For a mascot, celebrating is a lot like eating or drinking. It's something you want to do in moderation.
Celebrating too much presents an occupational hazard. Take, for instance, the Oregon Duck, which found itself prone on the ground after doing 546 push-ups while his beloved Oregon trounced Portland State 81–7 in its season opener.
Now, for the second time in two weeks, a Pac-12 mascot has learned this the hard way.
On Saturday, No. 6 USC detonated on Stanford in the first half, dropping 49 points in the opening 30 minutes against the Cardinal's mere three.
The Trojans' evisceration was so thorough that, per USC reporter Keely Eure, Traveler—the team's beloved horse mascot—was too tired to celebrate when the Trojans went up 42–3.
This is a real fact I just learned: USC didn’t send out Traveler for the Trojans’ latest score because the horse was too tired.
— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) September 10, 2023
USC up 42-3 with 5 minute left in the first half.
Amazingly, USC scored once more before the half as Traveler got a much-needed break.
The horse, in use by the Trojans since 1961, must have been disappointed to miss part of a virtuoso performance by USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The Heisman Trophy winner completed 19 of his 21 passes, dazzling with 281 yards and three touchdowns.
