21.   Early season injuries to Travis Kirschke, Donnie Edwards, Phillip Ward and Danjuan Magee forced several young players into action, perhaps before they were prepared.

22.   Enter Corsi, who has battled back from two injuries this season and has been sharing the closer role with Henry since the departure of Heathcliff Slocumb.

23.   First there was a run of disastrous early season injuries that helped precipitate a coaching change.

24.   For starters, Adams was slowed down by an ankle injury last season at Michigan State.

25.   Former Stars tough guy Bill Huard has battled three separate injuries this season.

26.   For the first time in his career, he suffered a serious injury last season.

27.   Given those expectations and a rash of early season injuries, Fassel went ahead and placed five rookies into his starting lineup, including the punter.

28.   Green, a senior, was slowed by hamstring injuries last season, his first at USC after transferring from Mt. San Antonio College.

29.   Griffey suffered with a hamstring injury all season.

30.   Gonzalez has been sidelined with back, leg and shoulder injuries this season.