USC’s Trip to South Bend Already a bit Bumpy

The USC team’s flight into South Bend last night became a bit scary for a few moments, when the plane had some trouble making the landing.  From the LA Times:

Several players, administrative staff and coaches’ spouses said passengers were hurled out of their seats and hit their heads on the ceiling when the plane dropped while making an approach through a lightning storm. The pilot aborted the approach and circled before landing without incident, said Dennis Slutak, USC’s director of football operations.

Some of the passengers were not wearing seat belts at the time, but others said their seat belts broke.

“There was a moment there when I was thinking, ‘This is it,’ ” Slutak said.

Said sophomore safety Taylor Mays: “I was screaming.”

At their hotel, senior defensive end Lawrence Jackson said he was going to see the team trainer because a popsicle stick had pierced the inside of his mouth during the drop.

“That was terrifying,” freshman fullback Stanley Havili said. “I thought I was going to die.”

Quarterback John David Booty said, “It wasn’t the worst flight I’ve ever been on, but it was definitely the biggest drop.”

Thankfully no one was hurt in the incident, but maybe it’s a sign that USC’s trip to South Bend this year won’t be a comfortable one.