University of Southern California Trojans football
Encyclopedia
The USC Trojans football program, established in 1888, represents the University of Southern California
in college football
. USC is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I FBS and the Pacific-12 Conference (Pac-12). The Trojans have been a football powerhouse throughout NCAA history and claim 11 national championships. In total, 472 Trojans have been taken in the NFL Draft
, more than from any other university.
. Playing its first game on November 14 of that year against the Alliance Athletic Club, gaining a 16–0 victory. Frank Suffel and Henry H. Goddard
were playing coaches for the first team which was put together by quarterback Arthur Carroll; who in turn volunteered to make the pants for the team and later became a tailor. USC faced its first collegiate opponent the following year in fall 1889, playing St. Vincent’s College
to a 40–0 victory.
In 1893, joined the Intercollegiate Football Association of Southern California (the forerunner of the SCIAC), which was composed of USC, Occidental College
, Throop Polytechnic Institute (Cal Tech)
, and Chaffey College
. Pomona College
was invited to enter, but declined to do so. An invitation was also extended to Los Angeles High School
.
Before they were named Trojans in 1912, USC athletic teams were called the Methodists, as well as the Wesleyans. During the early years, limitations in travel and the scarcity of major football-playing colleges on the West Coast limited its rivalries to local Southern Californian colleges and universities. During this period USC played regular series against Occidental
, Caltech
, Whittier
, Pomona
and Loyola
. The first USC team to play outside of Southern California went to Stanford University
on November 4, 1905, where they were trampled 16–0 by the traditional West Coast powerhouse. While the teams would not meet again until 1918 (Stanford dropped football for rugby union
during the intervening years), this was also USC's first game against a future Pac-12 conference opponent and the beginning of its oldest rivalry. During this period USC also played its first games against other future Pac-12 rivals, including Oregon State
(1914), California
(1915), Oregon
(1915) and Arizona
(1916).
Between 1911–1913, USC followed the example of California and Stanford and dropped football in favor of rugby union
. The results were disastrous, as USC was soundly defeated by more experienced programs while the school itself experienced financial reverses; however, it was during this period that Owen R. Bird, a sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times
, coined the nickname "Trojans", which he wrote was "owing to the terrific handicaps under which the athletes, coaches and managers of the university were laboring and against the overwhelming odds of larger and better equipped rivals, the name 'Trojan' suitably fitted the players."
in the early 1920s. Another milestone came under Henderson in 1922, when USC joined the Pacific Coast Conference
(PCC), the forerunner of the modern Pac-10. Success continued under coach Howard Jones from 1925 to 1940, when the Trojans were just one of a few nationally dominant teams. It was during this era that the team achieved renown as the "Thundering Herd", earning its first four national titles.
, who coached from 1942–1950, won the Rose Bowl in 1943 and 1945. Jess Hill
, who coached from 1951 to 1956, won the Rose Bowl in 1953.
The late 1950s saw a "pay-for-play" scandal involving several PCC schools, including USC, tear the conference apart. The PCC eventually dissolved in 1959, and USC joined the PCC's other three California schools and Washington
in immediately forming a new conference, the Athletic Association of Western Universities, under a new charter. After absorbing all of the PCC's final members except for Idaho
, the AAWU would change its name to the Pacific-8 Conference in 1968, the Pacific-10 after the 1978 entry of Arizona
and Arizona State, and the Pacific-12 after the 2011 entry of Colorado
and Utah
. (The Pac-12 officially claims the PCC's history as its own, despite the change in charter.)
(Mike Garrett
and O.J. Simpson) and won four national championships (1962, 1967, 1972 and 1974). McKay's influence continued even after he departed for the NFL when an assistant coach, John Robinson (1976–1982), took over as head coach. Under Robinson, USC won another national championship in 1978 (shared with Alabama; ironically, USC defeated Alabama, 24–14, that same season) and two more players won the Heisman Trophy (Charles White
and Marcus Allen
).
On September 12, 1970, USC opened the season visiting the University of Alabama
under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant
and became the first fully integrated team to play in the state of Alabama. The game, scheduled by Bryant, resulted in a dominating 42-21 win by the Trojans. More importantly, all six touchdowns scored by USC team were by African American players, two by USC running back Sam "Bam" Cunningham
, against an all-white Crimson Tide team. After the game, Bryant was able to persuade the university to allow African American players to play, hastening the racial integration of football at Alabama and in the South.
rankings and Pac-10 Conference championships. Under head coaches Ted Tollner
(1983–1986) and Larry Smith (1987–1992), each winning the Rose Bowl
once, USC was recognized among the nation's top-ten teams three times. However, some alumni had grown accustomed to the programs' stature as a perennial national championship contender. In 1993, Robinson was named head coach a second time, leading the Trojans to a victory in the 1996 Rose Bowl over Northwestern
.
However, the winless streaks of 13 years (1983–1995, including the 1994 17–17 tie) to rival Notre Dame
and 8 years (1991–1998) to crosstown rival UCLA were unacceptable to many USC supporters. In 1998, head coach Paul Hackett took over the team, but posted an even more disappointing 19–18 record in three seasons. By 2000, some observers surmised that USC football's days of national dominance were fading; the football team's record of 37–35 from 1996 to 2001 was their second-worst over any five-year span in history (only the mark of 29–29–2 from 1956–1961 was worse), and the period marked the first and only time USC had been out of the final top 20 teams for four straight years.
In 2001
, athletic director Mike Garrett
released Hackett and hired Pete Carroll
, a former NFL
head coach. Carroll went 6–6 in his first year, losing to Utah
in the Las Vegas Bowl
, 10–6. Since then, his teams became highly successful, ranking among the top ten teams in the country, with the exception of 2009 in which the team lost four regular season games.
and Washington State
. However, the Trojans went on to win the rest of their games, completing the regular season 11–2 on the strength of senior quarterback Carson Palmer
's breakout performance. After struggling for most of his collegiate career, Palmer excelled in the Pro Style offense installed by new offensive coordinator Norm Chow
. In fact, Palmer's performance, particularly in the season-ending rivalry games against Notre Dame and UCLA, impressed so many pundits that he went on to win the Heisman Trophy, carrying every region of voting and becoming the first USC quarterback
to be so honored. Despite tying for the Pac-10 title (with Washington State), having the highest BCS "strength of schedule" rating, and fielding the nation's top defense led by safety Troy Polamalu
, USC finished the season ranked No. 5 in the BCS
rankings. Facing off against BCS No. 3 Iowa
in the Orange Bowl, USC defeated the Hawkeyes 38–17.
In 2003, highly touted but unproven redshirt sophomore Matt Leinart
took over for Palmer at quarterback. Although his first pass
went for a touchdown
in a win over Auburn
, the Trojans suffered an early season triple-overtime loss to conference rival California
in Berkeley. Nevertheless, Carroll guided the team to wins in their remaining games and they completed the regular season 11–1. Before the postseason, both the coaches' poll and the AP Poll
ranked USC number #1, but the BCS - which also gave consideration to computer rankings - ranked Oklahoma
first, another one-loss team but one that had lost its own Big 12 Conference
title game 35–7, with USC ranked third.
In the 2003 BCS National Championship Game, the Sugar Bowl
, BCS #2 LSU
defeated BCS #1 Oklahoma 21–14. Meanwhile, BCS #3 USC defeated BCS #4 Michigan
28–14 in the Rose Bowl
. USC finished the season ranked #1 in the AP poll and was awarded the AP National Championship; LSU, however, won the BCS National Championship title for that year, prompting a split national title between LSU and USC. In the wake of the controversy, corporate sponsors emerged who were willing to organize an LSU-USC game to settle the matter; nevertheless, the NCAA refused to permit the matchup.
and Reggie Bush
. The defense—led by All-America
n defensive tackles Shaun Cody
and Mike Patterson, as well as All-American linebackers Lofa Tatupu
and Matt Grootegoed
—was considered to be among the finest in the nation. Key questions included the offensive line, with few returning starters, and the receiving corps, which had lost previous year's senior Keary Colbert
and the breakout star of 2003, Mike Williams. Williams had tried to enter the NFL draft a year early during the Maurice Clarett
trial, only to be rebuffed by the NFL and subsequently denied eligibility by the NCAA.
Despite close calls against Stanford and California, the Trojans finished the regular season undefeated and headed for the 2004 BCS Championship Game at the Orange Bowl. USC was the second team in NCAA football history to have gone wire-to-wire (ranked first place from preseason to postseason since the AP began releasing preseason rankings); the first was Florida State
in 1999 (three other schools went wire-to-wire before the existence of preseason polls - Notre Dame in 1943, Army
in 1945 and USC in 1972). Quarterback Leinart won the Heisman Trophy, with running back Bush placing fifth in the vote tally. The Trojans' opponent in the Orange Bowl, Oklahoma, were themselves undefeated and captained by sixth-year quarterback Jason White, who had won the Heisman in 2003; the game marked the first time in NCAA history that two players who had already won the Heisman played against each other. Most analysts expected the game to be close—as USC matched its speed and defense against the Oklahoma running game and skilled offensive line—but the reality proved to be far different. USC scored 38 points by halftime, and won the BCS National Championship Game by the score of 55–19, making them the BCS Champions and earning the team the AP National Championship as well.
In June 2010, after a four-year investigation, the NCAA imposed sanctions against the Trojan football program for a "lack of institutional control," including a public reprimand and censure, a two-year postseason ban, a loss of 30 scholarships over three years, and vacation of all wins in which Reggie Bush
participated as an ineligible player, including the 2005 Orange Bowl
, in which the Trojans won the BCS National Championship.
Following the NCAA sanctions, BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock stated that a committee would decide whether to vacate USC's 2004 BCS Championship, but the final decision would be delayed until after the NCAA had heard USC's appeals against some of the sanctions. On July 20, 2010, incoming USC president Max Nikias
stated that the school would remove jerseys and murals displayed in Bush's honor from its facilities, and would return the school's copy of Bush's Heisman Trophy. On September 14, Bush announced that he would forfeit the Heisman and return his copy of the trophy.
On May 26, 2011, NCAA upheld all findings and penalties against USC in their infractions case on former players Reggie Bush
and O.J. Mayo. The USC football team will not participate in the Pacific-12 Football Championship Game
or a bowl game for the 2011–12 season. The BCS announced June 6, 2011, that it had stripped USC of the 2004 title, yet USC still retains the 2004 AP National Championship.
finished his stellar year by winning the Heisman Trophy
(later returned by USC and reclaimed by the Heisman Trophy Trust considering Bush accepted improper benefits while at USC and was ineligible during the 2005 season), while Leinart finished third in the Heisman voting. Several other players also earned accolades, being named All-Americans (AP, Football Coaches, Football Writers, Walter Camp, ESPN.com, SI.com, CBS Sportsline.com, Rivals.com, Collegefootballnews.com). These include QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush, RB LenDale White, S Darnell Bing
, OT Taitusi Lutui
, OT Sam Baker, WR Dwayne Jarrett
, C Ryan Kalil
, OG Fred Matua
, and DE Lawrence Jackson
. Additionally, OL Winston Justice
did well enough to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft. The regular season ended with two clear cut contenders facing off in the Rose Bowl to decide the national championship. Although USC and Texas were 12–0 entering the game, with USC the slight favorite, USC lost to Texas 41–38.
As with the 2004 season, later NCAA investigations into alleged improper benefits given to Reggie Bush altered the official record of the 2005 Trojan season. All twelve wins from the 2005 season were officially vacated.
and returning star receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith
along with second-year wide-out Patrick Turner. Mark Sanchez
, the highly touted QB of the recruiting class of 2005 (Mission Viejo High School
) was widely viewed as a dark horse to win the starting job from Booty, although Booty was named the starter at the end of fall training camp. The starting tailback position was initially a battle between returning players Chauncey Washington and Desmond Reed (both recovering from injuries) and heralded recruits Stafon Johnson (Dorsey High School in Los Angeles), C.J. Gable
, Allen Bradford and Emmanuel Moody
.
USC had many experienced players as well, including linebacker Dallas Sartz and wide receiver Chris McFoy, who had already graduated with their bachelor's degrees and were pursuing master's degrees. Fullback Brandon Hancock would have been part of that group as well until an injury ended his collegiate career. Additionally, fifth year (redshirt) senior linebacker Oscar Lua, running back Ryan Powdrell and offensive lineman Kyle Williams were expected to either start or play frequently in 2006.
The 2006 Trojans came out strong, easily defending their top-10 status throughout the year. However, USC began to display marked inconsistencies, as their margins of victory began to slip. The first setback proved to be a 31–33 loss to unranked Oregon State
, in which the Beavers were able to repeatedly capitalize on several Trojan turnovers. Surprisingly, though USC dropped initially in the polls, they worked their way back up to the No. 3 spot by the final week of the season. After defeating both Notre Dame and Cal, the Trojans were considered to be a virtual lock for the National Championship Game against Ohio State. However, USC was shocked in the final game of the season, losing to crosstown rival UCLA
13–9. This eliminated the Trojans from championship contention and opened the door for Florida
to become Ohio State's opponent.
On January 6, 2007, 6 days after the Rose Bowl Game
, USC kicker Mario Danelo
was found dead at the bottom of the White Point Cliff near Point Fermin Lighthouse in San Pedro, California.
named USC its #1 team of the decade for the period between 1996 and 2006, citing the Trojans' renaissance and dominance under Coach Carroll.
The 2007 Trojans
were the presumptive #1 pick before the season. However they lost two games, including a major upset
to 41-point underdog Stanford
, and they did not get into the National Championship game. However, the Trojans did win their sixth conference championship and defeated Illinois in the 2008 Rose Bowl
Game.
Under Carroll, USC has been known to attract numerous celebrities to its practices, including USC alumni Will Ferrell
, George Lucas
, LeVar Burton
and Sophia Bush
as well as Snoop Dogg
, Henry Winkler
, Kirsten Dunst
, Nick Lachey
, Dr. Dre
, Spike Lee
, Alyssa Milano
, Flea, Wilmer Valderrama
, Jake Gyllenhaal
and Andre 3000
. The Trojans have also benefited from LA's lack of NFL teams
(with the LA Rams
and Raiders
having left in the early 1990s), combined with the Trojans 21st century success, leading them to sometimes be called LA's "de facto NFL team."
During Pete Carroll's first eight years as head coach, USC has lost only one game by more than seven points, a 27–16 loss at Notre Dame in his first season, until the second half of the 2009 season. The 21st century has also seen the rise of USC football's popularity in the Los Angeles market: without any stadium expansions, USC has broken its average home attendance record four times in a row: reaching 77,804 in 2003, 85,229 in 2004, 90,812 in 2005 and over 91,416 with one game to go in 2006 (the capacity of the Coliseum is 92,000). As of 2009, USC is one of only four of the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) teams to have never played a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) team since the split of Division I football in 1978.
in the Rose Bowl
, USC finished the season 12–1, and ranked #2 in the Coaches' Poll and #3 in the AP Poll
. The 2008 season culminated in USC's seventh straight Pac-10 Championship, seventh straight BCS bowl appearance and seventh straight finish in the top 4 of the AP Poll. This also marked seven consecutive seasons where USC has not lost a game by more than 7 points. Their only loss was on the road against Oregon State, which was mentioned in the preseason as a possible upset.
in the Emerald Bowl
, USC finished the season 9–4, and ranked #20 in the Coaches' Poll and #22 in the AP Poll
. USC ended its seven-year streak of Pac-10 Championship, BCS bowl appearance and top 4 finish of the AP Poll. The Trojans started the season strong beating #8 Ohio State
at The Horseshoe
. But they would lose to four Pac-10 teams (Washington
, Oregon
, Stanford
, and Arizona
). Blowout losses to Oregon 47-20 and Stanford 55-21 marked a turning point in USC's season and sparked debate in the media about the future dominance of USC football. After the season concluded, head coach Pete Carroll
resigned to accept a head coaching position with the Seattle Seahawks
.
In 2009, USC was named “Team of the Decade” by both CBSSports.com and Football.com, as well as the “Program of the Decade” by SI.com, plus was No. 1 in CollegeFootballNews.com’s “5-Year Program Rankings” and was ranked No. 2 in ESPN.com’s “Prestige Rankings” among all schools since 1936 (behind Oklahoma).
and Utah
on July 1, 2011.
In 2011, USC won the South Division by finishing conference play with a 7-2 record, including wins over Oregon and UCLA. USC's 50-0 win over UCLA was the largest margin of victory in the rivalry since 1930. Despite winning the South, USC is not eligible to play in the Pac-12 championship game. This penalty was handed down by the PAC-12 in addition to the other sanctions imposed by the NCAA on USC. Pac-12 North champion Oregon (8-1 Conf) will play South runner-up UCLA (5-4 Conf) for the Pac-12 Championship on December, 2nd, 2011 (http://www.pac-12.org/portals/7/images/Football/fcg/index.html).
and Pomona
, but these ended by the 1920s when USC joined the PCC and grew into a national caliber team.
USC plays the University of Notre Dame
each year for the Jeweled Shillelagh
. A majority of Trojan alumni and fans consider the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to be USC’s greatest gridiron rival. The intersectional game has featured more national championship teams, Heisman trophy winners, All-Americans, and future NFL hall-of-famers than any other collegiate match-up. The two schools have kept the annual game on their schedules since 1926 (except 1943–45 because of World War II travel restrictions) despite the fact that it enjoys neither the possibility of acquiring regional “bragging rights” nor the import of intra-league play that drive most rivalries. Notre Dame leads the series 43 wins to 34 wins. The game is often referred to as the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football.
USC's rivalry with UCLA is unique in that they are one of a few pairs of Division I FBS programs that share a major city. Both are within the L.A. city limits, approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) apart. Until 1982 the two schools also shared the same stadium: The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
.
The crosstown rivals play each year for city bragging rights and the Victory Bell
; and often for the right to go to the Rose Bowl
. The UCLA rivalry tends to draw the focus of student supporters since many USC students have friends or family members attending "that other school" (of course, many UCLA students refer to their USC friends in the same manner) and many Southern California families are evenly divided between Trojan Cardinal and Bruin Blue.
at Stanford in 2007. Harbaugh defeated Carroll 2-1 in their three matchups with both victories occurring in the Coliseum. In the 2009 meeting USC sustained their worst loss in 43 years and surrendered the most points to an opponent. This led the Los Angeles Times to declare that Stanford was "at the top of the USC 'Must Kill' list." Stanford has defeated USC in 4 of the last 5 meetings, winning in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
" play, which emphasized hard-nosed running in the pass-friendly Pacific-10 Conference. McKay and Robinson produced a number of top-rated players at the tailback
position, including four Heisman Trophy
winners. Standouts included Mike Garrett
, O. J. Simpson
, Anthony Davis, Ricky Bell
, Charles White
, and Marcus Allen
. Coach Pete Carroll
('01–'09) continued the trend in later years with current NFL players Reggie Bush
, LenDale White
and Justin Fargas
.
wearing the number 55. The number cannot be taken but is assigned by the head coach. Pete Carroll
had, at times, refrained from assigning the number if he did not think any player was worthy of it. The linebacker wearing #55 is typically regarded as the anchor of the defense.
Notable players who have worn #55 for USC include Junior Seau
, Willie McGinest
, Markus Steele
, Chris Claiborne
, and Keith Rivers
; Seau, McGinest, Claiborne and Rivers were all top-10 picks in the NFL Draft. The Cincinnati Bengals made Rivers the ninth overall selection in the 2008 draft. Freshman Lamar Dawson is the most recent #55.
The last non-linebacker to wear #55 was offensive center John Katnik in 1989.
of the same name (i.e., "Fight On for ol' S.C./Our men Fight On to Victory..." The two finger "V" salute for Victory is often given in accompaniment. The term came from a LA Times article in regard to a USC vs. Stanford track meet. Though USC lost by a considerable amount, LA Times writer Olin Bird wrote that USC "Fought on like Trojans". Shortly after changing USC's team name from the "Fighting Methodists" to the "Trojans", "Fight On" was taken as its slogan amongst fans.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
is one of the largest stadiums in the U.S. USC has played football in the Coliseum ever since the grand stadium was built in 1923. In fact, the Trojans played in the first varsity football game ever held there (beating Pomona College
23–7 on October 6, 1923). The Coliseum was the site of the 1932 Summer Olympics
and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies and track events of the 1984 Olympic Games
. Over the years, the Coliseum has been home to many sports teams besides the Trojans, including UCLA
football, the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Raiders
, the Los Angeles Chargers in 1960 of the AFL, and Los Angeles Dodgers
baseball, including the 1959 World Series
. The Coliseum has hosted various other events, from concerts and speeches to track meets and motorcycle races. The Coliseum has a present full-capacity of 92,000 seats (almost all are chair-back seats). The Coliseum is located on 17 acres (68,796.6 m²) in Exposition Park
, which also houses museums, gardens and the Los Angeles Sports Arena. It has also earned the nickname, "The Grand Old Lady".
, which was expanded in the fall of 1998 to include Brian Kennedy Field. In early 1999, Goux's Gate - named for the popular long-time assistant coach Marv Goux - was erected at the entrance to the practice field.
Top 10 opponents last 10 years
and/or Coaches' Poll. Two of USC's championships, 1928 and 1939, are based on the Dickinson System
, a formula devised by a University of Illinois professor that awarded national championships between 1926 and 1940. The Dickinson System is cited in the Official 2010 NCAA FBS Record Book as a legitimate national title selector. USC's claim is consistent with other FBS programs that won the Dickinson title. In 2004, USC recognized the 1939 squad as one of their national championship teams. The 2004 team was forced to vacate the final two games of its season, including the 2005 Orange Bowl
due to NCAA sanctions incurred as a result of loss of institutional control, and namely, in connection with Reggie Bush. USC appealed the sanctions, delaying consideration of vacating USC's 2004 championship by the BCS. Ultimately, USC lost the appeals and forfeited the 2004 BCS championship. The AP has stated that it will not vacate its 2004 championship award given to USC and hence retains a share of the national title.
Here are the years USC recognizes a national championship:
USC teams have also been selected as national champions in six other years (1929, 1933, 1976, 1979, 2002, 2008) by various nationally published ratings systems or voters. These ratings systems are not generally viewed as part of process of selecting the national championship. USC does not claim to have won titles in any of these years.
s, a total that trails only Alabama's
58 bowl appearances. USC has the highest winning percentage in bowl games—66%—among teams with at least 15 bowl appearances. Finally, USC's 33 Rose Bowl
appearances and 24 victories are the most of any school in a single bowl.
winners, 34 College Football Hall of Fame
inductees, and 150 All-America
ns. USC's first consensus All-American was offensive guard Brice Taylor
in 1925, who notably excelled despite missing his left hand, and who was one of USC's first black players.
winners. Reggie Bush
won the 2005 award, but the school, and later Bush himself, forfeited the award.
† - Vacated
Offense
QB: Pat Haden
, 72-74
FB: Leroy Holt
, 85-88
RB: O.J. Simpson, 67-68
RB: Marcus Allen
, 78-81
WR: Keyshawn Johnson
, 94-95
WR: Lynn Swann
, 71-73
TE: Charles Young
, 70-72
OL: Ron Yary
, 65-67
OL: Brad Budde
, 76-79
OL: Tony Boselli
, 91-94
OL: Ron Mix
, 57-59
OL: Bruce Matthews, 80-82
3rd WR: Johnnie Morton
, 90-93
PK: Steve Jordan, 81-84
Defense
DL: Tim Rossovich
, 65-67
DL: Marlin McKeever
, 58-60
DL: Mike McKeever
, 58-60
DL: Aaron Rosenberg
, 31-33
LB: Junior Seau
, 88-89
LB: Richard Wood, 72-74
LB: Chris Claiborne
, 96-98
DB: Ronnie Lott
, 77-80
DB: Dennis Smith, 77-80
DB: Dennis Thurman
, 74-77
DB: Mark Carrier, 87-89
P : Desmond Koch, 51-53
KR: Anthony Davis, 72-74
Offense
WR: Lynn Swann
71-73
WR: Keyshawn Johnson
92-95
TE: Hal Bedsole
61-63
OL: Ron Yary
65-67
OL: Tay Brown
30-32
OL: Tony Boselli
91-94
OL: John Baker
29-31
OL: Brad Budde
76-79
OL: Anthony Munoz
76-79
OL: Bruce Matthews 80-82
QB: Pat Haden
72-74
RB: Mike Garrett
63-65
RB: O.J. Simpson 67-68
RB: Charles White
76-79
RB: Marcus Allen
78-81
PK: Quin Rodriguez 87-90
Defense
DL: Ernie Smith
30-32
DL: Tim Ryan
86-89
DL: Harry Smith 37-39
DL: Aaron Rosenberg
31-33
LB: Chris Claiborne
96-98
LB: Richard Wood 72-74
LB: Jack Del Rio
81-84
LB: Junior Seau
88-89
DB: Ronnie Lott
77-80
DB: Morley Drury
25-27
DB: Mark Carrier 87-89
DB: Tim McDonald
83-86
P: Des Koch
51-53
picks (74) than any other college. 162 Trojans have been selected to the NFL Pro Bowl
, while a Trojan has played in all but two Super Bowl
s.
710-AM in Los Angeles
Broadcasters: Pete Arbogast (play-by-play), Paul McDonald (analyst) and John Jackson (sideline reporter)
Past broadcasters: Tom Kelly, Lee Hacksaw Hamilton, Tim Ryan, Larry Kahn, Mike Walden, Chick Hearn
, Petros Papadakis
, Fred Gallagher, and Mike Lamb
, among the most recent USC radio broadcasters. Until 1995, radio station KNX
AM-1070 in Los Angeles was the school's football flagship station. From 2001 to 2006, KMPC AM-1540 was the Trojan's flagship station. Pete Arbogast, who has called Trojans football for 14 of the last 20 seasons, will call his sixth Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2009. Arbogast also called the Rose Bowl game for USC for the university's campus radio station, KSCR, in 1978 and 1979
Public address announcer: Dennis Packer
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
. USC is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I FBS and the Pacific-12 Conference (Pac-12). The Trojans have been a football powerhouse throughout NCAA history and claim 11 national championships. In total, 472 Trojans have been taken in the NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
, more than from any other university.
History
1888–1910s
USC first fielded a football team in 18881888 in sports
-American football:College championship* College football national championship – Yale Bulldogs Events* Tackling below the waist is legalised.-Association football:England...
. Playing its first game on November 14 of that year against the Alliance Athletic Club, gaining a 16–0 victory. Frank Suffel and Henry H. Goddard
Henry H. Goddard
Henry Herbert Goddard was a prominent American psychologist and eugenicist in the early 20th century...
were playing coaches for the first team which was put together by quarterback Arthur Carroll; who in turn volunteered to make the pants for the team and later became a tailor. USC faced its first collegiate opponent the following year in fall 1889, playing St. Vincent’s College
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a comprehensive co-educational private Roman Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions located in Los Angeles, California, United States...
to a 40–0 victory.
In 1893, joined the Intercollegiate Football Association of Southern California (the forerunner of the SCIAC), which was composed of USC, Occidental College
Occidental College
Occidental College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1887, Occidental College, or "Oxy" as it is called by students and alumni, is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast...
, Throop Polytechnic Institute (Cal Tech)
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
, and Chaffey College
Chaffey College
Chaffey College is a public community college in the San Bernardino County city of Rancho Cucamonga, California, in the northern part of the community of Alta Loma. Chaffey provides students with different classes and programs, including business, science, the arts, history, philosophy,...
. Pomona College
Pomona College
Pomona College is a private, residential, liberal arts college in Claremont, California. Founded in 1887 in Pomona, California by a group of Congregationalists, the college moved to Claremont in 1889 to the site of a hotel, retaining its name. The school enrolls 1,548 students.The founding member...
was invited to enter, but declined to do so. An invitation was also extended to Los Angeles High School
Los Angeles High School
Los Angeles High School is the oldest public high school in the Southern California Region and in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Its colors are blue and white and the teams are called the Romans....
.
Before they were named Trojans in 1912, USC athletic teams were called the Methodists, as well as the Wesleyans. During the early years, limitations in travel and the scarcity of major football-playing colleges on the West Coast limited its rivalries to local Southern Californian colleges and universities. During this period USC played regular series against Occidental
Occidental College
Occidental College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1887, Occidental College, or "Oxy" as it is called by students and alumni, is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast...
, Caltech
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
, Whittier
Whittier College
Whittier College is a private liberal arts college in Whittier, California. As of January 2009, the college has approximately 1540 enrolled students.-Overview:...
, Pomona
Pomona College
Pomona College is a private, residential, liberal arts college in Claremont, California. Founded in 1887 in Pomona, California by a group of Congregationalists, the college moved to Claremont in 1889 to the site of a hotel, retaining its name. The school enrolls 1,548 students.The founding member...
and Loyola
Loyola Marymount Lions
The Loyola Marymount Lions are the athletic teams that represent Loyola Marymount University, a Jesuit institution in Los Angeles, California. The school competes in NCAA Division I, with its primary affiliation in the West Coast Conference, an organization consisting solely of...
. The first USC team to play outside of Southern California went to Stanford University
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
on November 4, 1905, where they were trampled 16–0 by the traditional West Coast powerhouse. While the teams would not meet again until 1918 (Stanford dropped football for rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
during the intervening years), this was also USC's first game against a future Pac-12 conference opponent and the beginning of its oldest rivalry. During this period USC also played its first games against other future Pac-12 rivals, including Oregon State
Oregon State Beavers football
The Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in NCAA Division I-A college football. The team first fielded an organized football team in 1893 and is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. The head coach is Mike Riley, with Danny Langsdorf as the offensive...
(1914), California
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
(1915), Oregon
Oregon Ducks football
The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the...
(1915) and Arizona
Arizona Wildcats football
The Arizona Wildcats football team is the football team of the University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level.-Early years:...
(1916).
Between 1911–1913, USC followed the example of California and Stanford and dropped football in favor of rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
. The results were disastrous, as USC was soundly defeated by more experienced programs while the school itself experienced financial reverses; however, it was during this period that Owen R. Bird, a sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, coined the nickname "Trojans", which he wrote was "owing to the terrific handicaps under which the athletes, coaches and managers of the university were laboring and against the overwhelming odds of larger and better equipped rivals, the name 'Trojan' suitably fitted the players."
1920s–1930s
After several decades of competition, USC first achieved national prominence under head coach "Gloomy" Gus HendersonGus Henderson
Elmer Clinton "Gloomy Gus" Henderson was an American football coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Southern California , the University of Tulsa , and Occidental College , compiling a career college football record of 126–42–7...
in the early 1920s. Another milestone came under Henderson in 1922, when USC joined the Pacific Coast Conference
Pacific Coast Conference
The Pacific Coast Conference was a college athletic conference in the United States which existed from 1915 to 1959. Though the Pacific-12 Conference claims the PCC's history as part of its own, the older league had a completely different charter and was disbanded in 1959 due to a major crisis...
(PCC), the forerunner of the modern Pac-10. Success continued under coach Howard Jones from 1925 to 1940, when the Trojans were just one of a few nationally dominant teams. It was during this era that the team achieved renown as the "Thundering Herd", earning its first four national titles.
1940s–1950s
USC achieved intermittent success in the years following Jones' tenure. Jeff CravathJeff Cravath
Newell "Jeff" Cravath was an American football coach best known as the head coach of the USC Trojans football team from 1942-1950. He compiled a 54-28-8 record while coaching at USC, and is known to have introduced the T formation to the USC program. Jeff was a nickname given to him when he was...
, who coached from 1942–1950, won the Rose Bowl in 1943 and 1945. Jess Hill
Jess Hill
Jesse Terrill Hill was an American athlete, coach and college administrator who was best known for his tenure as a coach and athletic director at the University of Southern California. His career spanned six decades...
, who coached from 1951 to 1956, won the Rose Bowl in 1953.
The late 1950s saw a "pay-for-play" scandal involving several PCC schools, including USC, tear the conference apart. The PCC eventually dissolved in 1959, and USC joined the PCC's other three California schools and Washington
Washington Huskies
Washington Huskies is the nickname of the University of Washington's athletic teams. The school is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. The athletic program is made up of 9 men's sports and 10 women's sports Washington Huskies is the nickname of the University of Washington's athletic teams. The...
in immediately forming a new conference, the Athletic Association of Western Universities, under a new charter. After absorbing all of the PCC's final members except for Idaho
Idaho Vandals
The Idaho Vandals are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Idaho. They participate in NCAA Division I - FBS in the Western Athletic Conference ....
, the AAWU would change its name to the Pacific-8 Conference in 1968, the Pacific-10 after the 1978 entry of Arizona
Arizona Wildcats
-Athletic program:The University of Arizona participates in the NCAA's Division I-A in the Pacific-12 Conference Arizona participates in the conference's South Division, along with Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, USC, and Utah...
and Arizona State, and the Pacific-12 after the 2011 entry of Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes
The University of Colorado Boulder sponsors 16 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's team are called the Buffaloes or Golden Buffaloes . "Lady Buffs" referred to the women's teams beginning in the 1970s, but was officially dropped in 1993...
and Utah
Utah Utes
The Utah Utes are the athletics teams of the University of Utah. They are named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. The men's basketball team is known as the "Runnin' Utes"; the women's basketball team, formerly known as the "Lady Utes," now prefers to be referred to as the "Utes"; and the...
. (The Pac-12 officially claims the PCC's history as its own, despite the change in charter.)
1960s–1970s
The program entered a new golden age upon the arrival of head coach John McKay (1960–1975). During this period the Trojans produced two Heisman Trophy winnersHeisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
(Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett
Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers...
and O.J. Simpson) and won four national championships (1962, 1967, 1972 and 1974). McKay's influence continued even after he departed for the NFL when an assistant coach, John Robinson (1976–1982), took over as head coach. Under Robinson, USC won another national championship in 1978 (shared with Alabama; ironically, USC defeated Alabama, 24–14, that same season) and two more players won the Heisman Trophy (Charles White
Charles White (American football)
Charles White is a former professional American football running back. He had a distinguished college career and later played in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams.-College football:...
and Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
).
On September 12, 1970, USC opened the season visiting the University of Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant
Bear Bryant
Paul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...
and became the first fully integrated team to play in the state of Alabama. The game, scheduled by Bryant, resulted in a dominating 42-21 win by the Trojans. More importantly, all six touchdowns scored by USC team were by African American players, two by USC running back Sam "Bam" Cunningham
Sam Cunningham
Samuel Lewis "Sam" Cunningham, Jr is a retired American football fullback. The media referred to him as Sam "Bam" Cunningham.-College career:...
, against an all-white Crimson Tide team. After the game, Bryant was able to persuade the university to allow African American players to play, hastening the racial integration of football at Alabama and in the South.
1980s–1990s
In the 1980s, USC football did not realize a national championship, though it continued to experience relative success, with top-20 APAP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
rankings and Pac-10 Conference championships. Under head coaches Ted Tollner
Ted Tollner
Ted Alfred Tollner is a football coach who has worked as a head coach in college football and was also formerly the passing game coordinator of the Oakland Raiders.-Playing career:...
(1983–1986) and Larry Smith (1987–1992), each winning the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
once, USC was recognized among the nation's top-ten teams three times. However, some alumni had grown accustomed to the programs' stature as a perennial national championship contender. In 1993, Robinson was named head coach a second time, leading the Trojans to a victory in the 1996 Rose Bowl over Northwestern
1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team
The 1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the 1995 NCAA Division I-A college football season.-Season:...
.
However, the winless streaks of 13 years (1983–1995, including the 1994 17–17 tie) to rival Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
and 8 years (1991–1998) to crosstown rival UCLA were unacceptable to many USC supporters. In 1998, head coach Paul Hackett took over the team, but posted an even more disappointing 19–18 record in three seasons. By 2000, some observers surmised that USC football's days of national dominance were fading; the football team's record of 37–35 from 1996 to 2001 was their second-worst over any five-year span in history (only the mark of 29–29–2 from 1956–1961 was worse), and the period marked the first and only time USC had been out of the final top 20 teams for four straight years.
2000–present
In 2009, USC was named “Team of the Decade” by both CBSSports.com and Football.com, as well as the “Program of the Decade” by SI.com, plus was No. 1 in CollegeFootballNews.com’s “5-Year Program Rankings” and was ranked No. 2 in ESPN.com’s “Prestige Rankings” among all schools since 1936 (behind Oklahoma).In 2001
2001 in sports
2001 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
, athletic director Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett
Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers...
released Hackett and hired Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll
Peter Clay Carroll is the head coach and executive Vice-President of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He is a former head coach of the New York Jets, New England Patriots and the University of Southern California Trojans football team.-Early life:Carroll attended Redwood High...
, a former NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
head coach. Carroll went 6–6 in his first year, losing to Utah
Utah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
in the Las Vegas Bowl
Las Vegas Bowl
The Maaco Bowl Las Vegas is an NCAA-sanctioned Division I-A post-season college football bowl game that has been played annually at 40,000-seat Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. since 1992. From 1992 to 1996, matchups featured the champion teams from the Big West and Mid-American...
, 10–6. Since then, his teams became highly successful, ranking among the top ten teams in the country, with the exception of 2009 in which the team lost four regular season games.
2002
USC opened 3–2 in 2002, suffering losses to Kansas StateKansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
and Washington State
Washington State Cougars football
The Washington State Cougars football team is the intercollegiate football team of Washington State University. The team is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference...
. However, the Trojans went on to win the rest of their games, completing the regular season 11–2 on the strength of senior quarterback Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
's breakout performance. After struggling for most of his collegiate career, Palmer excelled in the Pro Style offense installed by new offensive coordinator Norm Chow
Norm Chow
Norman Chow is the offensive coordinator for the Utah Utes, a position he started on January 22, 2011. He previously held the same position with UCLA, the NFL's Tennessee Titans, USC, North Carolina State, and Brigham Young University....
. In fact, Palmer's performance, particularly in the season-ending rivalry games against Notre Dame and UCLA, impressed so many pundits that he went on to win the Heisman Trophy, carrying every region of voting and becoming the first USC quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
to be so honored. Despite tying for the Pac-10 title (with Washington State), having the highest BCS "strength of schedule" rating, and fielding the nation's top defense led by safety Troy Polamalu
Troy Polamalu
Troy Aumua Polamalu is an American football strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He played college football at the University of Southern California.-High school:Troy Polamalu graduated...
, USC finished the season ranked No. 5 in the BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
rankings. Facing off against BCS No. 3 Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in the Orange Bowl, USC defeated the Hawkeyes 38–17.
2003
In 2003, highly touted but unproven redshirt sophomore Matt Leinart
Matt Leinart
Matthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
took over for Palmer at quarterback. Although his first pass
Forward pass
In several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown in the direction that the offensive team is trying to move, towards the defensive team's goal line...
went for a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
in a win over Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
, the Trojans suffered an early season triple-overtime loss to conference rival California
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
in Berkeley. Nevertheless, Carroll guided the team to wins in their remaining games and they completed the regular season 11–1. Before the postseason, both the coaches' poll and the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
ranked USC number #1, but the BCS - which also gave consideration to computer rankings - ranked Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
first, another one-loss team but one that had lost its own Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
title game 35–7, with USC ranked third.
In the 2003 BCS National Championship Game, the Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
, BCS #2 LSU
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
defeated BCS #1 Oklahoma 21–14. Meanwhile, BCS #3 USC defeated BCS #4 Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
28–14 in the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
. USC finished the season ranked #1 in the AP poll and was awarded the AP National Championship; LSU, however, won the BCS National Championship title for that year, prompting a split national title between LSU and USC. In the wake of the controversy, corporate sponsors emerged who were willing to organize an LSU-USC game to settle the matter; nevertheless, the NCAA refused to permit the matchup.
2004
In 2004, USC was picked preseason #1 by the Associated Press, thanks to the return of Leinart as well as sophomore running backs LenDale WhiteLenDale White
LenDale Anthony White is an American football running back. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California....
and Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
. The defense—led by All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n defensive tackles Shaun Cody
Shaun Cody
Shaun Michael Cody is an American football defensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early years:Cody attended Los Altos High School in...
and Mike Patterson, as well as All-American linebackers Lofa Tatupu
Lofa Tatupu
-Seattle Seahawks:Tatupu quickly established himself as one of the top defensive players in the league as a rookie in 2005, in which he was named to the Pro Bowl, while leading the NFC Champion Seahawks in tackles, with 104, en route to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history...
and Matt Grootegoed
Matt Grootegoed
Matt Grootegoed is a professional gridiron football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
—was considered to be among the finest in the nation. Key questions included the offensive line, with few returning starters, and the receiving corps, which had lost previous year's senior Keary Colbert
Keary Colbert
Patrick Keary Jerel Colbert is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
and the breakout star of 2003, Mike Williams. Williams had tried to enter the NFL draft a year early during the Maurice Clarett
Maurice Clarett
Maurice Edward Clarett is an American football running back for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. During his freshman year at Ohio State University in 2002, he helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship...
trial, only to be rebuffed by the NFL and subsequently denied eligibility by the NCAA.
Despite close calls against Stanford and California, the Trojans finished the regular season undefeated and headed for the 2004 BCS Championship Game at the Orange Bowl. USC was the second team in NCAA football history to have gone wire-to-wire (ranked first place from preseason to postseason since the AP began releasing preseason rankings); the first was Florida State
Florida State Seminoles football
The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in college football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in NCAA Division I-FBS and are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
in 1999 (three other schools went wire-to-wire before the existence of preseason polls - Notre Dame in 1943, Army
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
in 1945 and USC in 1972). Quarterback Leinart won the Heisman Trophy, with running back Bush placing fifth in the vote tally. The Trojans' opponent in the Orange Bowl, Oklahoma, were themselves undefeated and captained by sixth-year quarterback Jason White, who had won the Heisman in 2003; the game marked the first time in NCAA history that two players who had already won the Heisman played against each other. Most analysts expected the game to be close—as USC matched its speed and defense against the Oklahoma running game and skilled offensive line—but the reality proved to be far different. USC scored 38 points by halftime, and won the BCS National Championship Game by the score of 55–19, making them the BCS Champions and earning the team the AP National Championship as well.
In June 2010, after a four-year investigation, the NCAA imposed sanctions against the Trojan football program for a "lack of institutional control," including a public reprimand and censure, a two-year postseason ban, a loss of 30 scholarships over three years, and vacation of all wins in which Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
participated as an ineligible player, including the 2005 Orange Bowl
2005 Orange Bowl
The 2005 Orange Bowl represented the BCS National Championship Game of the 2004 season and was played on January 4, 2005 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida....
, in which the Trojans won the BCS National Championship.
Following the NCAA sanctions, BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock stated that a committee would decide whether to vacate USC's 2004 BCS Championship, but the final decision would be delayed until after the NCAA had heard USC's appeals against some of the sanctions. On July 20, 2010, incoming USC president Max Nikias
C. L. Max Nikias
Chrysostomos L. "Max" Nikias is the current President of the University of Southern California . His term as the 11th president of the university began on August 3, 2010.-Personal life and education:...
stated that the school would remove jerseys and murals displayed in Bush's honor from its facilities, and would return the school's copy of Bush's Heisman Trophy. On September 14, Bush announced that he would forfeit the Heisman and return his copy of the trophy.
On May 26, 2011, NCAA upheld all findings and penalties against USC in their infractions case on former players Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
and O.J. Mayo. The USC football team will not participate in the Pacific-12 Football Championship Game
Pacific-12 Football Championship Game
The Pacific-12 Championship Game is a college football game that will be held by the Pacific-12 Conference each year to determine the Pacific-12 Conference's season champion. The inaugural game will be held December 2, 2011 at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT...
or a bowl game for the 2011–12 season. The BCS announced June 6, 2011, that it had stripped USC of the 2004 title, yet USC still retains the 2004 AP National Championship.
2005
The 2005 regular season witnessed a resuscitation of the rivalry with Notre Dame, after a last second play in which senior quarterback Matt Leinart scored the winning touchdown with help from a controversial push from behind by running back Reggie Bush, nicknamed the "Bush Push". The year climaxed with a 66–19 USC defeat of cross-town rival UCLA. Running back Reggie BushReggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
finished his stellar year by winning the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
(later returned by USC and reclaimed by the Heisman Trophy Trust considering Bush accepted improper benefits while at USC and was ineligible during the 2005 season), while Leinart finished third in the Heisman voting. Several other players also earned accolades, being named All-Americans (AP, Football Coaches, Football Writers, Walter Camp, ESPN.com, SI.com, CBS Sportsline.com, Rivals.com, Collegefootballnews.com). These include QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush, RB LenDale White, S Darnell Bing
Darnell Bing
Darnell Bing is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, OT Taitusi Lutui
Taitusi Lutui
Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui is a Tongan-born American athlete who currently plays professional American football for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League . His position is offensive lineman...
, OT Sam Baker, WR Dwayne Jarrett
Dwayne Jarrett
Dwayne Jarrett is an American football wide receiver formerly of the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the second round the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early years:Jarrett attended New Brunswick...
, C Ryan Kalil
Ryan Kalil
Ryan Kalil is an American football offensive lineman for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Drafted by Carolina in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Kalil played college football at the University of Southern California...
, OG Fred Matua
Fred Matua
Fred Matua is an American football guard that is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, and DE Lawrence Jackson
Lawrence Jackson
-Seattle Seahawks:Jackson was selected with the 28th pick in the 2008 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He was the fourth defensive end taken in the first round ....
. Additionally, OL Winston Justice
Winston Justice
Winston Frederick Justice is an American football offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
did well enough to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft. The regular season ended with two clear cut contenders facing off in the Rose Bowl to decide the national championship. Although USC and Texas were 12–0 entering the game, with USC the slight favorite, USC lost to Texas 41–38.
As with the 2004 season, later NCAA investigations into alleged improper benefits given to Reggie Bush altered the official record of the 2005 Trojan season. All twelve wins from the 2005 season were officially vacated.
2006
For the 2006 football season, USC tried to rebuild its strength following the loss of offensive stalwarts Leinart, Bush, and White, defensive leader Bing, and offensive linemen Matua, Justice, and Lutui. The Trojans developed their offense using unproven QB John David BootyJohn David Booty
John David Booty is an American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He last played for the Houston Texans until being cut on September 4, 2010. He played college football at USC.Booty has also been a member of the Tennessee Titans...
and returning star receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith
Steve Smith (New York Giants)
Steve Smith is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
along with second-year wide-out Patrick Turner. Mark Sanchez
Mark Sanchez
Mark Travis John Sanchez is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League . He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the fifth overall selection by the Jets and the second quarterback taken overall...
, the highly touted QB of the recruiting class of 2005 (Mission Viejo High School
Mission Viejo High School
Mission Viejo High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Mission Viejo, California, United States, as part of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The school has served the area since 1966. Students within its attendance boundaries live in western Mission...
) was widely viewed as a dark horse to win the starting job from Booty, although Booty was named the starter at the end of fall training camp. The starting tailback position was initially a battle between returning players Chauncey Washington and Desmond Reed (both recovering from injuries) and heralded recruits Stafon Johnson (Dorsey High School in Los Angeles), C.J. Gable
C.J. Gable
C. J. Gable is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
, Allen Bradford and Emmanuel Moody
Emmanuel Moody
Emmanuel Moody is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
.
The 2006 Trojans came out strong, easily defending their top-10 status throughout the year. However, USC began to display marked inconsistencies, as their margins of victory began to slip. The first setback proved to be a 31–33 loss to unranked Oregon State
Oregon State Beavers football
The Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in NCAA Division I-A college football. The team first fielded an organized football team in 1893 and is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. The head coach is Mike Riley, with Danny Langsdorf as the offensive...
, in which the Beavers were able to repeatedly capitalize on several Trojan turnovers. Surprisingly, though USC dropped initially in the polls, they worked their way back up to the No. 3 spot by the final week of the season. After defeating both Notre Dame and Cal, the Trojans were considered to be a virtual lock for the National Championship Game against Ohio State. However, USC was shocked in the final game of the season, losing to crosstown rival UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
13–9. This eliminated the Trojans from championship contention and opened the door for Florida
2006 Florida Gators football team
The 2006 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2006 college football season...
to become Ohio State's opponent.
On January 6, 2007, 6 days after the Rose Bowl Game
2007 Rose Bowl
The 2007 Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 2007 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It was the 93rd Rose Bowl Game and part of the 2006-2007 Bowl Championship Series at the conclusion of the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
, USC kicker Mario Danelo
Mario Danelo
Mario Danelo was an American college football placekicker.-High school career:Danelo was an all–Los Angeles linebacker at San Pedro High School in San Pedro, California. Danelo was also a fullback and kicker at his high school...
was found dead at the bottom of the White Point Cliff near Point Fermin Lighthouse in San Pedro, California.
2007
In July 2007, ESPN.comESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
named USC its #1 team of the decade for the period between 1996 and 2006, citing the Trojans' renaissance and dominance under Coach Carroll.
The 2007 Trojans
2007 USC Trojans football team
The 2007 University of Southern California Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the college football season of 2007–2008, winning a share of the Pacific-10 Conference Championship and winning the 2008 Rose Bowl...
were the presumptive #1 pick before the season. However they lost two games, including a major upset
2007 Stanford vs. Southern California football game
The 2007 Stanford vs. Southern California football game was a college football game held on October 6, 2007, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. In a remarkable upset, the visiting Stanford Cardinal won 24–23. Southern California was favored by 41 points over Stanford,...
to 41-point underdog Stanford
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
, and they did not get into the National Championship game. However, the Trojans did win their sixth conference championship and defeated Illinois in the 2008 Rose Bowl
2008 Rose Bowl
The 2008 Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi, the 94th Rose Bowl Game, played on January 1, 2008 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, was a college football bowl game. The contest was televised on ABC, the 20th straight year the network aired the Rose Bowl, starting at 4:30pm EST...
Game.
Under Carroll, USC has been known to attract numerous celebrities to its practices, including USC alumni Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell
John William "Will" Ferrell is an American comedian, impressionist, actor, and writer. Ferrell first established himself in the late 1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, and has subsequently starred in the comedy films Old School, Elf, Anchorman, Talladega...
, George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
, LeVar Burton
LeVar Burton
Levardis Robert Martyn Burton, Jr. , professionally known as LeVar Burton, is an American actor, director, producer and author who first came to prominence portraying Kunta Kinte in the 1977 award-winning ABC television miniseries Roots, based on the novel by Alex Haley...
and Sophia Bush
Sophia Bush
Sophia Anna Bush is an American actress, director and spokesperson. She currently stars in the CW television series One Tree Hill where she portrays Brooke Davis. Bush is additionally known for her film portrayals in the 2007 remake The Hitcher, John Tucker Must Die and The Narrows.-Early...
as well as Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, Henry Winkler
Henry Winkler
Henry Franklin Winkler, OBE is an American actor, director, producer, and author.Winkler is best known for his role as Fonzie on the 1970s American sitcom Happy Days...
, Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Caroline Dunst is an American actress, singer and model. She made her film debut in Oedipus Wrecks, a short film directed by Woody Allen for the anthology New York Stories...
, Nick Lachey
Nick Lachey
Nicholas Scott "Nick" Lachey is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and television personality. Lachey rose to fame as a member of the boy band 98 Degrees. He later starred in the reality television series Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica with his then-wife, Jessica Simpson. He has released...
, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
, Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Jayne Milano is an American actress and former singer, known for her childhood role as Samantha Micelli in the sitcom Who's the Boss? and an eight-year stint as Phoebe Halliwell on the series Charmed. She was also a series regular on the original Melrose Place portraying the role of...
, Flea, Wilmer Valderrama
Wilmer Valderrama
Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama is an American actor and television personality, known for the role of Fez in the sitcom That '70s Show, hosting the MTV series Yo Momma, and voicing the character of Manny in the children's show Handy Manny.-Early life:Valderrama was born in Miami, Florida the son of...
, Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jacob Benjamin "Jake" Gyllenhaal is an American actor. The son of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, Gyllenhaal began acting at age ten...
and Andre 3000
André 3000
André Lauren Benjamin , better known by his stage name André 3000 is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, best known for being part of American hip-hop duo OutKast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi...
. The Trojans have also benefited from LA's lack of NFL teams
History of the National Football League in Los Angeles
Professional American football, especially its established top level, the National Football League, has had a long history in Los Angeles, the center of the second-largest media market in the United States. Since 1995, Los Angeles has been by far the largest U.S. market without an NFL team...
(with the LA Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
and Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
having left in the early 1990s), combined with the Trojans 21st century success, leading them to sometimes be called LA's "de facto NFL team."
During Pete Carroll's first eight years as head coach, USC has lost only one game by more than seven points, a 27–16 loss at Notre Dame in his first season, until the second half of the 2009 season. The 21st century has also seen the rise of USC football's popularity in the Los Angeles market: without any stadium expansions, USC has broken its average home attendance record four times in a row: reaching 77,804 in 2003, 85,229 in 2004, 90,812 in 2005 and over 91,416 with one game to go in 2006 (the capacity of the Coliseum is 92,000). As of 2009, USC is one of only four of the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) teams to have never played a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) team since the split of Division I football in 1978.
2008
After beating Penn State2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
The 2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the 2008 college football season. The team is coached by Joe Paterno and plays its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.-Previous season:...
in the Rose Bowl
2009 Rose Bowl
The 2009 Rose Bowl, the 95th edition of the annual game, was a college football bowl game played on Thursday, January 1, 2009 at the same-named stadium in Pasadena, California. Because of sponsorship by Citi, the first game in the 2009 edition of the Bowl Championship Series was officially titled...
, USC finished the season 12–1, and ranked #2 in the Coaches' Poll and #3 in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
. The 2008 season culminated in USC's seventh straight Pac-10 Championship, seventh straight BCS bowl appearance and seventh straight finish in the top 4 of the AP Poll. This also marked seven consecutive seasons where USC has not lost a game by more than 7 points. Their only loss was on the road against Oregon State, which was mentioned in the preseason as a possible upset.
2009
After beating Boston College2009 Boston College Eagles football team
The 2009 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College in the 2009 season as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Eagles were led by first-year head coach Frank Spaziani. He replaced Jeff Jagodzinski who was fired after the 2008 season...
in the Emerald Bowl
2009 Emerald Bowl
The 2009 Emerald Bowl was the eighth edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. The game started at 5:00 PM PST on Saturday, December 26, 2009. The game was telecast on ESPN. USC defeated Boston College 24–13.The presenting sponsor of the...
, USC finished the season 9–4, and ranked #20 in the Coaches' Poll and #22 in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
. USC ended its seven-year streak of Pac-10 Championship, BCS bowl appearance and top 4 finish of the AP Poll. The Trojans started the season strong beating #8 Ohio State
2009 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes football team competed in football on behalf of The Ohio State University for the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Buckeyes were coached by Jim Tressel and played their home games in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. They finished with a record of 11–2 and...
at The Horseshoe
Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team and is located on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The stadium was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service on March 22, 1974...
. But they would lose to four Pac-10 teams (Washington
2009 Washington Huskies football team
The 2009 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington in the college football season of 2009-2010. The team's head coach was Steve Sarkisian. The Huskies played their home games at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington...
, Oregon
2009 Oregon Ducks football team
The 2009 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon in the college football season of 2009. The team was led by head coach Chip Kelly in his first season as a head coach at the Division I FBS level. Kelly was only the third Ducks head coach since 1977 and led the Ducks to a...
, Stanford
2009 Stanford Cardinal football team
The 2009 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinal was coached by third-year coach Jim Harbaugh and played their home games at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California....
, and Arizona
2009 Arizona Wildcats football team
The 2009 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Wildcats, led by sixth-year head coach Mike Stoops, played their home games at Arizona Stadium....
). Blowout losses to Oregon 47-20 and Stanford 55-21 marked a turning point in USC's season and sparked debate in the media about the future dominance of USC football. After the season concluded, head coach Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll
Peter Clay Carroll is the head coach and executive Vice-President of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He is a former head coach of the New York Jets, New England Patriots and the University of Southern California Trojans football team.-Early life:Carroll attended Redwood High...
resigned to accept a head coaching position with the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
.
In 2009, USC was named “Team of the Decade” by both CBSSports.com and Football.com, as well as the “Program of the Decade” by SI.com, plus was No. 1 in CollegeFootballNews.com’s “5-Year Program Rankings” and was ranked No. 2 in ESPN.com’s “Prestige Rankings” among all schools since 1936 (behind Oklahoma).
2011
On February 9, 2010, Commissioner Larry Scott announced that the Pac-10 would be considering expanding to twelve schools. The Pac-10 Conference officially became the Pac-12 Conference following the addition of ColoradoColorado Buffaloes
The University of Colorado Boulder sponsors 16 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's team are called the Buffaloes or Golden Buffaloes . "Lady Buffs" referred to the women's teams beginning in the 1970s, but was officially dropped in 1993...
and Utah
Utah Utes
The Utah Utes are the athletics teams of the University of Utah. They are named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. The men's basketball team is known as the "Runnin' Utes"; the women's basketball team, formerly known as the "Lady Utes," now prefers to be referred to as the "Utes"; and the...
on July 1, 2011.
In 2011, USC won the South Division by finishing conference play with a 7-2 record, including wins over Oregon and UCLA. USC's 50-0 win over UCLA was the largest margin of victory in the rivalry since 1930. Despite winning the South, USC is not eligible to play in the Pac-12 championship game. This penalty was handed down by the PAC-12 in addition to the other sanctions imposed by the NCAA on USC. Pac-12 North champion Oregon (8-1 Conf) will play South runner-up UCLA (5-4 Conf) for the Pac-12 Championship on December, 2nd, 2011 (http://www.pac-12.org/portals/7/images/Football/fcg/index.html).
Rivalries
In the first 30 years of USC football, the school maintained rivalries with local Southern California schools like OccidentalOccidental College
Occidental College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1887, Occidental College, or "Oxy" as it is called by students and alumni, is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast...
and Pomona
Pomona College
Pomona College is a private, residential, liberal arts college in Claremont, California. Founded in 1887 in Pomona, California by a group of Congregationalists, the college moved to Claremont in 1889 to the site of a hotel, retaining its name. The school enrolls 1,548 students.The founding member...
, but these ended by the 1920s when USC joined the PCC and grew into a national caliber team.
A "Perfect Day"
A "Perfect Day" (a phrase created by the school's football announcer Peter Arbogast) to any USC fan is a USC win coupled with losses by Notre Dame and UCLA. On October 22, 2011, USC defeated Notre Dame, and on the previous Thursday night (Oct. 20, 2011) UCLA lost to Arizona, creating an "Extended Perfect Day." The last "Perfect Day" occurred on November 26, 2011, when USC beat UCLA and Notre Dame lost to Stanford. There have been 36 "Perfect Days" since 1960, with 35 occurring on a single day.| Perfect Days since 1960 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Date | USC victory over |
UCLA defeated by |
Notre Dame defeated by |
|||
| 1960 | October 15 | 27–10 | Washington | 10–8 | 21–0 | ||
| November 19 | 17–6 | USC | 17–6 | Iowa 1960 Iowa Hawkeyes football team The 1960 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1960 college football season. The Hawkeyes were co-Big Ten champions along with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Golden Gophers were selected to represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl.-Schedule:-Team... |
28–0 | ||
| 1962 | October 20 | 32–6 | 8–6 | 31–7 | |||
| October 27 | 28–16 | 17–7 | 35–6 | ||||
| 1963 | November 9 | 25–11 | 48–21 | 27–7 | |||
| 1971 | October 23 | 28–14 | 24–31 | USC | 28–14 | ||
| 1975 | October 4 | Purdue 1975 Purdue Boilermakers football team The 1975 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 1975 college football season.-Schedule:-Starters:... |
27–16 | Ohio State 1975 Ohio State Buckeyes football team The 1975 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1975-1976. The Buckeyes compiled a 11–1 record, including the 1976 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where they lost 23–10 to the UCLA Bruins.In 1975, Archie Griffin would... |
41–20 | 10–3 | |
| 1978 | September 23 | Alabama | 24–14 | 28–24 | Michigan 1978 Michigan Wolverines football team The 1978 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1978 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler... |
28–14 | |
| 1981 | September 26 | 28–24 | Iowa 1981 Iowa Hawkeyes football team The 1981 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1981 college football season. The Hawks were 6-2 in conference play and were Big Ten co-champions. Iowa went to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 23 years. Their previous appearance was following the 1958 season,... |
20–7 | 15–14 | ||
| November 21 | UCLA | 22–21 | USC | 22–21 | Penn State | 24–21 | |
| 1984 | October 6 | 29–27 | 23–21 | 31–13 | |||
| 1985 | November 23 | UCLA | 17–13 | USC | 17–13 | 10–7 | |
| 1986 | October 4 | 35–21 | 16–9 | Alabama | 28–10 | ||
| 1987 | November 21 | UCLA | 17–13 | USC | 17–13 | Penn State | 21–20 |
| 1990 | October 6 | 30–17 | 28–21 | 36–31 | |||
| November 17 | 45–42 | USC | 45–42 | Penn State | 24–21 | ||
| 1991 | September 14 | Penn State | 21–10 | Tennessee 1991 Tennessee Volunteers football team The 1991 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Volunteers offense scored 352 points while the defense allowed 263 points. Led by head coach Johnny Majors, the Volunteers competed in the .-Schedule:-Team players... |
30–16 | Michigan | 24–14 |
| 1994 | October 8 | 27–19 | 26–7 | 30–11 | |||
| October 15 | 27–20 | 23–14 | 21–14 | ||||
| 1999 | November 20 | 17–7 | USC | 17–7 | 31–29 | ||
| 2001 | October 27 | 41–34 | 38–28 | 21–17 | |||
| November 3 | 16–13 | Washington State 2001 Washington State Cougars football team The 2001 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University in the college football season of 2001-2002. The team's head coach was Mike Price. It played its home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington.-Schedule:... |
20–14 | Tennessee 2001 Tennessee Volunteers football team The 2001 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2001 college football season. The team was coached by Phillip Fulmer. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed in the Eastern Division of the SEC... |
28–18 | ||
| 2003 | November 1 | Washington State 2003 Washington State Cougars football team The 2003 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team was led by first-year head coach Bill Doba, and played its home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington.... |
43–16 | 21–14 | Florida State 2003 Florida State Seminoles football team -Schedule:... |
37–0 | |
| 2004 | October 23 | Washington | 38–0 | Arizona State 2004 Arizona State Sun Devils football team The Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. It played its home games at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.-Schedule:... |
48–42 | Boston College | 24–23 |
| 2007 | September 15 | Nebraska 2007 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team The 2007 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bill Callahan and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.... |
49–31 | Utah 2007 Utah Utes football team The 2007 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team was coached by 3rd year head football coach Kyle Whittingham... |
44–6 | Michigan 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team The 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2007 college football season. This was Lloyd Carr's final season as Michigan head coach. The 2007 season began with a stunning loss to Appalachian State, but the Wolverines won eight straight games after... |
38–0 |
| November 3 | Oregon State 2007 Oregon State Beavers football team The 2007 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team's head coach is Mike Riley. Home games are played at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon.-Season notes:... |
24–3 | 34–27 | Navy | 46–44 | ||
| November 10 | California 2007 California Golden Bears football team The 2007 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2007-2008 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and were coached by Jeff Tedford.... |
24–17 | Arizona State 2007 Arizona State Sun Devils football team The 2007 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team played its home games at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.-Schedule:-San Jose State:... |
24–20 | Air Force 2007 Air Force Falcons football team The 2007 United States Air Force Academy Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the college football season of 2007–2008, getting second place in the Mountain West Conference, and losing the Armed Forces Bowl to California... |
41–24 | |
| 2008 | October 11 | Arizona State 2008 Arizona State Sun Devils football team The 2008 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represents Arizona State University in the college football season of 2008-2009. It plays its home games at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.... |
28–0 | Oregon 2008 Oregon Ducks football team The 2008 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon in the college football season of 2008. This was the final season for Mike Bellotti as the Ducks' head coach; he was promoted to become the school's athletic director after the season. The Ducks played their home games at... |
31–24 | North Carolina 2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team The 2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team began their season on August 30 against McNeese State at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The team originally went 4–4 in conference play and 8–5 overall, but in 2011, North Carolina vacated all its wins from the 2008 and 2009 seasons.-Recruiting:The Tar... |
29–24 |
| November 8 | California 2008 California Golden Bears football team The 2008 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2008-2009 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and are coached by Jeff Tedford... |
17–3 | Oregon State 2008 Oregon State Beavers football team The 2008 Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head coach is Mike Riley... |
34–6 | Boston College 2008 Boston College Eagles football team The 2008 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Boston College's fourth season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The Eagles were led by... |
17–0 | |
| 2009 | October 17 | Notre Dame 2009 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team The 2009 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2009 college football season. Charlie Weis entered his fifth season as head coach with the expectation from the Notre Dame administration that his team would be in position to compete for a BCS Bowl berth... |
34–27 | California 2009 California Golden Bears football team The 2009 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition during the 2009 season... |
45–26 | USC 2009 USC Trojans football team The 2009 University of Southern California Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the college football season of 2009–2010. The team played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and was coached by Pete Carroll, who was in his ninth and final... |
34–27 |
| November 28 | UCLA 2009 UCLA Bruins football team The 2009 UCLA Bruins football team , under second year head coach Rick Neuheisel, opened the season at the Rose Bowl on September 5 against San Diego State. One scheduling change was that the last game of the season against USC was moved from the "Championship Saturday" weekend of December... |
28–7 | USC 2009 USC Trojans football team The 2009 University of Southern California Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the college football season of 2009–2010. The team played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and was coached by Pete Carroll, who was in his ninth and final... |
28–7 | Stanford 2009 Stanford Cardinal football team The 2009 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinal was coached by third-year coach Jim Harbaugh and played their home games at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California.... |
45–38 | |
| 2010 | September 11 | Virginia 2010 Virginia Cavaliers football team The 2010 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2010 season as a member of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers, led by first year head coach Mike London, played their home games at Scott Stadium and are members of the Coastal... |
17–14 | Stanford 2010 Stanford Cardinal football team The 2010 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Cardinal were led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was in his 4th and final season before leaving to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers... |
35–0 | Michigan 2010 Michigan Wolverines football team The 2010 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Michigan played its home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan and competed in the Big Ten Conference. The season was the first since the renovation of... |
28–24 |
| 2011 | September 3 | Minnesota 2011 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team The 2011 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represent the University of Minnesota for the 2011 college football season. The Golden Gophers are members of the Big Ten Conference and play their home games at TCF Bank Stadium... |
19–17 | Houston 2011 Houston Cougars football team The 2011 Houston Cougars football team represents the University of Houston in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It is the 66th year of season play for Houston... |
38–34 | USF 2011 South Florida Bulls football team The 2011 South Florida Bulls football team will represent the University of South Florida in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The USF Bulls will play their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The 2011 college football season will be the 15th season overall for the... |
23–20 |
| October 22* | Notre Dame 2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team The 2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represents the University of Notre Dame in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Fighting Irish are led by second year head coach Brian Kelly and play their home games at Notre Dame Stadium... |
31-17 | Arizona 2011 Arizona Wildcats football team The 2011 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team plays their home games in Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona... |
48-12 | USC 2011 USC Trojans football team The 2011 USC Trojans football team represents the University of Southern California in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Trojans are led by head coach Lane Kiffin in his 2nd season... |
31-17 | |
| November 26 | UCLA 2011 UCLA Bruins football team The 2011 UCLA Bruins football team represents the University of California, Los Angeles in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team is coached by fourth year head coach Rick Neuheisel and plays their home games in Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California... |
50–0 | USC 2011 USC Trojans football team The 2011 USC Trojans football team represents the University of Southern California in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Trojans are led by head coach Lane Kiffin in his 2nd season... |
50–0 | Stanford 2011 Stanford Cardinal football team The 2011 Stanford Cardinal football team represents Stanford University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Cardinal is led by former offensive coordinator and new head coach David Shaw, as Jim Harbaugh departed following the 2010 season in order to become the head coach of... |
28–14 | |
| *: UCLA's game against Arizona occurred on Thursday, 10-20-2011 | |||||||
| Note: There were no Perfect Days in 1961, 1964–1970, 1972–1974, 1976–1977, 1979–1980, 1982–1983, 1988–1989, 1992–1993, 1995–1998, 2000, 2002, or 2005–2006. |
|||||||
Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
each year for the Jeweled Shillelagh
Jeweled Shillelagh
The Jeweled Shillelagh is passed between the annual winner of the college football game between the University of Southern California Trojans and the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The shillelagh, an Irish war club, is made of oak or blackthorn saplings from Ireland...
. A majority of Trojan alumni and fans consider the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to be USC’s greatest gridiron rival. The intersectional game has featured more national championship teams, Heisman trophy winners, All-Americans, and future NFL hall-of-famers than any other collegiate match-up. The two schools have kept the annual game on their schedules since 1926 (except 1943–45 because of World War II travel restrictions) despite the fact that it enjoys neither the possibility of acquiring regional “bragging rights” nor the import of intra-league play that drive most rivalries. Notre Dame leads the series 43 wins to 34 wins. The game is often referred to as the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football.
UCLA
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
.
The crosstown rivals play each year for city bragging rights and the Victory Bell
Victory Bell (USC-UCLA)
The Victory Bell is an annual trophy given to either the University of Southern California or the University of California, Los Angeles. The winner of the annual USC-UCLA rivalry football contest keeps the bell for the next year, and paints it the school's color: "True Blue" for UCLA, or cardinal...
; and often for the right to go to the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
. The UCLA rivalry tends to draw the focus of student supporters since many USC students have friends or family members attending "that other school" (of course, many UCLA students refer to their USC friends in the same manner) and many Southern California families are evenly divided between Trojan Cardinal and Bruin Blue.
Stanford
Stanford is USC's oldest rival, in a series that dates to 1905. In the early years of football on the West Coast, the power sat in the Bay Area with the Stanford-Cal rivalry and USC rose to challenge the two established programs. During the early and mid-20th century Stanford football occasionally enjoyed periods of great regional success on the gridiron. USC and Stanford, being the two private universities with major football teams on the west coast, naturally drew the ire of one another. During the early 2000s, however, Stanford had not maintained their earlier success and the rivalry has faded to many USC fans. The rivalry was renewed with the arrival of Jim HarbaughJim Harbaugh
James Joseph "Jim" Harbaugh is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2011. Previously, he was the head coach at...
at Stanford in 2007. Harbaugh defeated Carroll 2-1 in their three matchups with both victories occurring in the Coliseum. In the 2009 meeting USC sustained their worst loss in 43 years and surrendered the most points to an opponent. This led the Los Angeles Times to declare that Stanford was "at the top of the USC 'Must Kill' list." Stanford has defeated USC in 4 of the last 5 meetings, winning in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
California
Like Stanford, the University of California, Berkeley also had an early rivalry with USC. USC lost in triple overtime to California in 2003, and some began to suggest that a new more intense rivalry between the Trojans and the Golden Bears was taking shape within the Pac-10. A close 2004 game between the two teams furthered feelings of an intense rivalry. Talk diminished with USC's 35-10 victory in Berkeley in 2005; however, the importance of the 2006 USC-Cal game, which decided the Pac-10's BCS berth, rekindled rivalry talk. In 2007 USC won 24-17, in a rainy contest. In 2008, USC shut down California's offense limiting them to only 3 points, in a 17-3 Trojan victory. In 2009 USC held Cal's offense to only 3 points and steamrolled to a 30-3 victory. Mostly recently in 2010, the game was lopsided from the beginning, by half time USC had scored 42, while Cal did not score at all. This 42-0 halftime score tied the largest deficit at halftime in Cal's history. USC controlled the rest of the game and won 48-14. In the past few years the rivalry has died down, mostly because of the recent lopsided USC victories.Tailback U
"Tailback U" is a nickname that emerged during the regime of Hall of Fame college football coach John McKay ('60–'75) and continued by his former offensive coordinator and immediate successor, John Robinson ('76–'82). Running plays of this era included Coach McKay's well-known "Student Body RightStudent Body Right
Student Body Right is the popular nickname for a simple running play in American football known as a sweep right, in which the tailback runs toward the right end of his offensive line at the snap of the ball and receives a pitch from his quarterback before reaching the line of scrimmage, while his...
" play, which emphasized hard-nosed running in the pass-friendly Pacific-10 Conference. McKay and Robinson produced a number of top-rated players at the tailback
Tailback
Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
position, including four Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winners. Standouts included Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett
Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers...
, O. J. Simpson
O. J. Simpson
Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson , nicknamed "The Juice", is a retired American collegiate and professional football player, football broadcaster, and actor...
, Anthony Davis, Ricky Bell
Ricky Bell (running back)
Ricky Lynn Bell younger brother of recording artist Archie Bell, was an American professional football player who played running back in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers from 1977 to 1982...
, Charles White
Charles White (American football)
Charles White is a former professional American football running back. He had a distinguished college career and later played in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams.-College football:...
, and Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
. Coach Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll
Peter Clay Carroll is the head coach and executive Vice-President of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He is a former head coach of the New York Jets, New England Patriots and the University of Southern California Trojans football team.-Early life:Carroll attended Redwood High...
('01–'09) continued the trend in later years with current NFL players Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, LenDale White
LenDale White
LenDale Anthony White is an American football running back. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California....
and Justin Fargas
Justin Fargas
Justin Fargas is an American football running back who is a Free Agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
.
#55
A recent tradition has a selected linebackerLinebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
wearing the number 55. The number cannot be taken but is assigned by the head coach. Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll
Peter Clay Carroll is the head coach and executive Vice-President of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He is a former head coach of the New York Jets, New England Patriots and the University of Southern California Trojans football team.-Early life:Carroll attended Redwood High...
had, at times, refrained from assigning the number if he did not think any player was worthy of it. The linebacker wearing #55 is typically regarded as the anchor of the defense.
Notable players who have worn #55 for USC include Junior Seau
Junior Seau
Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted fifth overall by the San Diego Chargers during the 1990 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Southern California and was the progenitor of the "NFL-USC linebacker".A ten-time All-Pro and...
, Willie McGinest
Willie McGinest
William Lee "Willie" McGinest, Jr. is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League.-Early life and career:...
, Markus Steele
Markus Steele
Markus Steele is an American football linebacker who played for the National Football League Dallas Cowboys and for the Denver Broncos.-College career:...
, Chris Claiborne
Chris Claiborne
Christopher Ashone Claiborne is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent.-High school career:...
, and Keith Rivers
Keith Rivers
Keith Rivers is an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bengals ninth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early life:Rivers was a highly decorated letterman in football at Lake...
; Seau, McGinest, Claiborne and Rivers were all top-10 picks in the NFL Draft. The Cincinnati Bengals made Rivers the ninth overall selection in the 2008 draft. Freshman Lamar Dawson is the most recent #55.
The last non-linebacker to wear #55 was offensive center John Katnik in 1989.
Fight On
A phrase commonly used by Trojan fans to greet one another or show support for the team, which is borrowed from the fight songFight On
"Fight On" is the fight song of the University of Southern California. It was composed in 1922 by USC dental student Milo Sweet, with lyrics by Sweet and Glen Grant, for a student spirit competition...
of the same name (i.e., "Fight On for ol' S.C./Our men Fight On to Victory..." The two finger "V" salute for Victory is often given in accompaniment. The term came from a LA Times article in regard to a USC vs. Stanford track meet. Though USC lost by a considerable amount, LA Times writer Olin Bird wrote that USC "Fought on like Trojans". Shortly after changing USC's team name from the "Fighting Methodists" to the "Trojans", "Fight On" was taken as its slogan amongst fans.
Current staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Lane Kiffin Lane Kiffin Lane Monte Kiffin is the current head coach of the University of Southern California Trojans college football team. He was previously the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers college football team, the Oakland Raiders of the NFL, and the offensive coordinator for the Trojans... |
Head Coach |
| Monte Kiffin Monte Kiffin Monte Kiffin is an American football coach. He is widely considered to be one of the preeminent defensive coordinators in modern football, as well as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history... |
Assistant Head Coach |
| John Baxter | Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator |
| Kennedy Polamalu | Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Coach |
| Ed Orgeron Ed Orgeron Ed Orgeron is an American football coach who is currently serving as the defensive coordinator/defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator for the USC Trojans. Orgeron previously served as the head football coach of the Ole Miss Rebels from 2005 to 2007... |
Defensive & Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach |
| Joe Barry Joe Barry Joe Barry is the linebackers coach for the University of Southern California, former linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the former defensive coordinator for the National Football League Detroit Lions. He is the son of former Detroit Lions assistant offensive line coach Mike Barry... |
Linebackers Coach |
| James Cregg James Cregg James Cregg is an American football coach.-College career:Cregg played college football at Colorado State University. He was an all Mountain West Conference offensive lineman in 1997... |
Offensive Line Coach |
| Clay Helton | Quarterbacks Coach |
| Ted Gilmore Ted Gilmore Ted Gilmore is the current Wide Receivers Coach for USC. He is a former Assistant Head Coach , Wide Receivers Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.-Early life:... |
Wide Receivers Coach |
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
is one of the largest stadiums in the U.S. USC has played football in the Coliseum ever since the grand stadium was built in 1923. In fact, the Trojans played in the first varsity football game ever held there (beating Pomona College
Pomona College
Pomona College is a private, residential, liberal arts college in Claremont, California. Founded in 1887 in Pomona, California by a group of Congregationalists, the college moved to Claremont in 1889 to the site of a hotel, retaining its name. The school enrolls 1,548 students.The founding member...
23–7 on October 6, 1923). The Coliseum was the site of the 1932 Summer Olympics
1932 Summer Olympics
The 1932 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the X Olympiad, was a major world wide multi-athletic event which was celebrated in 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States. No other cities made a bid to host these Olympics. Held during the worldwide Great Depression, many nations...
and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies and track events of the 1984 Olympic Games
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
. Over the years, the Coliseum has been home to many sports teams besides the Trojans, including UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
football, the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, the Los Angeles Chargers in 1960 of the AFL, and Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
baseball, including the 1959 World Series
1959 World Series
The 1959 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers beating the American League champion Chicago White Sox, four games to two. It was the first pennant for the White Sox in 40 years . They would have to wait until 2005 to win another championship...
. The Coliseum has hosted various other events, from concerts and speeches to track meets and motorcycle races. The Coliseum has a present full-capacity of 92,000 seats (almost all are chair-back seats). The Coliseum is located on 17 acres (68,796.6 m²) in Exposition Park
Exposition Park (Los Angeles)
Exposition Park is located in University Park, Los Angeles, California, across the street from the University of Southern California. Exposition Park houses the following:* Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum* Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena...
, which also houses museums, gardens and the Los Angeles Sports Arena. It has also earned the nickname, "The Grand Old Lady".
Howard Jones Field/Brian Kennedy Field
The USC football team practices on campus at Howard Jones FieldHoward Jones Field
Howard Jones Field is the practice facility for the USC Trojans football team. It was expanded in the fall of 1998 to include Brian Kennedy Field. In early 1999, Goux's Gate — named after the late popular long-time former assistant coach Marv Goux — was erected at the entrance to the practice...
, which was expanded in the fall of 1998 to include Brian Kennedy Field. In early 1999, Goux's Gate - named for the popular long-time assistant coach Marv Goux - was erected at the entrance to the practice field.
Results versus AP Top 10 opponents
USC's record against APAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
Top 10 opponents last 10 years
| Season | Opponent | Result | Game | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | #4 Oregon | W 38-35 | regular season | |
| 2011 | #4 Stanford | L-56-483OT |
regular season | |
| 2010 | #1 Oregon | L 53-32 | regular season | |
| 2009 | #10 Oregon | L 20-47 | regular season | |
| 2009 | #8 Ohio State | W 18-15 | regular season | |
| 2008 | #8 Penn State | W 38-24 | Rose Bowl Rose Bowl Game The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2... |
|
| 2008 | #5 Ohio State | W 35-3 | regular season | |
| 2007 | #7 Arizona State | W 44-24 | regular season | |
| 2007 | #5 Oregon | L 17-24 | regular season | |
| 2006 | #3 Michigan | W 32-18 | Rose Bowl Rose Bowl Game The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2... |
|
| 2006 | #6 Notre Dame | W 44-24 | regular season | |
| 2005 | #2 Texas | L 38-41 | Rose Bowl Rose Bowl Game The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2... * |
|
| 2005 | #9 Notre Dame | W 34-31 | regular season (vacated) | |
| 2004 | #2 Oklahoma | W 55-19 | Orange Bowl* (vacated) | |
| 2004 | #7 California | W 23-17 | regular season | |
| 2003 | #4 Michigan | W 28-14 | Rose Bowl Rose Bowl Game The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2... |
|
| 2003 | #6 Washington State | W 43-16 | regular season | |
| 2003 | #6 Auburn | W 23-0 | regular season | |
| 2002 | #3 Iowa | W 38-17 | Orange Bowl | |
| 2002 | #7 Notre Dame | W 44-13 | regular season | |
| 2001 | #7 Oregon | L 22-24 | regular season | |
| * Designated BCS National Championship game |
NCAA, conference, and school records
| Wins | Type of Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Consecutive Wins vs. Notre Dame: | 8 | School record (Note: 2005 victory vacated.) |
| Consecutive Losses vs. Notre Dame: | 11 | School record |
| Consecutive Conference Championships: | 7 | Pac-10 record (Note: the 2002, 2006, and 2007 titles were shared. All wins during 2005 have been vacated.) |
| Consecutive BCS bowl appearances: | 7 | FBS (I-A) record |
| BCS bowl wins: | 5 | FBS (I-A) record (Note: 2005 Orange Bowl win was vacated.) |
| Consecutive 11 win seasons: | 7 | FBS (I-A) record (Note: All 2005 victories vacated.) |
| Weeks at #1 in AP poll: | 33 | NCAA record |
| Consecutive Rose Bowl Championships: | 3 | All-time record |
National titles
USC claims 11 national titles, including seven from the wire service AP PollAP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and/or Coaches' Poll. Two of USC's championships, 1928 and 1939, are based on the Dickinson System
Dickinson System
The Dickinson System was a mathematical point formula that awarded national championships in college football. Devised by University of Illinois economics professor Frank G...
, a formula devised by a University of Illinois professor that awarded national championships between 1926 and 1940. The Dickinson System is cited in the Official 2010 NCAA FBS Record Book as a legitimate national title selector. USC's claim is consistent with other FBS programs that won the Dickinson title. In 2004, USC recognized the 1939 squad as one of their national championship teams. The 2004 team was forced to vacate the final two games of its season, including the 2005 Orange Bowl
2005 Orange Bowl
The 2005 Orange Bowl represented the BCS National Championship Game of the 2004 season and was played on January 4, 2005 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida....
due to NCAA sanctions incurred as a result of loss of institutional control, and namely, in connection with Reggie Bush. USC appealed the sanctions, delaying consideration of vacating USC's 2004 championship by the BCS. Ultimately, USC lost the appeals and forfeited the 2004 BCS championship. The AP has stated that it will not vacate its 2004 championship award given to USC and hence retains a share of the national title.
Here are the years USC recognizes a national championship:
|
||||
USC teams have also been selected as national champions in six other years (1929, 1933, 1976, 1979, 2002, 2008) by various nationally published ratings systems or voters. These ratings systems are not generally viewed as part of process of selecting the national championship. USC does not claim to have won titles in any of these years.
Pacific-12 conference titles
The Trojans have suffered only three losing seasons since 1961 and have captured 37 Pac-12 titles (including PCC titles, which today's Pac-12 recognizes as its own). This gives them the 4th most conference championships of any NCAA school, and twice as many as any other Pac-12 member team. From 2002 through 2008, the Trojans won or shared an unprecedented seven consecutive Pac-10 titles.Bowl games
The Trojans have played in 47 bowl gameBowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
s, a total that trails only Alabama's
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
58 bowl appearances. USC has the highest winning percentage in bowl games—66%—among teams with at least 15 bowl appearances. Finally, USC's 33 Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
appearances and 24 victories are the most of any school in a single bowl.
Individual awards
Individual players have won numerous accolades with six officially recognized Heisman TrophyHeisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winners, 34 College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
inductees, and 150 All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
ns. USC's first consensus All-American was offensive guard Brice Taylor
Brice Taylor
Brice Union Taylor was the first All-American football player at the University of Southern California.-High school career:Taylor played at Franklin High School in Seattle, Washington.-College career:...
in 1925, who notably excelled despite missing his left hand, and who was one of USC's first black players.
Heisman Trophy winners and retired numbers
Six USC players are currently recognized as Heisman TrophyHeisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winners. Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
won the 2005 award, but the school, and later Bush himself, forfeited the award.
|
||||
† - Vacated
All-century Trojan football team
selected by fan vote, published in the Orange County Register, November 17, 1999Offense
QB: Pat Haden
Pat Haden
Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981...
, 72-74
FB: Leroy Holt
Leroy Holt
Leroy Holt is a former American football fullback from the University of Southern California.-High school years:...
, 85-88
RB: O.J. Simpson, 67-68
RB: Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
, 78-81
WR: Keyshawn Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
, 94-95
WR: Lynn Swann
Lynn Swann
-Collegiate:Swann attended the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American on the Trojans football team. He played under legendary coach John McKay, including the 1972 undefeated and national championship season. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace." He...
, 71-73
TE: Charles Young
Charle Young
Charle Edward Young is a former American football tight end who played for 13 seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973–1976, the Los Angeles Rams from 1977–1979, the San Francisco 49ers from 1980–1982, and the Seattle Seahawks from...
, 70-72
OL: Ron Yary
Ron Yary
Anthony Ronald "Ron" Yary is a former professional American football offensive tackle, playing primarily for the Minnesota Vikings and also for the Los Angeles Rams. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001...
, 65-67
OL: Brad Budde
Brad Budde
Brad Edward Budde is a former American football offensive guard in the National Football League .-College career:...
, 76-79
OL: Tony Boselli
Tony Boselli
Don Anthony "Tony" Boselli, Jr. is a former American football offensive tackle. He spent nearly all of his professional career playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League ....
, 91-94
OL: Ron Mix
Ron Mix
Ronald Jack Mix , in Los Angeles, California was an American football player.Mix attended USC, and upon graduation played right tackle and guard for the American Football League's Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers and the NFL Oakland Raiders .- College career :A graduate of the University of Southern...
, 57-59
OL: Bruce Matthews, 80-82
3rd WR: Johnnie Morton
Johnnie Morton
Johnnie James "Big Play" Morton, Jr. is a former NFL wide receiver. Originally drafted by the Lions in the 1st round in the 1994 NFL Draft, he played in Detroit until 2002. He subsequently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played for three seasons. In 2005, he signed with the San...
, 90-93
PK: Steve Jordan, 81-84
Defense
DL: Tim Rossovich
Tim Rossovich
Timothy John "Tim" Rossovich is a retired American football linebacker and is currently an actor. He is the brother of actor Rick Rossovich....
, 65-67
DL: Marlin McKeever
Marlin McKeever
Marlin Thomas McKeever was an American football defensive end, fullback and punter at the University of Southern California and a tight end and linebacker during his 13-year National Football League career. He was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming.-College career:McKeever earned two-time All-America...
, 58-60
DL: Mike McKeever
Mike McKeever
Mike McKeever was a guard at the University of Southern California football team.-College career:McKeever earned All-America honors. He was also chosen to the academic All-America team. Mike and his brother Marlin McKeever were the first twins to earn All-America status...
, 58-60
DL: Aaron Rosenberg
Aaron Rosenberg
Aaron Rosenberg was a film director and producer. His film efforts included the box office hits The Glenn Miller Story and The Benny Goodman Story, as well as Mutiny on the Bounty.Born in Brooklyn, he studied at the University of Southern California and played college football...
, 31-33
LB: Junior Seau
Junior Seau
Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted fifth overall by the San Diego Chargers during the 1990 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Southern California and was the progenitor of the "NFL-USC linebacker".A ten-time All-Pro and...
, 88-89
LB: Richard Wood, 72-74
LB: Chris Claiborne
Chris Claiborne
Christopher Ashone Claiborne is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent.-High school career:...
, 96-98
DB: Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott
Ronald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his crushing hits on opposing players...
, 77-80
DB: Dennis Smith, 77-80
DB: Dennis Thurman
Dennis Thurman
Dennis Lee Thurman is a retired American football cornerback in the National Football League.- Early life :...
, 74-77
DB: Mark Carrier, 87-89
P : Desmond Koch, 51-53
KR: Anthony Davis, 72-74
All-time USC football team
Chosen by Athlon Sports in 2001 http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/7989/usc-all-time-teamOffense
WR: Lynn Swann
Lynn Swann
-Collegiate:Swann attended the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American on the Trojans football team. He played under legendary coach John McKay, including the 1972 undefeated and national championship season. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace." He...
71-73
WR: Keyshawn Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
92-95
TE: Hal Bedsole
Hal Bedsole
-College career:Bedsole played college football for the University of Southern California. He helped lead the USC Trojans to a national championship in 1962. Bedsole was a Two-time First Team All Pac-10 Conference selection and the first Trojan to have 200 receiving yards in a single game. He is...
61-63
OL: Ron Yary
Ron Yary
Anthony Ronald "Ron" Yary is a former professional American football offensive tackle, playing primarily for the Minnesota Vikings and also for the Los Angeles Rams. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001...
65-67
OL: Tay Brown
Tay Brown
Raymond "Tay" Brown was an All-America offensive tackle and captained the 1932 USC Trojans football squad which produced Howard Jones' only perfect season at USC.-College career:...
30-32
OL: Tony Boselli
Tony Boselli
Don Anthony "Tony" Boselli, Jr. is a former American football offensive tackle. He spent nearly all of his professional career playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League ....
91-94
OL: John Baker
Johnny Baker
John W. "Johnny" "Bake" Baker was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Southern California, where he was a two-time All-American at guard...
29-31
OL: Brad Budde
Brad Budde
Brad Edward Budde is a former American football offensive guard in the National Football League .-College career:...
76-79
OL: Anthony Munoz
Anthony Muñoz
Michael Anthony Muñoz , is a Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle who played most of his career for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals...
76-79
OL: Bruce Matthews 80-82
QB: Pat Haden
Pat Haden
Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981...
72-74
RB: Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett
Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers...
63-65
RB: O.J. Simpson 67-68
RB: Charles White
Charles White (American football)
Charles White is a former professional American football running back. He had a distinguished college career and later played in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams.-College football:...
76-79
RB: Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
78-81
PK: Quin Rodriguez 87-90
Defense
DL: Ernie Smith
Ernie Smith
Ernest Frederick Smith was an American football offensive tackle under coach Howard Jones of the University of Southern California. He also handled the placekicking and kickoff duties for the men of Troy...
30-32
DL: Tim Ryan
Tim Ryan (American football)
Timothy Edward Ryan is a former National Football League defensive tackle. He is currently an NFL analyst on the NFL on Fox and the host of "Movin' the Chains" on Sirius XM NFL Radio.-College career:...
86-89
DL: Harry Smith 37-39
DL: Aaron Rosenberg
Aaron Rosenberg
Aaron Rosenberg was a film director and producer. His film efforts included the box office hits The Glenn Miller Story and The Benny Goodman Story, as well as Mutiny on the Bounty.Born in Brooklyn, he studied at the University of Southern California and played college football...
31-33
LB: Chris Claiborne
Chris Claiborne
Christopher Ashone Claiborne is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent.-High school career:...
96-98
LB: Richard Wood 72-74
LB: Jack Del Rio
Jack Del Rio
Jack Del Rio is an American football coach and former player. Del Rio played both football and baseball for the University of Southern California Trojans, and then spent eleven years playing linebacker in the National Football League . He retired from playing in 1996 and went into coaching,...
81-84
LB: Junior Seau
Junior Seau
Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted fifth overall by the San Diego Chargers during the 1990 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Southern California and was the progenitor of the "NFL-USC linebacker".A ten-time All-Pro and...
88-89
DB: Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott
Ronald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his crushing hits on opposing players...
77-80
DB: Morley Drury
Morley Drury
Morley E. Drury , nicknamed "The Noblest Trojan of Them All," was a quarterback for the University of Southern California.-College career:...
25-27
DB: Mark Carrier 87-89
DB: Tim McDonald
Tim McDonald
Tim McDonald is a former professional American football player who played strong safety in the NFL.-High school:McDonald played high school football at Edison High School in Fresno....
83-86
P: Des Koch
Des Koch
Des Koch was an American athlete who competed mainly in the discus throw.He competed for the United States in the discus throw at the 1956 Summer Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia. He won the bronze medal. He achieved the longest punt in the Rose Bowl 1953, it was 72 yards. His record still...
51-53
Players
- Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
- O.J. Simpson, TB (1968)
- Charles WhiteCharles White (American football)Charles White is a former professional American football running back. He had a distinguished college career and later played in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams.-College football:...
, TB (1979) - Marcus AllenMarcus AllenMarcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
, TB (1981)- Walter Camp AwardWalter Camp AwardThe Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;...
- Walter Camp Award
- O.J. Simpson, TB (1967)
- O.J. Simpson, TB (1968)
- Charles WhiteCharles White (American football)Charles White is a former professional American football running back. He had a distinguished college career and later played in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams.-College football:...
, TB (1979) - Marcus AllenMarcus AllenMarcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
, TB (1981) - Matt LeinartMatt LeinartMatthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
, QB (2004)
- Dick Butkus AwardDick Butkus AwardThe Butkus Award, instituted in 1985, is given annually to the top linebackers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football...
- Chris ClaiborneChris ClaiborneChristopher Ashone Claiborne is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent.-High school career:...
, MLB (1998)- Lombardi AwardLombardi AwardThe Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
- Lombardi Award
- Brad BuddeBrad BuddeBrad Edward Budde is a former American football offensive guard in the National Football League .-College career:...
, OG (1979)- Chuck Bednarik AwardChuck Bednarik AwardThe Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive collegiate football player adjudged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States...
- Chuck Bednarik Award
- Rey MaualugaRey MaualugaRey Maualuga is an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, LB (2008)
- AP Player of the YearAssociated Press College Football Player of the Year AwardThe Associated Press College Football Player of the Year award has been awarded annually since 1998 to the most outstanding collegiate football player in the country. The winner is chosen by a vote of AP sportswriters and sports editors from throughout the country.-Winners:-Winners by school:...
- Matt LeinartMatt LeinartMatthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
, QB (2004)
- Manning AwardManning AwardThe Manning Award has been presented annually since 2004 to the collegiate American football quarterback adjudged by the Sugar Bowl Committee to be the best in the United States...
- Matt LeinartMatt LeinartMatthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
, QB (2004)- Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
- Outland Trophy
- Ron YaryRon YaryAnthony Ronald "Ron" Yary is a former professional American football offensive tackle, playing primarily for the Minnesota Vikings and also for the Los Angeles Rams. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001...
, OT (1967)- Jim Thorpe AwardJim Thorpe AwardThe Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986...
- Jim Thorpe Award
- Mark Carrier, FS (1989)
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardJohnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardThe Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given annually in the United States to the nation's outstanding senior quarterback in college football. It was established in 1987 by a foundation named for Johnny Unitas , the Hall of Fame quarterback who played his college career at the University of...
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
- Rodney PeeteRodney PeeteRodney Peete is a former American football quarterback from the University of Southern California who played in the National Football League for 16 years. He retired in 2004 and is now in broadcasting.-Early life:...
, QB (1988) - Carson PalmerCarson PalmerCarson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
, QB (2002) - Matt LeinartMatt LeinartMatthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
, QB (2005)
- John Mackey AwardJohn Mackey AwardThe John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey....
- Fred DavisFred Davis (tight end)Fred Davis is an American football tight end currently playing for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Redskins in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early years:Davis prepped at Rogers High School...
, TE (2007)
Coaches
- Paul "Bear" Bryant Award
- John McKay, Head CoachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
(1962), (1972)- Home Depot Coach of the Year AwardThe Home Depot Coach of the Year AwardThe Home Depot Coach of the Year Award is given annually to college football's top head coach. The award for the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision is selected by ESPN and ABC college football analysts. No coach has ever won the award twice.-Winners:...
- Home Depot Coach of the Year Award
- Pete CarrollPete CarrollPeter Clay Carroll is the head coach and executive Vice-President of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He is a former head coach of the New York Jets, New England Patriots and the University of Southern California Trojans football team.-Early life:Carroll attended Redwood High...
, Head CoachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
(2003)- Broyles AwardBroyles AwardThe Broyles Award is an annual award given to honor the best assistant coach in college football. First awarded in 1996, it was named after former University of Arkansas men's athletic director Frank Broyles...
- Broyles Award
- Norm ChowNorm ChowNorman Chow is the offensive coordinator for the Utah Utes, a position he started on January 22, 2011. He previously held the same position with UCLA, the NFL's Tennessee Titans, USC, North Carolina State, and Brigham Young University....
, Offensive CoordinatorOffensive coordinatorAn offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
(2002)
College Football Hall of Fame inductees
- Howard Jones, Head Coach (1951)
- Morley DruryMorley DruryMorley E. Drury , nicknamed "The Noblest Trojan of Them All," was a quarterback for the University of Southern California.-College career:...
, B (1954) - Mel HeinMel HeinMelvin Jack Hein was an American Professional Football player for the New York Giants. Hein played fifteen seasons for the Giants and never missed a down due to injury...
, Assistant Coach (1954) - Harry Smith, G (1955)
- Erny PinckertErny PinckertErny Pinckert was an American football halfback at Southern California for coach Howard Jones. He then played in the National Football League for the Boston Braves/Redskins, who then moved to Washington D.C....
, B (1957) - Aaron RosenbergAaron RosenbergAaron Rosenberg was a film director and producer. His film efforts included the box office hits The Glenn Miller Story and The Benny Goodman Story, as well as Mutiny on the Bounty.Born in Brooklyn, he studied at the University of Southern California and played college football...
, G (1966) - Ernie SmithErnie SmithErnest Frederick Smith was an American football offensive tackle under coach Howard Jones of the University of Southern California. He also handled the placekicking and kickoff duties for the men of Troy...
, T (1970) - Dan McMillanDan McMillanDan McMillan was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971....
, T (1971) - Mort KaerMort KaerMorton "Mort" Armour Kaer , nicknamed "Devil May," was a world-famous athlete, as a track star and All-American collegiate and professional American football player....
, B (1972) - Aubrey DevineAubrey DevineAubrey A. Devine was a college football player for the University of Iowa. He is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.-Background:...
, Assistant Coach (1973) - John FerraroJohn FerraroJohn Ferraro was the longest-serving Los Angeles City Council member in the history of the city—thirty-five years, from 1966 until his death in 2001—and the president of the council for fourteen of them...
, T (1974) - Frank GiffordFrank GiffordFrancis Newton "Frank" Gifford is a Hall of Fame former American football player and American sportscaster.-Early life:Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller....
, B (1975) - Cotton WarburtonCotton WarburtonIrvine "Cotton" Warburton was an All-American college quarterback who became an Academy Award-winning film editor in the late 20th century.-Biography:Warburton was born October 8, 1911, in San Diego, California, to Margaret Warburton...
, B (1975) - Tay BrownTay BrownRaymond "Tay" Brown was an All-America offensive tackle and captained the 1932 USC Trojans football squad which produced Howard Jones' only perfect season at USC.-College career:...
, T (1980) - Johnny BakerJohnny BakerJohn W. "Johnny" "Bake" Baker was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Southern California, where he was a two-time All-American at guard...
, G (1983) - O.J. Simpson, TB (1983)
- Mike GarrettMike GarrettMichael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers...
, B (1985) - Bob BlackmanBob BlackmanBob Blackman was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Denver , Dartmouth College , the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign , and Cornell University , compiling a career college football record of...
, Assistant Coach (1987)
- Mike McKeeverMike McKeeverMike McKeever was a guard at the University of Southern California football team.-College career:McKeever earned All-America honors. He was also chosen to the academic All-America team. Mike and his brother Marlin McKeever were the first twins to earn All-America status...
, G (1987) - Ron YaryRon YaryAnthony Ronald "Ron" Yary is a former professional American football offensive tackle, playing primarily for the Minnesota Vikings and also for the Los Angeles Rams. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001...
, T (1987) - John McKay, Head Coach (1988)
- Paul Cleary, E (1989)
- Mike McGee, Athletic Director (1990)
- Lynn SwannLynn Swann-Collegiate:Swann attended the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American on the Trojans football team. He played under legendary coach John McKay, including the 1972 undefeated and national championship season. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace." He...
, FL (1993) - Marvin PowellMarvin PowellMarvin Powell is a former Offensive Tackle for the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.-College career:Powell was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994...
, T (1994) - Charles WhiteCharles White (American football)Charles White is a former professional American football running back. He had a distinguished college career and later played in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams.-College football:...
, TB (1996) - Ricky HunleyRicky HunleyRicky Hunley is an American football coach and former linebacker. He is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League.-College career:...
, Assistant Coach (1997) - Ken O'BrienKen O'BrienKenneth John O'Brien is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. When he retired he was the only Jets quarterback to have ever been the top ranked passer in a season. He held the team record for most...
, Assistant Coach (1997) - Brad BuddeBrad BuddeBrad Edward Budde is a former American football offensive guard in the National Football League .-College career:...
, G (1998) - Don CoryellDon CoryellDonald David Coryell was an American football coach, who coached in the NFL first with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1973–1977 and then the San Diego Chargers from 1978-1986. He was well known for his innovations to football's passing offense. Coryell's offense was commonly known as "Air Coryell"...
, Assistant Coach (1999) - Marcus AllenMarcus AllenMarcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
, TB (2000) - Jon ArnettJon ArnettJon Dwane Arnett was a first-team All-American out of USC and Manual Arts High School.-College career:Arnett was the multiple recipient of the W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. Arnett won the Voit Trophy in both 1954 and 1955...
, HB (2001) - Ronnie LottRonnie LottRonald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his crushing hits on opposing players...
, S (2002) - Ricky BellRicky Bell (running back)Ricky Lynn Bell younger brother of recording artist Archie Bell, was an American professional football player who played running back in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers from 1977 to 1982...
, TB (2003) - Charles YoungCharle YoungCharle Edward Young is a former American football tight end who played for 13 seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973–1976, the Los Angeles Rams from 1977–1979, the San Francisco 49ers from 1980–1982, and the Seattle Seahawks from...
, TE (2004) - Anthony Davis, TB (2005)
- Richard Wood, LB (2007)
- Sam CunninghamSam CunninghamSamuel Lewis "Sam" Cunningham, Jr is a retired American football fullback. The media referred to him as Sam "Bam" Cunningham.-College career:...
, FB (2010)
Heisman finalists
- Jim SearsJim SearsJames Herbert "Jimmy" Sears was a professional American football defensive back/halfback in the National Football League and the American Football League .-High school career:...
, HB/S (7th in 1952) - Jon ArnettJon ArnettJon Dwane Arnett was a first-team All-American out of USC and Manual Arts High School.-College career:Arnett was the multiple recipient of the W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. Arnett won the Voit Trophy in both 1954 and 1955...
, HB (10th in 1956) - O.J. Simpson, TB (2nd in 1967)
- Anthony Davis, TB (2nd in 1974)
- Ricky BellRicky Bell (running back)Ricky Lynn Bell younger brother of recording artist Archie Bell, was an American professional football player who played running back in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers from 1977 to 1982...
, TB (3rd in 1975 and 2nd in 1976) - Charles WhiteCharles White (American football)Charles White is a former professional American football running back. He had a distinguished college career and later played in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams.-College football:...
, TB (4th in 1978) - Paul McDonald, QB (6th in 1979)
- Rodney PeeteRodney PeeteRodney Peete is a former American football quarterback from the University of Southern California who played in the National Football League for 16 years. He retired in 2004 and is now in broadcasting.-Early life:...
, QB (2nd in 1988) - Keyshawn JohnsonKeyshawn JohnsonJoseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
, WR (7th in 1995) - Matt LeinartMatt LeinartMatthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
, QB (6th in 2003 and 3rd in 2005) - Mike Williams, WR (8th in 2003)
Trojans in the NFL
USC has had more players (472), and more 1st round NFL DraftNFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
picks (74) than any other college. 162 Trojans have been selected to the NFL Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
, while a Trojan has played in all but two Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
s.
NFL All-Pro/Pro Bowl
- Nate BarragarNate BarragarNathan Robert Barragar was an American collegiate and professional football player.-Biography:Barragar was the only son of Nathaniel Hawthorne Barragar , a clergyman, and Olive Jan Barragar . The family moved to Yakima, Washington, then eventually settled in Los Angeles...
- Carson PalmerCarson PalmerCarson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
- Troy PolamaluTroy PolamaluTroy Aumua Polamalu is an American football strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He played college football at the University of Southern California.-High school:Troy Polamalu graduated...
- Junior SeauJunior SeauTiaina Baul "Junior" Seau is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted fifth overall by the San Diego Chargers during the 1990 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Southern California and was the progenitor of the "NFL-USC linebacker".A ten-time All-Pro and...
- Mark CarrierMark CarrierMark Carrier may refer to:*Mark Carrier , heavyweight contender who retired with a career record of 31-2*Mark Carrier , American football safety, played for Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins...
- Bruce Matthews
- Clay Matthews, Jr.
- Clay Matthews IIIClay Matthews IIIWilliam Clay Matthews III is an American football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers 26th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Southern California.-Early years:Matthews was born in the Los...
- Marlin McKeeverMarlin McKeeverMarlin Thomas McKeever was an American football defensive end, fullback and punter at the University of Southern California and a tight end and linebacker during his 13-year National Football League career. He was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming.-College career:McKeever earned two-time All-America...
- Joey BrownerJoey BrownerJoey Matthew Browner is a former American football strong safety for the Minnesota Vikings from 1983 until 1991.-Professional career:...
Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Frank GiffordFrank GiffordFrancis Newton "Frank" Gifford is a Hall of Fame former American football player and American sportscaster.-Early life:Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller....
, HB (1977) - Ron MixRon MixRonald Jack Mix , in Los Angeles, California was an American football player.Mix attended USC, and upon graduation played right tackle and guard for the American Football League's Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers and the NFL Oakland Raiders .- College career :A graduate of the University of Southern...
, OT (1979) - Morris 'Red' BadgroRed BadgroMorris Hiram "Red" Badgro was a professional American football end in the National Football League for the New York Yankees, New York Giants, and the Brooklyn Dodgers...
, E (1981) - O.J. Simpson, RB (1985)
- Willie Wood, DB (1989)
- Anthony MuñozAnthony MuñozMichael Anthony Muñoz , is a Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle who played most of his career for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals...
, OT (1998) - Ronnie LottRonnie LottRonald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his crushing hits on opposing players...
, DB (2000) - Lynn SwannLynn Swann-Collegiate:Swann attended the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American on the Trojans football team. He played under legendary coach John McKay, including the 1972 undefeated and national championship season. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace." He...
, WR (2001) - Ron YaryRon YaryAnthony Ronald "Ron" Yary is a former professional American football offensive tackle, playing primarily for the Minnesota Vikings and also for the Los Angeles Rams. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001...
, OT (2001) - Marcus AllenMarcus AllenMarcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
, RB (2003) - Bruce Matthews, OT,OG,C (2007)
Current players
- Sam Baker, OT - Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Charles BrownCharles Brown (offensive lineman)-New Orleans Saints:Brown was drafted by the Saints with the last pick of the second round. He signed a four-year contract on July 26, 2010.-External links:**...
, OT - New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... - David BuehlerDavid Buehler-Dallas Cowboys:He was drafted in the 5th round by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2009 NFL Draft, and the first kicker taken. He was the first USC kicker to be drafted since Cole Ford in 1995. He handles the team's kickoffs and missed his only field goal attempt in the Cowboys' opening regular season...
, K - Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - Reggie BushReggie BushReginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, RB - Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Jeff ByersJeff ByersAfter going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, Byers signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks.-External links:*...
, C - Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Matt CasselMatt CasselMatthew Brennan "Matt" Cassel is a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, QB - Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Jordan CameronJordan cameron-Cleveland Browns:Cameron was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 102nd pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He is expected to sit and learn behind current starting tight end, Benjamin Watson.-External links:* * * *...
, TE - Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Shaun CodyShaun CodyShaun Michael Cody is an American football defensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early years:Cody attended Los Altos High School in...
, DT - Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Brian CushingBrian Cushing-Houston Texans:Cushing was drafted with the 15th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.He scored his first career points on October 4, 2009 when he recorded a safety against the Oakland Raiders. The safety was the first recorded by a Texan since the 2002 season.Cushing was...
, OLB - Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Fred DavisFred Davis (tight end)Fred Davis is an American football tight end currently playing for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Redskins in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early years:Davis prepped at Rogers High School...
, TE - Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Sedrick EllisSedrick Ellis-New Orleans Saints:Ellis was drafted by the New Orleans Saints seventh overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. The Saints original draft spot was 10th, but they traded up with the New England Patriots. The teams swapped first round picks, the Saints gave up their third round selection and the Pats gave...
, DT - New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... - Everson GriffenEverson Griffen-Minnesota Vikings:Griffen was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 100th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.On January 28, 2011, Griffen was arrested in Los Angeles for public intoxication. Three days later, he was arrested again after he was found driving with an invalid drivers license...
, DE - Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... - Lawrence JacksonLawrence Jackson-Seattle Seahawks:Jackson was selected with the 28th pick in the 2008 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He was the fourth defensive end taken in the first round ....
, DE - Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... - Winston JusticeWinston JusticeWinston Frederick Justice is an American football offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, OT - Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Ryan KalilRyan KalilRyan Kalil is an American football offensive lineman for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Drafted by Carolina in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Kalil played college football at the University of Southern California...
, C - Carolina PanthersCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... - Matt LeinartMatt LeinartMatthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
, QB - Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Deuce Lutui, OG - Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Kaluka MaiavaKaluka Maiava-Personal:Maiava's stepfather, Scott Mahoney, attended and played football for Kamehameha Schools and the University of Colorado as an offensive lineman. His mother, Kathryn, works for an airline, which allowed the family the ability to take free trips to the mainland during Maiava's high school...
, MLB - Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Clay Matthews IIIClay Matthews IIIWilliam Clay Matthews III is an American football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers 26th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Southern California.-Early years:Matthews was born in the Los...
, LB - Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Taylor MaysTaylor MaysTaylor Mays is an American football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League.He played college football at USC...
, FS - Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Kyle MooreKyle MooreKyle Moore is an American football defensive end for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, DE - Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Rey MaualugaRey MaualugaRey Maualuga is an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, OLB - Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Anthony McCoyAnthony McCoyAnthony McCoy is an American football tight end for the Seattle Seahawks. McCoy was considered one of the top tight end prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft.-Early years:McCoy attended Bullard High School in Fresno, California...
, TE - Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... - Joe McKnightJoe McKnightJoe McKnight is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League . He was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Jets...
, RB - New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Fili MoalaFili MoalaFili Moala is an American football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, DT - Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... - Carson PalmerCarson PalmerCarson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
, QB - Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Mike Patterson, DT - Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Troy PolamaluTroy PolamaluTroy Aumua Polamalu is an American football strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He played college football at the University of Southern California.-High school:Troy Polamalu graduated...
, S - Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Chilo RachalChilo Rachal-San Francisco 49ers:Rachal was signed to a four-year deal.Rachal started the last 6 games of the 2008 season, then started 15 of 16 games in 2009. Rachal started 14 of 15 games played in 2010.-External links:**...
, OG - San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... - Keith RiversKeith RiversKeith Rivers is an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bengals ninth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Early life:Rivers was a highly decorated letterman in football at Lake...
, MLB - Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Frostee RuckerFrostee RuckerRucker was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was placed on the injured reserve list his rookie year in 2006.In 2007, Rucker contributed on special teams and situational opportunities on defense...
, DE - Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Mark SanchezMark SanchezMark Travis John Sanchez is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League . He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the fifth overall selection by the Jets and the second quarterback taken overall...
, QB - New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Steve Smith, WR - Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Malcolm Smith, OLB - Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
- Tyron Smith, OT - Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
- Kevin ThomasKevin Thomas (cornerback b. 1986)Kevin Thomas is an American football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts, after being selected in the third round of the NFL Draft...
, CB - Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... - Terrell ThomasTerrell Thomas-New York Giants:Thomas was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, after projecting to be a third round pick. Thomas was the 63rd overall pick of the draft and the final pick of the second round...
, CB - New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Patrick TurnerPatrick TurnerPatrick Turner is an American football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, WR - New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Damian WilliamsDamian Williams (American football)Damian Williams is a wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans. He played college football at the University of Southern California, where he was an All Pac-10 selection.-High school career:...
, WR - Tennessee TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... - Mike Williams, WR - Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
- Thomas WilliamsThomas Williams (American football)Thomas Washington Williams is an American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, LB - Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Stanley HaviliStanley HaviliStanley Havili is an American football fullback who is currently a practice squad member for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Personal:Havili's...
, FB - Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Shareece WrightShareece WrightShareece Wright is an American football cornerback for the San Diego Chargers. He played college football at the University of Southern California . He is considered one of the best cornerback prospects for the 2011 NFL Draft...
, CB - San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Coaches
- Jeff FisherJeff FisherJeffrey Michael "Jeff" Fisher is the former head coach of the Tennessee Titans of the NFL. He has a 146-120 career record as an NFL head coach.-Early life:...
, CB (former head coach of the Tennessee TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
) - Mike HolmgrenMike HolmgrenMichael George Holmgren is a former professional football coach and current President of the Cleveland Browns. He served as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1998, and the Seattle Seahawks from 1999 to 2008...
, QB (former head coach, Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, Super Bowl XXXISuper Bowl XXXISuper Bowl XXXI was an American football game played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1996 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American...
Champions) - Sam AnnoSam AnnoSam Scott Anno is an American football linebackers and special teams coach for the University of San Diego Toreros.-High school career:...
, LB (USC assistant coach) - Rocky SetoRocky SetoHaruki Rocky Seto, often referred to as Rocky Seto, is an American football coach; he currently serves as Defensive Quality Control for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.-Early years:...
, LB (Seattle Seahawks assistant coach) - Hudson HouckHudson HouckHudson Houck is the offensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. A veteran of over two decades of football coaching experience, Houck was re-hired by the Cowboys after being let go by the Miami Dolphins....
, OL (offensive line coach of the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
) - Jim FasselJim Fassel-Professional:-Personal life:Before the 2003 NFL season, Fassel was reunited with a son, John Mathieson, whom he and his wife Kitty gave up for adoption in 1969. The couple was unmarried when he was born....
, QB (former head coach, New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
; former offensive coordinator of the Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
) - Kennedy Polamalu, RB (USC assistant coach)
Broadcasters
- Frank GiffordFrank GiffordFrancis Newton "Frank" Gifford is a Hall of Fame former American football player and American sportscaster.-Early life:Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller....
, RB (former Monday Night FootballMonday Night FootballMonday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
commentator) - Pat HadenPat HadenPatrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981...
, QB (former NBC color commentator for Notre Dame games, current USC Athletic Director) - Sean SalisburySean SalisburyRichard Sean Salisbury is an American football analyst, former NFL and CFL quarterback, and actor.-Early life:Salisbury attended Orange Glen High School in Escondido, California...
, QB (former ESPN NFL analyst) - Paul McDonald, QB (color commentator for USC games)
- Lynn SwannLynn Swann-Collegiate:Swann attended the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American on the Trojans football team. He played under legendary coach John McKay, including the 1972 undefeated and national championship season. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace." He...
, WR (ABC SportsAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
commentator; ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Pennsylvania) - Petros PapadakisPetros PapadakisPetros Papadakis is an American television personality and radio co-host of the Petros and Money Show on Fox Sports Radio. He is a former tailback and American football team captain for the University of Southern California Trojans football team. He is also known as "The P."Papadakis's family...
, RB (FSN commentator) - John Jackson, WR (FSN commentator)
- Jason SehornJason SehornJason Heath Sehorn is a former professional American football defensive back in the National Football League.-Early years:Sehorn was born in Sacramento, California...
, DB (In 2005, Sehorn joined Fox Sports Net, and is currently a panelist on their Sunday NFL pregame show) - Bob ChandlerBob ChandlerRobert Donald Chandler was an American football wide receiver in the National Football League.-Professional career:...
, WR (Los Angeles Raiders broadcast team) - Rodney PeeteRodney PeeteRodney Peete is a former American football quarterback from the University of Southern California who played in the National Football League for 16 years. He retired in 2004 and is now in broadcasting.-Early life:...
, QB (panelist on FSN's Best Damn Sports Show Period!) - Tony BoselliTony BoselliDon Anthony "Tony" Boselli, Jr. is a former American football offensive tackle. He spent nearly all of his professional career playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League ....
, OT (Westwood One Radio Network) - Keyshawn JohnsonKeyshawn JohnsonJoseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
, WR (ESPN)
Actors/Entertainment Industry
- Nate BarragarNate BarragarNathan Robert Barragar was an American collegiate and professional football player.-Biography:Barragar was the only son of Nathaniel Hawthorne Barragar , a clergyman, and Olive Jan Barragar . The family moved to Yakima, Washington, then eventually settled in Los Angeles...
, C/G (1929 All-AmericanCollege Football All-America TeamThe College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
) - Ward BondWard BondWardell Edwin "Ward" Bond was an American film actor whose rugged appearance and easygoing charm were featured in over 200 movies and the television series Wagon Train.-Early life:...
, OL - Aaron RosenbergAaron RosenbergAaron Rosenberg was a film director and producer. His film efforts included the box office hits The Glenn Miller Story and The Benny Goodman Story, as well as Mutiny on the Bounty.Born in Brooklyn, he studied at the University of Southern California and played college football...
, T - John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
, T
Media
Radio flagship: KSPNKSPN (AM)
KSPN is an all-sports radio station based in Los Angeles, California. It is owned by Disney. It is an ESPN Radio owned-and-operated station.-Play-by-play:...
710-AM in Los Angeles
Broadcasters: Pete Arbogast (play-by-play), Paul McDonald (analyst) and John Jackson (sideline reporter)
Past broadcasters: Tom Kelly, Lee Hacksaw Hamilton, Tim Ryan, Larry Kahn, Mike Walden, Chick Hearn
Chick Hearn
Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn was an American sportscaster. Known primarily as the long-time play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, the legendary Hearn is remembered for his rapid fire, staccato broadcasting style, inventing colorful phrases such...
, Petros Papadakis
Petros Papadakis
Petros Papadakis is an American television personality and radio co-host of the Petros and Money Show on Fox Sports Radio. He is a former tailback and American football team captain for the University of Southern California Trojans football team. He is also known as "The P."Papadakis's family...
, Fred Gallagher, and Mike Lamb
Mike Lamb
Michael Robert Lamb is an American professional baseball Utility Player for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He can play the infield but shortstop, corner outfield and catcher...
, among the most recent USC radio broadcasters. Until 1995, radio station KNX
KNX (AM)
KNX is an all-news radio station in Los Angeles, California, USA. The station operates on a clear channel and is owned by CBS Radio. KNX broadcasts from facilities shared with sister stations KFWB, KCBS-FM, KTWV, and KAMP on Los Angeles' Miracle Mile...
AM-1070 in Los Angeles was the school's football flagship station. From 2001 to 2006, KMPC AM-1540 was the Trojan's flagship station. Pete Arbogast, who has called Trojans football for 14 of the last 20 seasons, will call his sixth Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2009. Arbogast also called the Rose Bowl game for USC for the university's campus radio station, KSCR, in 1978 and 1979
Public address announcer: Dennis Packer
See also
- Giles PellerinGiles PellerinGiles L. Pellerin , nicknamed the Superfan or Super Fan, was an American telephone company executive and a fan of the University of Southern California Trojans college football team, notable for having attended 797 consecutive USC football games over a period of 73 years until his death at age 91...
, who attended 797 consecutive USC football games from 1925 until his death during the USC - UCLA game in 1998