He is a traditional player in a traditional program. A hard-nosed guy on a team that practically invented the phrase.
For the men of Troy, he is Troy, the man.
Southern California safety Troy Polamalu, the only player from Oregon on the 90-something strong USC roster, epitomizes the Trojans’ rugged defense this season. After missing games against Washington State and California, Polamalu returned with a passion against Washington on Saturday, recording five tackles, one pass deflection and an interception against the Huskies.
And on Saturday, Polamalu will come back home. The senior from Winston, Ore., is perhaps the best Oregon product in the Pacific-10 conference. He’s surely the most fearsome.
“He is a tremendous football player and it shows in every phase of the game,” USC head coach Pete Carroll said.
Versatility is Polamalu’s biggest strength. In 2001 he blocked three punts, ran back two interceptions for touchdowns and led the team with 118 tackles. He finished second in the Pac-10 in tackles per game, but also ran back two punt returns for more than 27 yards each.
He is fast, strong, and all over the field.

“All I can say is wow,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said about Polamalu and his cohorts in the USC secondary. “They have amazing make-up speed and they’ll hit you and it is so impressive. USC is playing with a different attitude and that has made them a better team.”
Polamalu’s attitude has always been that of a true football player, the same kind of attitude that many Oregon-resident Ducks adopt. Plus, a little bit of Samoan blood never hurts.
“I’ve developed the Samoan mentality,” Polamalu said. “You have to be a gentleman everywhere but on the field. On the field, play like it’s a game of life. Give it everything you have.”
Polamalu is still on many national-award “watch” lists, despite missing the two Pac-10 games. He is on the short list for the Thorpe Award and the Bronco Nagurski award, both defensive awards given out at the end of the season.
Polamalu has been one of the major factors in USC’s defensive renaissance this season. The Trojans are ranked first in the Pac-10 in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense, and are third-best in the conference against the rush. USC is ranked 13th in the nation in total defense and 17th in scoring defense.
In a conference often lambasted for its lack of tough “D,” the Trojans are an exception to that rule. They allow only 286.1 yards per game on average, and only 185.9 passing yards per game in the air-happy Pac-10.
The Trojans still have some conference offensive powerhouses remaining on its schedule, starting with Oregon on Saturday. USC also has Arizona State and UCLA remaining on its schedule. Oregon and Arizona State are ranked first and second, respectively, in Pac-10 scoring offense, averaging 38.1 and 36.3 points per game.
“The conference is loaded with offense,” Carroll said.
But Polamalu welcomes the challenge. His philosophy on football is similar to his philosophy on life.
“Say it’s first and goal, we’re playing Notre Dame and we’re down by two points,” Polamalu said. “Someone needs to make a big play. I can tell myself in life, when my back is to the wall, I can pull myself up because I’ve been in a similar situation.”
Polamalu’s work ethic and determination led him to a rare accomplishment: He was elected as USC team captain before the 2001 season, as a junior.
“He is a team player, as shown by his desire and performance on special teams,” Carroll said. “He is also a humble, dedicated team leader who is respected greatly by his teammates.”
When Polamalu leads his teammates into his home state on Saturday, they will need his leadership more than ever as they face a tough Oregon squad.
They will need him to play tough football.
They will need him to be a man
of Troy.