By U.S. Southern Command Strategic Planning Division (J5) November 16, 2020 On the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), August 1, 2017, China opened its first overseas naval base in the eastern African country of Djibouti. Questions regarding China’s future intentions quickly ensued: Would China open another such facility? If so, where and how soon? Though interest in China’s global military ambitions grew, answers were not forthcoming. When asked about plans to establish additional naval bases or operate beyond China’s own borders, Chinese government officials, officers in the PLA, and China’s think tank scholars routinely demurred. Analysts were left to monitor for any signs of China’s future intentions. Global security affairs observers could only speculate about China’s next steps.Yet in the short time that followed, much has changed: China’s strategists now openly express a desire for access and presence. They discuss options, debate the merits of various approaches, and stress that overseas locations will inevitably be necessary to secure their country’s ever expanding interests. So, if Chinese analysts and military planners are now discussing China’s global approach to access and posture more openly, what are they saying? What criteria guide their thinking? What types of facilities are being considered? Are they focused on a specific part of the globe? An emerging body of research by Western scholars of Chinese military affairs leverages Chinese military and academic writings to provide insight into Chinese thinking on several of these questions.Alternative forms of accessThe data seems to suggest that the dedicated military facility China opened in Djibouti may not be representative of China’s approach to access and posture moving forward. Recent research by Dr. Isaac Kardon, Conor Kennedy, and Dr. Peter Dutton of the U.S. Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute suggests that China’s military and civilian planners are less focused on the pursuit of an extensive network of overt military facilities, and more on alternative forms of access.Kardon and his colleagues suggest that a consensus is emerging among China’s community of strategic thinkers that the best path to global military access is one that emphasizes flexibility and leverages the presence that Chinese enterprises have established at commercial ports worldwide to provide the logistical support necessary to enable distant naval operations. In short, while China’s planners have studied the U.S. model of permanent, forward-deployed military bases that enable global power projection, at present they don’t seem bent on recreating it. Rather, the literature suggests a network of access points, or “overseas strategic support points” that will enable a more limited set of operational activities: securing key maritime chokepoints and sea lines of communication, escorting civilian shipping, protecting maritime rights, as well as conducting counterpiracy operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and perhaps limited maritime interdiction operations.In addition to discussing the value that commercial, or dual-use “support points” will have in China’s approach to developing military access and posture moving forward, Chinese planners also debate the criteria for selecting such locations. In testimony before the 2020 and 2019 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Kardon noted that Chinese analysts seek access in many of the same locations that their counterparts in other navies would. China’s analysts appear to favor locations that are near strategic chokepoints or areas where crises tend to erupt, offer favorable environmental conditions for the berthing of ships, are easy to defend, and are located in well-governed states that are positively inclined toward Beijing.Leveraging portsIn this photo taken March 13, 2018, the sun sets in the port of Djibouti. The tiny nation on the Horn of Africa, Djibouti, with less than 1 million inhabitants, has become a military outpost for China, France, Italy, and Japan, being the first overseas Chinese base since World War II. (Photo: Associated Press)Kardon, however, notes an additional consideration, one that is particular to China’s approach and that raises questions regarding the future trajectory of China’s efforts to establish access: Chinese planners appear focused on leveraging the growing number of ports that are owned or operated by Chinese state-directed firms. According to Kardon, this preference builds on the PLA Navy’s operational experience to date (its counterpiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden have, to a great extent, been supported by commercial husbanding agreements), and leverages China’s status as a global leader in the construction and operation of commercial port facilities worldwide.By Kardon’s count, Chinese state-directed enterprises own or operate at least one terminal in 59 ports across the globe, and have interests in 18 port projects in the Western Hemisphere alone, several of which are located near key geostrategic chokepoints such as the Panama Canal. To the extent that Chinese firms exercise control over the operations of such ports, they would enjoy significant leeway to grant access to naval vessels, arrange for the prepositioning and storage of supplies, and facilitate the maintenance and transshipment of goods and personnel to enable forward deployed ships to operate for extended periods of time, and at a distance from their homeland.To be sure, some countries would decline allowing such activities, but Kardon rightly notes that such arrangements would likely be feasible if China’s military were seen to be conducting legitimate or justifiable military operations or that address the host nation’s security concerns. Additionally, such access would likely be possible in nations where low degrees of transparency are the norm with respect to contracting and government oversight, or in countries where China possesses a significant amount of leverage due to its trade, investment, and lending relationship with the nation hosting a given port.A series of concentric zonesChina’s presence at commercial ports across the globe gives China’s leadership broad options for developing such access, but Western experts of Chinese security affairs suggest China’s priority, for now, remains where one would expect: in the vicinity of the homeland. In testimony to the 2020 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, U.S. Navy Admiral (ret.) Dennis C. Blair, former U.S. director of National Intelligence and commander of U.S. Pacific Command, noted that Chinese strategic thinkers see the world as a series of concentric zones. The first, and most important, begins with China itself, and consists of the areas to the immediate north, south, east, and west of the country, to include China’s eastern and southern maritime periphery. As Adm. Blair noted, China’s immediate periphery absorbs a majority of the country’s planning, programming, exercising, and budgeting. Until the status of Taiwan is resolved, this is unlikely to change.However, the next most important region for China’s strategic thinkers, where China’s overseas interests begin in earnest, is central and south Asia, from the Middle East through the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia. This zone is home to the chokepoints through which much of China’s energy imports flow, to include the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Suez Canal. The region is host to the PLA’s highest-profile series of overseas operations, the counterpiracy and escort operations the PLA Navy has been conducting under the auspices of the United Nations since 2008, and thus, unsurprisingly, is the geographic area of greatest focus in discussions of potential additional access and posture locations. While the establishment of a “support facility” in Djibouti alleviated some of the PLA Navy’s concerns over China’s ability to support continued operations in the area, China’s military planners appear to believe that additional access locations will be necessary to secure both the eastern and western end of the route that China refers to as its “maritime lifeline.”Though leaders in Beijing may want better options when seeking to protect China’s global interests, and China’s planners consider a variety of ways China might establish access and posture to provide those options, it is not a foregone conclusion that China’s attempts to enhance its global military posture will succeed. There are several factors that may impede Beijing’s attempt to develop a network of facilities capable of enabling sustained or even periodic military operations outside the Asia-Pacific.Chief among these are the views of nations worldwide regarding the presence of the Chinese military on their soil, in their periphery, or adjacent to strategically significant maritime chokepoints. At present, with the exception of North Korea, with whom China maintains a treaty of “Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance,” China has no military alliances that could quickly or easily support the establishment of a military-use or even dual-use PLA facility on foreign soil. While experts, such as Kardon, have pointed out that there exists language that provides for the status of forces among members of the Beijing-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization and agreements that facilitate presence to support exercises with the Russian military, Djibouti aside, no such arrangements exist that would facilitate the permanent presence of PLA soldiers on foreign soil.Chinese boots on foreign soilObservers note that China could identify a willing partner and initiate discussions, but the list of countries worldwide that would be amenable to such at present is short. Nations generally take a dim view of requests to host foreign military forces on their soil, agreeing to do so only when they deem it to be in their interests or otherwise feel compelled to oblige. Countries that have historical experience with colonization or foreign occupation view the idea even more critically. Given the current level of concern in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and India regarding Beijing’s intentions, nations willing to entertain the prospect of Chinese boots on their soil would have to be willing to face the resulting political, diplomatic, and economic repercussions that might result from such a choice.Without a doubt, some countries would consider doing so, especially those that are currently isolated from and disenchanted with the Western-led liberal international order. However, should China announce the opening of yet another foreign military base or dual-use access point, the world’s major powers would likely feel compelled to respond. While geopolitical decisions are not always the function of a logical cost-benefits analysis, it stands to reason that leaders worldwide would proceed cautiously when considering moves that might trigger a response from the world’s most powerful militaries and the leaders of nations that still largely dictate the conduct of global political and economic affairs. Would such a decision, on the whole, benefit or harm the country that agreed to provide the PLA with access equivalent to a forward deployed naval base?While China, at present, is more likely to pursue such access on a rotational basis and via commercial arrangements in locations where Chinese state-directed companies maintain an established presence, even that route comes with significant financial and reputational costs. Overt attempts to militarize commercial facilities, should they impact operations or the flow of goods and services, could jeopardize the existing commercial interests of the nation hosting the facility and the others that use it.Such attempts would also impose a broad reputational cost on China and the Chinese companies that have spent the better part of three decades establishing a presence in commercial ports and logistics enterprises around the world. For decades, China’s leaders have consistently pledged that their interests are solely commercial in nature. Actions that demonstrate otherwise could damage Beijing’s credibility beyond repair, and put China’s access to commercial ports across the globe at risk. When faced with a global contingency, officials in Beijing might find such an opportunity cost acceptable. It is hard to believe they would do so, short of facing scenarios that would put China’s core national interests at risk.It is clear from China’s military and academic writings that the views of China’s planners and strategists have evolved. The fact that Chinese security analysts are openly discussing China’s need for access and posture is in itself evidence of this, and is a relatively new development in Chinese security affairs. If history is any guide, the views of China’s strategic thinkers will continue to adapt as China’s interests expand, the expeditionary capabilities of its Navy and Marine Corps grow, and the international security environment shifts in response to these developments. If the views of China’s planners are any guide, the world would do well to watch and keep an open mind as to how China will arrange for its next posture location: China opened its base in Djibouti with a press release, a flag-raising ceremony, and the deployment of ships and several hundred service members to mark the occasion. Next time around, it is unlikely Beijing will be so obvious. read more
November 15, 2003 Regular News It passed in the Senate but died in the House earlier this year, so Sen. Skip Campbell has again introduced a bill to provide law school loan repayment assistance to assistant state attorneys, assistant public defenders, and trial court staff attorneys.Campbell, D-Tamarac, also filed a bill to designate special or general masters as general or special magistrates.“The loan forgiveness bill will pass if there is money in the budget,” Campbell said of SB 250. “I spoke to [House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep.] Bruce Kyle [R-Ft. Myers] and he said he would let the bill through if there is money. So the question is: Will there be any money?”The bill provides that after three years of service, the staff attorney, prosecutor, or public defender becomes eligible to have up to $3,000 a year of their law school loans repaid by the state. After six years, the amount increases to $5,000. After 12 years or when the loan is repaid, whichever comes first, the payments end.SB 192 provides that general and special masters will be known as general and special magistrates. Campbell said the intent of the legislation is to recognize the role those officials play in the judicial system, and that they do have adjudicatory authority. Campbell files loan repayment bill Campbell files loan repayment bill read more
BRITT, Iowa (June 16) – Alec Fett raced to a career highlight win Tuesday night, getting the best of Brian Osantowski at Hancock County Speedway’s MaxYield Seed SportMod Nationals. By Chad Meyer Osantowski had opted to not run the dash to save his car, forcing him to start 10th in the main, but by mid-point of the feature was challenging Alec Fett. They raced several times side by side in the second half of the event with Fett narrowly maintaining his advantage at the stripe. Fett had won the first heat and finished second in the dash, which put him in the preferred outside line of row for the initial start of the main event. Alec led by narrow margin with Colby on the low line. The $2,500 Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod victory came in a nailbiter as Fett had to race his way back to the front and outrun Osantowski and his brother Colby to the stripe. Defending race winner Johnathon Logue and Jared Boumeester rounded out the top five. George Nordman earned hard charger honors after coming out of his last-chance qualifier, starting 27th and finishing 11th. Feature results – 1. Alec Fett; 2. Brian Osantowski; 3. Colby Fett; 4. Johnathon Logue; 5. Jared Boumeester; 6. Nate Whitehurst; 7. Cam Reimers; 8. Rich Pavlicek; 9. Darren Medler; 10. Blaine Webster; 11. George Nordman; 12. Nate Albrant; 13. Kevin Goben; 14. Mathew Hanson; 15. Charlie Stevens; 16. Carter VanDenBerg; 17. Carter Shumski; 18. Bill Wegner; 19. Autumn Anderson; 20. Robb Nutt; 21. Summer Anderson; 22. Jamie Anderson; 23. Nate Chodur; 24. Christian Sylvester; 25. Jeff Carter; 26. Maguire DeJong; 27. Josh Appel; 28. Robert Moore; 29. Joshua Moulton; 30. Cole Ignaszewski. Alec Fett earned $2,500 for his Tuesday night MaxYield Seed SportMod Nationals feature win at Hancock County Speedway. (Photo by Chad Meyer) Fett nearly went off track as Osantowski got by to lead a couple laps, but a nifty cross over move by Fett put him out front for the rest of the way. read more
Versailles, IN—Ripley County has implemented CodeRED, a high-speed emergency mass notification service.The CodeRED system will serve as the backbone of the county’s emergency planning and communications outreach to both citizens and businesses. The system sends telephone calls, text messages, emails, and posts to social media to inform residents to better protect life and property. “CodeRED’s notification system will provide Ripley County officials with a reliable, easy-to-use interface to quickly deliver critical information to our citizens during emergencies. Ripley County Emergency Management Agency and Ripley County Communications Center have been working on this project and are eager to use this innovative technology to enhance our emergency preparedness plans,” said EMA Director Randy Miller.For weather emergencies, once the National Weather Service issues a warning it will automatically be sent through the CodeRED system. In addition to weather emergencies, we anticipate using the system to notify residents of missing persons, criminal activity, boil water advisory, and other various threats to people, property, or the environment.All residents living or working within the county limits are encouraged to visit the county website (click here) and click on the CodeRED logo to enroll contact information including home and cell phone numbers, and email addresses. Once enrolled subscribers can opt in to what emergencies they want to receive. There is also a CodeRED mobile app that is available for free download that can be used in conjunction with the online version that will use GPS location for alerts. No one should automatically assume they are in the emergency contact database.For more information contact Ripley County Emergency Management Agency at 812-689-0505 or by email to ema@ripleycounty.com. read more
Press Association Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is keen to get back into action after revealing his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery is going well. The England midfielder was ruled out of the final two matches of the season after a decision was made to send him for an operation to correct a long-term problem with his left shoulder. But the 33-year-old is coming to the end of a six-week rehabilitation period and is already looking ahead to pre-season training. “It’s going well and feeling strong,” he told LFC TV. “I’m six weeks down the line with the rehabilitation from surgery. I’m not too far away, maybe a couple of weeks away from contact and being back in full training if everything goes well. I’m looking forward to it. “It’s probably the longest break I’ve had at this time of year – being out of the game for six weeks is enough, I’m itching to get back.” While Gerrard has been doing his rehabilitation manager Brendan Rodgers has been busy progressing his summer recruitment drive with goalkeeper Simon Mignolet’s capture on Tuesday the fourth post-season signing. The Reds retain an interest in Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan but it is a complicated deal and his club Shakhtar Donetsk appear keen to create an auction for the midfielder, who did not report for the club’s pre-season training camp. Reports in Ukraine claim chief executive Sergei Palkin has rejected a bid approaching £20million from Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund. Palkin has suggested an offer of closer to £25million – all in one up-front payment – would secure a deal but he has said that only applies for the next 10 days. Social media was awash with rumours Mkhitaryn had checked into a London hotel in an attempt to advance negotiations but Press Association Sport understands Reds’ chief executive Ian Ayre has been at his office in Liverpool all day and there is not likely to be swift progress on any deal. read more
– tournament increased to six teams COEMA Construction Company, based in Region 9, has thrown its hat in to support the second edition of the KFC Goodwill Football tournament being organised by the Petra organisation. The company, which recently completed the main access road in Lethem, joined forces with the football organisers to facilitate the introduction of a second hinterland team in the tournament.Speaking to the media, Dereck Melville Jekir, the operations manager for the company here, stated that, “Our Company is very happy to receive this invitation from the Petra Organization to sponsor the KFC tournament. One of our mottos is that we look forward to being able to develop the community and sport.”Co-director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, who was also at the event, said, “We welcome COEMA Inc into the football arena and more so their contribution towards the KFC goodwill series.” “A tournament like this will definitely enhance their profiles and their daily lives,” he added.Operating for just over two years in Guyana, COEMA Construction Company has its mother office in the Roraima State of Boa Vista, Brazil.The parent company has been in operation for over a decade.The 2019 edition of the tournament will now feature six teams, up from the four that participated in the inaugural edition last year.It will feature the winners and runners-up of the current TradeWindTankers/GUYOIL schools Football League as well as two hinterland teams in Annai and Waramadong.French Guiana side, USL Montjoly, along with the returning Shiva Boys Hindu College from Trinidad, will also be a part of the five- day tournament.The teams will be drawn into two groups of three, with each side playing the other twice before moving onto the semi-final and final.The tournament commences on December 12 with the final set for December 22. read more
(BBC) – Lyon survived a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired comeback from Juventus to hang on and book a Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.Leading 1-0 from February’s first leg, the French side were handed a soft early penalty which Memphis Depay converted in style.That left Juve needing to score three times to progress and Ronaldo got one back from the penalty spot.He then thundered in his 130th Champions League goal but Lyon held on.Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri may have guided his side to a ninth straight Serie A title but they were lethargic throughout and his position could be under threat.Juve have not won the Champions League since 1996 and the wait goes on at least another year.UNINSPIRING OLD LADYTo question Sarri after one year in charge may seem harsh, but the reality is that in Turin – as in Paris and in Munich – winning the league is the minimum requirement.Ending that now 25-year drought in the Champions League is the goal and were it not for Ronaldo, Juve offered next to nothing as an attacking force.Six of Sarri’s starting XI are in their 30s and they were painfully slow in approach at times, showing why they had only actually won two of their last eight games in Serie A.Where there is the remarkable Ronaldo there is hope, and his second on the night was a superb, swerving left-footed shot from range that gave hope of another tilt at the business end of the competition.But when Ronaldo headed a corner over the top, that hope was extinguished.Ronaldo could yet win the trophy with a third team, joining Clarence Seedorf in an exclusive club, but time is running out for the 35-year-old, as it may be now for Sarri, too.LYON LOCK IT OUTLyon were only seventh in the French top flight when the season was cancelled in April and this was just their second game back.They held Paris St-Germain to a 0-0 draw in the French League Cup final last Friday night – losing on penalties – and were equally resolute in Turin.Referee Felix Zwayer helped them out with a gift of a penalty as Houssem Aouar went down after a drive into the area, with Rodrigo Bentancur clearly winning the ball.Depay converted with a fine Panenka chip, and Lyon always looked likely to see the tie out even after Ronaldo’s double.Depay was harshly adjudged to have handled while blocking a free-kick in the wall to give Juve a way back in and it would have been easy to cave.But Aouar, Bruno Guimaraes and Maxence Caqueret all excelled in midfield as Lyon booked a one-off tie against City in Lisbon next Saturday night. read more
Over 750,000 people flooded the streets of L.A. Saturday morning, making their way from Pershing Square to City Hall and back again, chanting, “Our body our choice,” “Love trumps hate” and “This is what democracy looks like.” The march, which took place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., was one of many women’s march protests organized around the world in solidarity with the one taking place in Washington, D.C.The website for the march stated the goal of standing “together in solidarity … for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health and our families — recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.”The event, which began as a grassroots movement and eventually grew to a massive scale, was bolstered by the appearance of high-profile attendees. Politicians, such as Mayor Eric Garcetti and Congresswoman Judy Chu, and performers, such as Barbra Streisand, Miley Cyrus and Natalie Portman, spoke about the importance of remaining aware of and involved with the political process.“Today we speak out,” Garcetti said. “But tomorrow, we act out.” Trains and buses to the event were filled as people crowded together on their way to the march, and many were unable to take public transportation as planned. Uber pricing surged to accommodate the demand. “We couldn’t get the Metro there because we kept waiting for trains to come by, and every single one was packed to the doors,” said Annamaria Sauer, a freshman majoring in English. “The station was just filled with people from the march and as we were all waiting there everyone was still chanting.”The crowd sported pink cat ear hats and bore aloft posters and banners painted with slogans. Protesters had been preparing for days in anticipation of the march.“I made a sign ‘Men can be feminists too’ for two hours,” said Joseph Harlan, a junior majoring in theater. “Then I spent the whole of Friday watching political comedy videos and getting worked up watching the inauguration.” Despite its moniker, the march welcomed anyone willing to participate was welcome to participate in the march. The crowd’s demographic was greatly varied; protesters ranged in age, ethnicity and gender. Representation was especially high from college students all over California, including USC.“I attended because the issues that we marched for — healthcare, respect, equality — are things that affect me and the women in my life daily, and I don’t want to stand by and watch my country lose progress,” said Kimberly Rogers, a junior majoring in broadcast and digital journalism. “It was a unifying march, and the number of people who turned out sends a message.”After experiencing the feeling of empowerment and solidarity from standing up for their beliefs, participants discovered within themselves a newfound passion for activism.“I want to go to all the future rallies,” Harlan said. “There’s one for Medicare and Medicaid. I want to go to Earth Day and other environmental rallies. Anything and everything. This march lit a fire in me.” read more
Defense wins championships.This phrase may be cliché, but in the sports world, a solid defense almost seems like an afterthought — after all, you do need goals in soccer, runs in baseball or points in football to emerge victorious.At USC, a star-studded offense overshadows a Trojan defense that has not been given enough credit for its play this season.Taking flight · Sophomore linebacker Chris Galippo celebrates after the Trojans defense held off Notre Dame’s last-minute rally. Galippo anchors a defense that ranks fifth nationally, letting up only 11.7 points per game. – Dieuwertje Kast | Daily Trojan The surplus of running backs at USC is always mentioned. True freshman quarterback Matt Barkley grabbed headlines after he was named the starter at the beginning of the season. Junior running back Joe McKnight and junior wide receiver Damian Williams are praised for their spectacular playmaking ability.But what happened to the Trojans’ defense?Other than senior safety Taylor Mays, this defense is largely unrecognized and perhaps underappreciated for its work so far this season.After losing eight key players last year, it’s understandable to think that this would be a rebuilding year for the defense. But at USC, the plethora of talent is neverending.Concerns over who would step in and fill those voids were raised prior to the start of the season. But the solid play of the new starters should put to rest any other doubts that may still be present.Sophomore linebacker Chris Galippo is one of those players who has stepped in and played a significant role for the defense.“He’s a terrific football player. He’s very bright and savvy and makes a lot of great decisions,” said USC coach Pete Carroll.Galippo is the leading tackler for a team that is surrendering only 11.7 points per game, which ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense.In addition to keeping opponents out of the end zone, the Trojans are holding opposing offenses to just 260 yards per game, which ranks ninth nationally in total defense. They are also only allowing 67.7 rushing yards, which ranks fourth nationally.“These guys took the challenge that they wouldn’t allow this defense to take a step backwards because of the guys leaving,” Carroll said.The backbone of last year’s defense was the core of linebackers that included Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and Kaluka Maiava. All four players moved onto the NFL and were arguably the best group of linebackers in college football history.Last year, they anchored a defense that only allowed nine points per game, 221.7 yards per game and 87.4 rushing yards per game.This year’s defense has held its own through the first six games of the season.“They’ve played great football. They’ve played the run really well, taken care of the deep balls and the passing game is really difficult on our opponents,” Carroll said.Prior to the contest versus Notre Dame last weekend, the USC defense had not allowed a touchdown through the air.Galippo is healthy for the first time in his USC career. The former standout from Servite High School only played three games his freshman year because of to a herniated disc that required season-ending back surgery. In 2008, Galippo underwent another back surgery prior to the football season, but he served as the backup middle linebacker that season.After undergoing two back surgeries, Galippo reflects on his time off from playing football.“It made me work harder … and sitting behind guys like Rey, Cushing and guys like that, I learned a lot,” he said.Now, he is getting an opportunity to showcase his abilities.In the second game of the season versus then-No. 8 Ohio State, Galippo intercepted a pass thrown by quarterback Terrelle Pryor and returned it to the two-yard line. The interception set up the first touchdown of the game for the Trojans and the score proved critical in a game in which both offenses were stymied.Meanwhile, it was the defense that would not budge and held Ohio State to three-and-outs. It was the defense that would not let Ohio State steal a victory. This defense was solid throughout the entire game and gave the offense a chance to win at the end.Against Cal, the USC defense held Heisman-hopeful running back, junior running back Jahvid Best, to just 47 rushing yards on 14 carries. Not too bad considering Best was averaging almost seven yards per carry prior to the contest.Even when the Trojans’ defense is not at its best, its resiliency and determination shine through.This past weekend at Notre Dame was a huge test for the defense as it tried to slow down Heisman-candidate junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen and the electrifying junior wide receiver, Golden Tate.Through the first three quarters, the Trojans continually pressured Clausen and shut down the Fighting Irish’s running game.In the final quarter, Notre Dame cut the lead to a single touchdown. With nine seconds to play and the Fighting Irish at the USC four-yard line, the Trojans’ defense held strong in a goal line stand.“We are much better this year than we were last year,” Mays said.Now that Galippo is finally healthy, his contributions and stellar play have provided stability for the defensive unit. Playing for one of the top football programs in the nation, he said, “is something [he] always dreamed of” and it is no surprise that he is fulfilling, and perhaps exceeding, the expectations that heralded him a five-star recruit out of high school.“He’s done a tremendous job and [the coaching staff] is pleased with the way he’s been developing,” said USC defensive coordinator Rocky Seto.With Galippo in the middle anchoring the linebackers and Mays providing an experienced, imposing presence in the secondary, can the Trojans’ defense play any better?“We’re still trying to get better and we’re still trying to improve,” Seto said.So far, the defense has been nothing but rock solid. read more
Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Christian Rector (right) is set to come back from a hand injury in Colorado this week. Photo by Austin Paik | Daily TrojanThe football team is coming off a 49-35 victory over Arizona last week that put USC in the driver’s seat for the Pac-12 South. The Trojans took to the practice field Wednesday preparing for their final road game of the season against Colorado in Boulder.Eyes on ColoradoThe focus of Wednesday’s practice was on rushing the passer. Head coach Clay Helton cited pressure as a key part of the Trojans’ victory over the Buffaloes last year, and he said it would be the same in this matchup against returning quarterback Steven Montez.“Watching tape, when [Montez] is able to sit back in the pocket, he’s deadly,” Helton said. “They’re averaging 260 yards passing per game, and when it’s a nice day for him, he has all the arm strength in the world to deliver the ball wherever he wants to.”The Buffalo offense is led by Montez and running back Phillip Lindsay. Lindsay has run for 1,334 yards and 12 touchdowns on 5.1 yards per attempt. Montez has thrown for 2,404 yards and 16 touchdowns this season on 62.3 completion percentage and eight yards per attempt. The Buffaloes spread the ball evenly through the air as well, as three different receivers have at least 38 catches for 468 yards.“We’ve got to make sure we stop the run and get off on third downs,” redshirt sophomore linebacker John Houston Jr. said when asked about the keys to the game against Colorado. “Trying to get turnovers [and] sacks — anything possible. He’s a good quarterback, so we have to stop him for sure.”On the other side of the ball, the offense prepared for Colorado’s third-down blitz packages.“We’re just trying to keep [the ball] away from an offense that’s averaging over 400 yards per game right now,” Helton said. Colorado is vulnerable on defense: The Buffaloes rank 103rd in the country with 439 total yards allowed per game. Last week, they allowed 583 yards and 41 points to Arizona State, which the Trojans held to 357 yards and 17 points the week before.Motivated BuffaloesThough Colorado has disappointed this season, sitting at the bottom of the Pac-12 South, Helton made it clear that it is not to be taken lightly.“It’s senior day there — a blackout game — and they’re fighting for bowl eligibility,” Helton said. “I bet you they’d love to do it against the Trojans. We’re going to get their best effort.”Helton also believes Colorado’s record is misleading.“If you go back and really study who they are, you’re talking about heartbreaking losses versus Arizona and UCLA,” Helton said. “They’re ahead for 48 minutes against Arizona State. They’re playing really good football, and they could be coming in here with eight victories if it weren’t for four or five plays per game. They’ve just played really tight games in this Pac-12.”Injury UpdateHelton said that there were no changes from the previous day’s injury report but did note that he was hoping to get a few players back and would be cleared by tomorrow.“We’ll see where [senior linebacker] Uchenna [Nwosu] is tomorrow,” Helton said. “I know his ankle is feeling a lot better.”Nwosu was held out of practice Wednesday due to an injury.In addition, Helton was happy with freshman tight end Josh Falo’s practice. Falo returned to the field Tuesday for the first time since going down with a foot injury last month, and Helton said his return could help the team this coming week.Helton also said redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Christian Rector was moving extremely well Wednesday. Helton said that Rector was listed as “day-to-day” and could possibly play this week. Rector has been out since injuring his hand in practice on Oct. 25. read more