September 2017 (1) Candygrams

Saturday, September 2, 2017---USC vs. Western Michigan Football Game

Trojan Candy waited at Gate 6 to enter the Coliseum at 12:15 pm. I entered the tunnel and walked all the way down the stairs to the field with my field pass. Unfortunately, most of the USC Football Team had already entered the tunnel. I was lucky to snap this picture of the last group of USC players.

However, there would be plenty of pre-game pictures and videos to take on the field before the 2:15 pm kick-off of our game against Western Michigan.

It was tremendously hot on the field. The temperature was 100+.

Then, I saw some of his teammates warming up. It was unbearably hot on the Coliseum turf.

I saw a familiar face. Freshman Brett Neilon posed for me.

The east end of the Coliseum looks different. The scoreboard to the left of the torch has been removed, and the east end is now flanked by two big screens.

A new friend asked me to take a picture of him with his cellphone. Trojan Candy always shakes the cell phone when I take a picture. So I told Josh Nacion that I would take his picture and put him on my blog. Josh works for USC Athletics as a Digital Content Coordinator. Fight on Josh!

Next, Trojan Candy saw an "old" friend. Bill Beasley, who has worked at the Coliseum, the Galen Center, Dedeaux Field, and the Loker Track Stadium, gave me a big hug and then was back at work.

To my surprise, I saw another "old" friend walking towards me. USC Football alumnus Tony Burnett (9/9/2010) gave me a hug and smiled for this picture. Tony used to stop by the Heritage Hall desk when my husband and I were volunteering. He has played in the Canadian Football League for five years. Yes, he is holding a pink umbrella.

Another friend came down on the field with me. Genaro Carapia stood at the entrance of the tunnel, and then, just like me, he walked around taking pictures.

Two more USC players walked down the tunnel on to the field.

The Defensive Backs warmed up.

By now, the entire USC Team was warming up on the field.

The pre-game program began. Trojan Candy was able to catch the Flying Tigers fly over during the Star Spangled Banner.

Traveler galloped out of the tunnel so quickly!

Next, the Team Captains walked out of the tunnel.

The Captains were followed by the entire team. USC Football Alumnus Ron Yary led the team out of the tunnel.

It was time for Trojan Candy to leave the field now. As I walked up the Coliseum steps, I saw three friends. Richard, Marciano, and Rebecca Flores.

Trojan Candy captured my friend, Reid Budrovich (8/22/2015), kicking his first punt as a USC starter.

The Spirit of Troy put on a halftime show that commemorated our mascot Traveler.

Spirit of Troy

Spirit of Troy forms Traveler.

The Spirit of Troy played the William Tell overture. FIGHT ON, Traveler!

The most memorable play in the game was when long snapper Jake Olson (2/4/2015) hiked the football for the extra point.

After his successful snap, he was congratulated by opposing players and teammates and put on the big screen. FIGHT ON, Jake!

The final score was shown on the big screen.

FIGHT ON, USC Football!