Random observations

I always get a kick out of the factoids in Jerry Crowe's columns:

Eight fans seated in a group of nine behind the USC bench Saturday at the Coliseum painted their chests to spell out P-L-A-Y-O-F-F-S, but why did the ninth brand himself with a question mark rather than an exclamation point? . . .

Vomiting through his facemask Saturday probably was not linebacker Rey Maualuga's way of expressing his opinion about the USC offense. . . .

Or was it? . . .

Only once before this season had the usually high-powered Trojans won a game during the Pete Carroll era while scoring 17 points or fewer. . . .

This year, Mark Sanchez & Co. have done it twice. . . .

Speaking of random observations, visitors to USC's Heritage Hall will sometimes notice that trophies inside the display cases have been knocked over. It tends to happen during the team's Jock Rally, which can get pretty rowdy.

Also, did anybody else hear Cal fans chanting "Yes we can!" after Joe McKnight fumbled late in Saturday's game? USC fans responded with a half-hearted "Hurry up and lose!"

-- Adam Rose