USC files a complaint on Musburger

USC Trojans filed a complaint against ABC-TV's Brent Musburger who revealed privileged information in play-by-play commentary during Saturday's game against Nebraska.

The University of Southern California and USC sports information director Tim Tessalone sent a letter of complaint to ESPN/ABC game producer Bill Bonnell last Monday stating that Musburger, with less than 10 minutes to play and the Trojans leading 21-10, began describing how USC quarterback John David Booty lets receivers know he has spotted a certain kind of coverage.

"John David told us that his signal when he finds one-on-one and they're coming, it's that 'hang loose,' that familiar sign you've seen surfers use," said Musburger, referring to the sign where the thumb and little finger are raised.

The announcers and producers had a meeting with the coaches and start players last Friday as part of their game preparation. They also discussed about how a replay of the Ohio State-Texas broadcast showed Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith tapping the top of his helmet to let receiver Ted Ginn Jr. know he's noticed one-on-one coverage.

"We are very mindful of what we learn in pre-game meetings in terms in what is appropriate for broadcast and what is for our background. We're sorry this led to an unfortunate misunderstanding, which was never our intention," ESPN said in a statement released by spokesman Josh Krulewitz.