics.

    You know who won't hear those rumors?

    Declan Sullivan and Elizabeth Seeburg.

    CLK's "bucket" maybe filled with a bunch of petty junk, but you won't find any bodies.

    sebadoh0128

  • sebadoh0128 said...

    You know who won't hear those rumors?

    Declan Sullivan and Elizabeth Seeburg.

    CLK's "bucket" maybe filled with a bunch of petty junk, but you won't find any bodies.

    Real classy. Thought USC fans were smarter that typical O$U fans.

    What is ND being investigated for? Link would be nice. This is the only one I found. ND high school
    http://www.sbnation.com/2012/9/29/3427928/notre-dame-prep-ncaa-investigation-massachusetts

    signature image signature image signature image

    2-time winner of the prestigious POTW award

    DMo

  • Duckit said...

    I don't understand, if the student manager did this intentionally in order to cheat, why would he only have deflated 5 out of 12 game balls? It doesn't make sense!

    Maybe this paragraph from the ESPN article will help us all understand:

    "The balls are then required to be left alone until the day of the game, when they are examined by the referees. Each team uses six game balls, which are stored on opposite sidelines during games."

    So the premise that he only deflated 5 balls out of 12 is false. He deflated five out of six. Presumably five for use on offense and left one alone to use in kicking situations.

    That pretty much solves the mystery as to whether he intended to cheat or not. Whether any players or coaches knew, we will probably never know.

    I stand corrected.

    It still doesn't change two important details when it comes to believing the conspiracy:

    1) The kid was stupid enough to willfully "cheat" in plain sight on the opposing team's sideline.

    2) Matt Barkley, at the very least, was a co-conspirator.

    On point 1, it still doesn't make sense. If he was going to deflate the balls there's absolutely no reason to do so in plain sight. If the intention was to cheat, I have to believe they would have made an effort to hide said cheating.

    On point 2, it is very simple. I refuse to believe that Matt Barkley instructed anyone to purposefully break the rules. Because the people saying that they don't buy the kid acting alone are right. If this was a conspiracy to deflate the balls for an unfair advantage then he would have been acting on orders. And those orders would have come from Matt, not Kiffin. And as I said, absent evidence to the contrary I refuse to make the assumption that Matt would break the rules in that way.

    I still believe that the simplist, most believable explanation is this - the student-managers work closely with the quarterback and know his preferences. This manager felt that the balls were overinflated. He let a little air out, too much. The refs were notified, they reinflated 3 of the 6 balls there and then, and then the other two at the half (which leads me to believe that the deflation was at a level that wasn't easily noticed by everyone who handled the footballs). An honest mistake, but the manager was fired because A) he should not have messed with the balls after they'd been cleared by the refs, for any reason, B) his mistake resulted in a reprimand and fine by the Pac-12.

    This post was edited by PenguinOfTroy89 on 11/9/2012 at 11:35 AM

    signature image

    PREP NOT HYPE Fight On and You'll Never Walk Alone

    PenguinOfTroy89

  • PenguinOfTroy89 said...

    I stand corrected.

    It still doesn't change two important details when it comes to believing the conspiracy:

    1) The kid was stupid enough to willfully "cheat" in plain sight on the opposing team's sideline.

    2) Matt Barkley, at the very least, was a co-conspirator.

    On point 1, it still doesn't make sense. If he was going to deflate the balls there's absolutely no reason to do so in plain sight. If the intention was to cheat, I have to believe they would have made an effort to hide said cheating.

    On point 2, it is very simple. I refuse to believe that Matt Barkley instructed anyone to purposefully break the rules. Because the people saying that they don't buy the kid acting alone are right. If this was a conspiracy to deflate the balls for an unfair advantage then he would have been acting on orders. And those orders would have come from Matt, not Kiffin. And as I said, absent evidence to the contrary I refuse to make the assumption that Matt would break the rules in that way.

    I still believe that the simplist, most believable explanation is this - the student-managers work closely with the quarterback and know his preferences. This manager felt that the balls were overinflated. He let a little air out, too much. The refs were notified, they reinflated 3 of the 6 balls there and then, and then the other two at the half (which leads me to believe that the deflation was at a level that wasn't easily noticed by everyone who handled the footballs). An honest mistake, but the manager was fired because A) he should not have messed with the balls after they'd been cleared by the refs, for any reason, B) his mistake resulted in a reprimand and fine by the Pac-12.

    Generally agree, but I would think the explanation for him being fired is he is somewhat of a victim of USC's need to appear to have total and complete institutional control. A sacrificial lamb who, even if he simply made a mistake and had no intent to cheat, gets disassociated from the football program because USC needs to show that violations of any rules will be swiftly and harshly punished by the school.

    This post was edited by SOTrojan on 11/9/2012 at 12:06 PM

    SOTrojan

  • USC Outsider said...

    You lost me on rumors, ESPN & Colin ...

    I looked and I cannot find any rumors linking Matt to the ball deflation.

    Rumors not needed ... facts are required when discussing this matter.

    Use a link or STFU

    Up vote for you sir!

    Fight On!

    Helen of Troy ●

  • SOTrojan said...

    Generally agree, but I would think the explanation for him being fired is he is somewhat of a victim of USC's need to appear to have total and complete institutional control. A sacrificial lamb who, even if he simply made a mistake and had no intent to cheat, gets disassociated from the football program because USC needs to show that violations of any rules will be swiftly and harshly punished by the school.

    Or it could be simply that he broke an NCAA rule..regardless of intent.

    I've had to fire good people who broke company rules, even though the intent was not to cause harm...but, rules are rules, and I'm sure he was made aware of those rules.

    Is winning and money more important than following the rules one AGREES to follow, by "employment" contract? Seriously?

    This post was edited by usctrojan1 on 11/9/2012 at 12:23 PM

    signature image

    "Here are provided seats of meditative joy, where shall rise again the destined reign of Troy." Virgil

    usctrojan1 ●

  • D-Mo said...

    Real classy. Thought USC fans were smarter that typical O$U fans.

    What is ND being investigated for? Link would be nice. This is the only one I found. ND high school http://www.sbnation.com/2012/9/29/3427928/notre-dame-prep-ncaa-investigation-massachusetts

    D..we're just sick and tired of people outside our fanbase...that have had their own issues, come here pointing fingers.

    I certainly didn't need that Domer (the one I thought was a float) coming here for the first time, simply to pontificate and judge the character of all Trojan fans/alums. Has he visited here before this?

    It says something very clearly to the character of a man who only makes an appearance for the first time, or only when things are bad, at the home of a fanbase to condemn and judge who is or is not a righteous individual.....

    signature image

    "Here are provided seats of meditative joy, where shall rise again the destined reign of Troy." Virgil

    usctrojan1 ●

  • SOTrojan said...

    What would Barkley or anyone at USC have known about? Does Griese even know that the issue was brought to the attention of the officials before the game and they put more air into some of the balls? Then put more air in the balance at half? If the refs put balls with less than the required PSI into play in the first half after being made aware of the issue (which they might not have done, I don't know for sure one way or the other), that is the refs' fault/negligence.

    agree with everything you said...to implicate Matty in this is just beyond the pale...it's getting out of control...

    This post was edited by Helen of Troy on 11/9/2012 at 1:07 PM

    Fight On!

    Helen of Troy ●

  • coachcft said...

    4th and long

    Unnecessary to curse,

    It's appropriate when you come over here and try to link Barkley with some sort of conspiracy to deflate the balls. You are a loser for even bringing those rumors over here......and i reiterate, f*ck off.

    4th and long ●

  • D-Mo said...

    Real classy. Thought USC fans were smarter that typical O$U fans.

    What is ND being investigated for? Link would be nice. This is the only one I found. ND high school http://www.sbnation.com/2012/9/29/3427928/notre-dame-prep-ncaa-investigation-massachusetts

    Truth hurts.

    This isn't about having class or not having class.

    This guy came over to moralize on CLK. He did so, knowing full well that BK has his own issues, serious issues, that involved deaths.

    Underinflated footballs, changing jerseys, lying about a vote in a poll, and kicking Thcotty out of practice.

    I'll take that any day of the week.

    sebadoh0128

  • Yet another scandal? Unbelievable............

    signature image signature image signature image

    USC is a powerful place that Lane Kiffin is ruining.

    usctrojanglory

  • Helen of Troy said...

    Brian Griese said that Barkley would have known about it...and with out saying it out right...implied that Barkley cheated on National TV...un-freaking-believable...how irresponsible and down right slanderous...I hope SC does something about this...this is getting out of control...

    What would Barkley or anyone at USC have known about? Does Griese even know that the issue was brought to the attention of the officials before the game and they put more air into some of the balls? Then put more air in the balance at half? If the refs put balls with less than the required PSI into play in the first half after being made aware of the issue (which they might not have done, I don't know for sure one way or the other), that is the refs' fault/negligence.

    SOTrojan

  • I believe at this point in the conversation, I would like to start the rumor that the Equipment Manager is Ray Guy's grandson. rumor

    An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile—hoping it will eat him last - Winston Churchill

    SC200SC

  • The problem with this whole thing is right or wrong Kiffin will be blamed. It does not matter. We and he have a microscope on both. I predict with all of negativity from fans and the press and the piling on that Kiffin will be fired. We are in sanctions and he is being held to a higher standard than most of the major programs is this country. People will probably get their wish at the end of sanctions. Too bad.

    Troybill ●

  • SC200SC said...

    I believe at this point in the conversation, I would like to start the rumor that the Equipment Manager is Ray Guy's grandson. rumor

    lol

    Fight On!

    Helen of Troy ●

  • coachcft said...

    Not sure where you are getting your information, but ESPN and Colin Cowherd(SC's biggest fan) are reporting rumors that Barkley in fact knew. And that the NCAA is in contact and questioning the ballboy.

    This close to season's end and graduation, Barkley will be virtually unaffected beyond his image. Kiffin however is now seeing this 5th drop of water turn into a picther which has filled the bucket. When the bucket overflows, his dismissal is imminent. Other fans dont want to see this because he stinks as a coach and want him on the sideline to offset that embarassment of riche level of talent. But his snake oil salesmanship is tiresome for competitive athletics.

    I'm getting my information from ESPN, like I wrote. Not parroting an unsourced rumor I picked up from Rockne's Roundtable like you, Koko.

    And you couldn't even do that correctly... Next time try digesting the details before rushing in to pop off. Bob Griese's hip-shot opinion doesn't equate to "Barkley in fact knew".

    brem22

  • SC200SC said...

    I believe at this point in the conversation, I would like to start the rumor that the Equipment Manager is Ray Guy's grandson. rumor

    For all of you youngins';

    "At the 1976 Pro Bowl, Ray Guy became the first punter to hit the Louisiana Superdome video screen. Officials raised the screen from 90 feet to 200 feet. The NFC team pulled the ball and had it tested for helium; it was filled with regular air."

    An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile—hoping it will eat him last - Winston Churchill

    SC200SC

  • They were just deflated balls. Everything else is nothing but allegations against CLK and MB. Everyone needs to get the f*ck over it. I can't wait for saturday, that way ESPN can be back riding Alabama's c*ck and forget about this story.

    signature image

    ALIENS!

    CorpseGrinder

  • I should have never posted this story. Stupid as hell and it brought out the whiners and trolls.

    DF1982 ●

  • TrojanMindSC said...

    Or a 3rd option.

    USC did it for the first time against Arizona and didn't get caught. They tried it again and this time the refs caught them.

    ...or a 4th option.

    USC has been doing it all season and the refs finally caught it.

    Or a 5th option.

    USC has been doing it for all of Barkleys 4 years, which accounts for his over 10,000 passing yds and over 100 td's.

    Doesn't explain one thing though, TrojanMindSC.

    How did Barks pass for 484 yards with fully inflated balls against Oregon if he's been working with underinflated balls all along?

    Once again, we're not required to abandon our common sense because we don't have all of the answers.

    The flip side to the equation about implying Kiffin is behind this in order to gain an advantage is to ask yourself "why he would put his kicker and punter at a disadvantage in order to allegedly give his QB an advantage"... Especially when the game against Oregon last season came down to a FG?

    After all, an underinflated ball doesn't travel as far once punted or kicked.

    This post was edited by brdcstr1 on 11/9/2012 at 3:55 PM

    brdcstr1

  • coachcft said...

    Not sure where you are getting your information, but ESPN and Colin Cowherd(SC's biggest fan) are reporting rumors that Barkley in fact knew. And that the NCAA is in contact and questioning the ballboy.

    There are rumors that you in fact had a tryst with gay sheep and PETA is investigating. Can you please address those rumors and prove to us that you did not have any involvement with those Gay sheep?

    brdcstr1

USC
247Sports
Features
Resources
Connect

247Sports In partnership with CBS Sports