Hershel Dennis

Infobox NCAA Athlete
name = Hershel Dennis

---

caption = Dennis walking with the USC Trojans to a stadium before a game
college = Southern California
sport = Football
position = TB
jersey = 34
class = Senior
career_start = 2002
nickname = Patch
height_ft = 5
height_in = 11
weight_lb = 205
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1984|7|12
birth_place = Long Beach, California
highschool = Long Beach Poly, Long Beach, California
former_school(s)=
awards =

Hershel Dennis Jr. (born July 12, 1984) played college football running back as a student athlete at the University of Southern California. During his six-year career, the Trojans went 70-8 and Dennis became the first player to play on six Pacific Ten Championship squads. His nickname since childhood is "Patch." [http://usc.scout.com/2/643614.html The Reason] , WeAreSC.com, May 13, 2007.]

High school career

Dennis prepped at Long Beach Polytechnic High School and was a part of the "Long Beach Poly Five", five highly recruited players including Manuel Wright and current NFL players Marcedes Lewis, Darnell Bing and Winston Justice. [http://usc.scout.com/2/643614.html The Reason] , WeAreSC.com, May 13, 2007.] As of May 2007, Dennis still held the career rushing and touchdown marks at Long Beach Poly, as well as the single season rushing record. [http://usc.scout.com/2/643614.html The Reason] , WeAreSC.com, May 13, 2007.] Dennis made his final decision between USC and the University of Oregon; his father wanted him to go to Oregon, but he chose USC out of respect for his mother, Rose Teofilo, who wanted him closer to home. [http://usc.scout.com/2/643614.html The Reason] , WeAreSC.com, May 13, 2007.] LQ Singian, [http://www.wearesc.com/news/story.php?article=982 Exit Interview: Hershel "Patch" Dennis] , WeAreSC.com, April 22, 2008.]

College career

As a freshmen in the 2002 season, Dennis was a reserve behind a stable of experienced seniors including running backs Justin Fargas and Sultan McCullough as well as fullback/tailbacks Malaefou MacKenzie and Sunny ByrdLee Jenkins, [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/sports/ncaafootball/26usc.html In U.S.C.’s Full Backfield, Student Body Right Has a New Meaning] , "The New York Times", August 26, 2007.] ; however, he did see play time in all 13 games, highlighted by a 38-yard touchdown run against rival UCLA.LQ Singian, [http://www.wearesc.com/news/story.php?article=982 Exit Interview: Hershel "Patch" Dennis] , WeAreSC.com, April 22, 2008.] In 2003, he was the starting tailback in all 13 games over current NFL players Reggie Bush and Lendale White.

However, Dennis lost the starting spot for the 2004 season, having been suspended from the first two games due to a resulting criminal investigation (that later cleared him of any wrongdoing) and violating team rules.Michael Ventre, [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10372340/ Bush gradually set stage for ‘Year of Reggie’] , MSNBC, December 10, 2005.] This allowed the tandem of White and Bush to emerge and relegate Dennis to the role of reserve for most of the season.Michael Ventre, [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10372340/ Bush gradually set stage for ‘Year of Reggie,’] MSNBC, December 10, 2005.] Dennis did appear in a total of 9 games in the 2004 season, but was beset by a serious, season-ending torn knee ligament in practices before the 2005 Orange Bowl. During this period, Dennis considered transferring to another program, but his mother pressured him to stay and graduate as he is the only one of Teofilo’s children to have attended a university. [http://usc.scout.com/2/643614.html The Reason] , WeAreSC.com, May 13, 2007.]

The same torn knee ligament kept Dennis from participating in the entire 2005 season, having already used his redshirt year he lost a year of eligibility. Going into the 2006 season, Dennis was the leading career rusher among current student athletes. Unfortunately, in spring practice Dennis was again beset by season-ending knee injury, causing him to entirely miss a second year in a row. While this would have eliminated his final year of eligibility, Dennis and USC applied to the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility, given the extreme circumstances. Dennis returned to full-contact practice in the 2007 spring practice [Gary Klein, [http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-spw-uscfb4apr04,1,5182235.story Dennis optimistic about a sixth season] , "Los Angeles Times", April 4, 2007.] In May 2007, Dennis graduated with his Bachelor's degree in sociology. [http://usc.scout.com/2/643614.html The Reason] , WeAreSC.com, May 13, 2007.] The NCAA granted his application for a sixth year of eligibility in June 2007. [http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=18&p=2&c=653000 Patch is Back!] , WeAreSC.com, June 19, 2007.]

During his final game, the 2008 Rose Bowl game against Illinois, Dennis rushed for a touchdown, his first of the season and first since 2004, that led teammates to rush the goal from the sidelines in celebration (and an excessive celebration penalty).Gary Klein, Mike Hiserman and David Wharton, [http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-rosenotes2jan02,1,4075942.story Green puts arm to good use] , "Los Angeles Times", January 2, 2008.]

At the end of his six-year USC career, Dennis became the first player to play on six Pac-10 Championship squads. In addition to conference accolades, Dennis also made central contributions to teams that finished in the BCS (national) top 5 during 6 consecutive seasons (2002-07).

Personal

His father, Hershel Dennis, Sr., played running back for North Carolina A&T; his mother, who he calls "Mama Rose", would regularly attend her son's practices and is featured in a tattoo on his arm.LQ Singian, [http://www.wearesc.com/news/story.php?article=982 Exit Interview: Hershel "Patch" Dennis] , WeAreSC.com, April 22, 2008.] Dennis has his initials tattooed on the back of his arms above the elbow (left: "H", right: "D"). [ [http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-uscfb8apr08-pg,1,4186504.photogallery?coll=la-headlines-sports-coll-usc&index=10 USC Football Spring Scrimmage Photo Gallery] , "Los Angeles Times", April 8, 2007.] Dennis became the first person in his family to receive a college degree. He has a son, Zion Keaka Hershel Dennis.LQ Singian, [http://www.wearesc.com/news/story.php?article=982 Exit Interview: Hershel "Patch" Dennis] , WeAreSC.com, April 22, 2008.]

In addition two three high school championship rings, Dennis ended his college career with thirteen championship rings: six Pac-10 champion rings, two Orange Bowl champion rings, two Rose Bowl Champion rings, and two national championship rings.LQ Singian, [http://www.wearesc.com/news/story.php?article=982 Exit Interview: Hershel "Patch" Dennis] , WeAreSC.com, April 22, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dennis_hershel00.html USC Bio]