A billboard not far from UCLA’s campus that featured USC quarterback Matt Barkley was covered over Tuesday.
The billboard is near the corner of Westwood Boulevard and Lindbrook Drive and features Barkley, a Heisman Trophy favorite, looking skyward alongside the words, “We play to finish” with the LA in “play” highlighted.
Tim Tessalone, USC athletic department spokesman, said Tuesday that covering the billboard “was not a USC decision.”
“We did not agree with or were we involved in the decision to take the billboard down,” he said.
UCLA officials also denied any involvement.
“We didn’t have anything to do with it,” UCLA athletic department spokesman Nick Ammazzalorso said.
The billboard is owned by Regency Outdoor Advertising, a company co-owned by Brian Kennedy, a prominent USC donor.
USC routed the Bruins, 50-0, last season as the Trojans have won 12 of the past 13 games against UCLA.
USC said the billboard is part of its branding and marketing campaign.
“It’s not a board to taunt,” Tessalone said.
The Bruins disagree.
“We need to change that. Oh, we need to change that,” Bruins receiver Darius Bell said. “This is our neighborhood.”
GATORS QBS
Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease said he’s not sure the two-quarterback system is viable beyond Saturday’s game against Bowling Green, meaning the Gators likely will choose between Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel before playing Texas A&M in the Southeastern Conference opener.
Coach Will Muschamp said the sophomores each will play a quarter in the first half Saturday, and then the coaches will decide how to progress after halftime.
COACH IS MUM
Georgia coach Mark Richt won’t confirm whether linebacker Alec Ogletree and safety Bacarri Rambo, who led the Southeastern Conference with eight interceptions last season, will be suspended when the No. 6 Bulldogs open the season Saturday.
Both were listed atop the depth chart, but reports said the two will be suspended for two games for off-field behavior.
EXTRA POINTS
Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, who ran for nine touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards last season, pleaded guilty to drunken driving while his availability for Saturday night’s showdown with No. 2 Alabama remained unknown. ... Louisiana Tech postponed Thursday’s game against Texas A&M because of Hurricane Isaac’s forecast path through Louisiana. The game has been rescheduled to Oct. 13. ... Tennessee Tech wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers said failing “a couple of drug tests, yes sir,” caused his recent departure from Tennessee. ... Purdue suspended senior starting linebacker Dwayne Beckford, the team’s second-leading tackler last season, indefinitely. Coach Danny Hope said Beckford was arrested for what he described as a violation of Beckford’s “probationary status.” ... Mississippi State has disassociated from an athletics booster because of “impermissible contact” with a prospective student-athlete. The booster’s name was redacted from documents.
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