While no ruling on his eligibility has been issued, Joe McKnight and Southern Cal received a positive sign that the running back might be available for the Emerald Bowl this Saturday.
According to the school’s official website, McKnight has been cleared to practice with the team.
“Joe did everything he needed to do compliance-wise in L.A., so it was the right thing to get him up here right away,” head coach Pete Carroll said. “Compliance hasn’t made a final ruling, but this is a most favorable sign.
“We’ll just play it out and see what happens from here. In the meantime, it’s great to have Joe back with us.”
McKnight’s use of a Land Rover reportedly belonging to his girlfriend — and owned by a Los Angeles businessman — has come under scrutiny and led to an internal investigation by the school.
The back did not travel with his teammates to San Francisco earlier this week as he was finishing up paperwork related to the investigation, but did join them Wednesday night and will be on the practice field today.
Maybe if the little baby cries some more they will let him become Mayor of L.A. Rules, rules you must follow the rules. If you can run fast and carry a bag of air, shouldn’t the rules still pertain to you?? I guess not. No SAT scores apply. No classes no grades no class work. Makes me want to go back and get my Phd. In sand box.
This is why Lane Kiffin is getting in so much trouble so soon at Tennessee. You spend enough time coaching at USC, and you forget that other programs have to follow rules.
USC and rules are polar opposites and the NCAA condones it. Penalized? The darlings of the NCAA? Probably never happen again. Too big a market in LA to slap down a high profile team and lose viewership on national TV . Remember how far the program fell after the post Robinson era sanctions; The major networks can’t have that happen again. But you can’t help but wonder… girlfriends with Land Rovers??, parents with million dollar homes??, and the administration offers up a few academic ineligibles! Maybe Slick Pete is thinking self identify and take a small hit now to appear legal while the program is down, and help cover the bigger sins it will take to rebuild. Some things never change at ‘ol John Robinson U. Open your eyes NCAA rules committee!