Saturday Blitz
Fansided

USC LB Don Hill suspended for game vs. Alabama

By Danny Jaillet

Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) is tackled by Southern California Trojans linebacker Don Hill (59) and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) is tackled by Southern California Trojans linebacker Don Hill (59) and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

USC linebacker Don Hill has been suspended before the marquee match up with Alabama in Dallas.

In what has been a trying week for USC, the bad news keeps coming. Late Friday, it was announced that Trojans defensive end/outside linebacker Don Hill was sent home from Dallas for what the program called “a violation of team rules,” per a report from Ben Kercheval of CBSSports.com. This comes hours before the Trojans take on Alabama Saturday.

The dismissal comes after Hill was connected in a rape case that allegedly involves teammate Osa Masina.

According to a search warrant, the female victim says she was taken back to Hill’s apartment in mid-July and raped after being given alcohol and Xanax pills. This was recorded by Masina and sent to the woman’s ex-boyfriend.

Per the report, Police Lt. Dan Bartlett of Cottonwood Heights was able to confirm the investigation of Masina earlier this week.

Neither player has been arrested or charged as a result of the allegations.

Hill recorded seven tackles in five contests last season proving to be a dependable part of the Trojan defensive scheme.

From a football standpoint, this leaves USC even more shorthanded than they already are, and against a team like Alabama who will exploit beneficial matchups and weaknesses.

Bigger than football, however, is the effect that this will have on the program. While this is no “death penalty” type of situation, it has to raise into question the type of culture that surrounds the program. While this incident by no means defines the entire program, it does raise into question the maturity level and judgment of the players involved.

It does call into question the environment at the program, which might escape scrutiny from the NCAA but could be examined by the school and board.

The start time for the USC-Alabama game is 8 pm and can be watched on ABC.

Home/USC Trojans