Bruin Essentials

THE CROSSTOWN RIVALRY



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2000's
2003: USC UCLA
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: UCLA (), USC ()
THE LINE:

2002: USC 52 UCLA 21
SYNOPSIS: The opening seconds of the game was a sign of things to come as Tab Perry fumbled the opening kickoff. The Trojans promptly responded with a TD pass. The game was marred with a number costly mistakes by UCLA, committing five turnovers.
RECORDS: #25 UCLA (7-3), #7 USC (8-2)
THE LINE:

2001: USC 27 UCLA 0
SYNOPSIS: The team still looked listless the entire game. The Bruins were beset by off-the-field distractions swirling around tailback DeShaun Foster and quarterback Cory Paus. They headed into this game having lost three straight, after a promising 6-0 start. The Bruins were No. 4 nationally earlier in the year.
RECORDS: UCLA (6-3), USC (5-5)
THE LINE:

2000: USC 38 UCLA 35
SYNOPSIS: A field goal in the final seconds by a Trojan PK who had missed his previous three attempts does the Bruins in.
RECORDS: UCLA (6-4), USC (4-6)
THE LINE:

1990's
1999: USC 17 UCLA 7
SYNOPSIS: The Bruins' winning streak is finally broken in this low scoring affair. With both teams under .500 going into the game for the first time since 1941, the contest was marred by 25 penalties, 16 against USC, plus missed tackles and dropped passes by the Trojans and Bruins.
RECORDS: UCLA (4-6), USC (4-6)
THE LINE: USC by 6

1998: UCLA 34 USC 17
SYNOPSIS: True Frosh DeShaun Foster scored all four of UCLA's touchdowns (three rushing and one receiving) and Senior Cade McNown finished Bruin career undefeated versus Trojans.
RECORDS: # 3 UCLA (9-0), USC (7-4)
THE LINE: UCLA by 11

1997: UCLA 31 USC 24
SYNOPSIS: USC drew within a touchdown with 2:08 to go and recovered an onside kick. But John Fox was sacked on first down and the next two passes were batted down. On 4th-and-20 from his own 38, Fox's long bomb down the right sideline was picked off by Wasswa Serwanga.
RECORDS: # 9 UCLA (8-2), USC (6-4)
THE LINE: UCLA by 11

1996: UCLA 48 USC 41 (2 OT Series)
SYNOPSIS: USC held a 17-point lead (38-21) with less than 7 minutes to play. Bruins scored quickly on their next 3 possessions to knot the score. In it's final overtime series, USC was unable to score as Anthony Cobb intercepted a passfrom Matt Koffler on fourth down. It was the most points UCLA has scored in the series and the highest losing score in Trojan history.

'In what may have been the greatest football game I have ever witnessed, the Bruins, down by 17 with 6 minutes to play, somehow pulled a sure win out from USC and extended the streak, and showed R. Jay Soward not to count his chickens before they hatch. After his touchdown put it at 38-21, he went up to the cameras and said "Five more years? nuh-uh, it ends today. Guess who dropped a crucial 3rd down pass? Soward. Skip Hicks scored the winning TD in overtime, and Cade McNown began his run of winning the big games, with this win over the Trojans.'

- SonsOfWestwood

RECORDS: USC (5-5), UCLA (5-6)
THE LINE: ??

1995: UCLA 24 USC 20

SYNOPSIS:Trojans let time tick away in final quarter and, in the process, saw any chance of a comeback go with it. Bruins scored 21 unanswered points through early in the 2nd quarter. In a highly unusual move, the Trojans let over 9 minutes run off the clock in the final quarter before they finally scored with 3:30 left. USC never got the ball back.   The Bruin victory marked the longest winning streak in the series by either team.
RECORDS: #11 USC (8-1-1), UCLA (6-4)
THE LINE: USC by 7

1994: UCLA 31 USC 19
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #13 USC (7-2), UCLA (4-6)
THE LINE:

1993: UCLA 27 USC 21
SYNOPSIS: Marvin Goodwin intercepts a Rob Johnson end-zone pass in final minute to preserve Bruin win.
RECORDS: #16 UCLA (7-3), #22 USC (7-4)
THE LINE: USC by 2

1992: UCLA 38 USC 37
SYNOPSIS: Nkosi Littleton knocks down a Rob Johnson two-point convesion attempt to preserve victory.
RECORDS: #15 USC (6-2-1), UCLA (5-5)
THE LINE: USC by 9

1991: UCLA 24 USC 21
SYNOPSIS: Arnold Ale's sack to Reggie Perry snuffs out a USC comeback effort. Mike Chalenski secures fumbled ball and Bruin victory.
RECORDS: #25 UCLA (7-3), USC (3-7)
THE LINE: UCLA by 5

1990: USC 45 UCLA 42
SYNOPSIS: The mother of all slugfests: Todd Marinovich outlasts Tommy Maddox in the touchdown derby.
RECORDS: #19 USC (7-2-1), UCLA (5-5)
THE LINE: USC by 7

1980's

1989: TIED 10-10
SYNOPSIS: Game-winning Alfredo Velasco field goal attempt goes inches short as it hits the cross-bar.
RECORDS: #8 USC (8-1), UCLA (3-7)
THE LINE: USC by 17

1988: USC 31 UCLA 22
SYNOPSIS: Once again, Rose Bowl bid at stake for both highly-ranked teams.
RECORDS: #2 USC (9-0), #6 UCLA (9-1)
THE LINE: USC by 1

1987: USC 17 UCLA 13
SYNOPSIS: The juggled catch by Trojan Erik Affholter (with his feet barely inbounds) proves to be the back-breaker for the Bruins.
RECORDS: #5 UCLA (9-1), USC (7-3)
THE LINE: UCLA by 9

1986: UCLA 45 USC 25
SYNOPSIS: UCLA enjoyed a 24-0 dominating effort over USC in the first half, when Bruin Quarterback Matt Stevens decided to add insult to injury. As the seconds expired before halftime, he lofted a Hail Mary pass into a crowded endzone for yet another Bruin touchdown. (Personally, one of my favorite moments in the entire crosstown rivalry). The 31-0 halftime score still represents USC's largest midgame deficit ever, to any opponent. Unfortunately, it also served as a bitter and effective motivator for the Trojans during the remainder of Larry Smith's tenure.

- "JPBruin91"

RECORDS: #10 USC (7-2-1), #18 UCLA (6-3-1)
THE LINE: EVEN

1985: USC 17 UCLA 13
SYNOPSIS: Down by 3, USC decided to continue eventual game-winning drive rather than settle for a tying field goal. This decision came off of a fourth down with 3:30 to go. Entering the 4th quarter, UCLA muffed a chance to seal the game when the football was lost during an Eric Ball dive into the endzone.
RECORDS: #8 UCLA (8-1-1), USC (4-5)
THE LINE: UCLA -7

1984: UCLA 29 USC 10
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #7 USC (8-1), UCLA (7-3)
THE LINE: USC by 4

1983: UCLA 27 USC 17
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: UCLA (5-4-1), USC (4-5-1)
THE LINE: UCLA by 4

1982: UCLA 20 USC 19
SYNOPSIS: Redemption: Sack by Karl Morgan and Eugene Leoni helps Bruins foil a USC two-point attempt to preserve victory. First crosstown game at Rose Bowl.
RECORDS: #10 UCLA (8-1-1), #15 USC (7-2)
THE LINE: NO LINE

1981: USC 22 UCLA 21
SYNOPSIS: Field goal attempt for game-winner by Norm Johnson gets knocked down with 29 ticks left on the clock. This fateful play came after UCLA was up 21-12 after three quarters; after giving up the game winning touchdown with only 2:14 remaining; after USC intercepted the ball to begin their game-winning drive..
RECORDS: #10 USC (8-2), #15 UCLA (7-2-1)
THE LINE: USC BY 3'

1980: UCLA 20 USC 17
SYNOPSIS: Jay Shroeder pass gets tipped to Freeman McNeil's arms with two-minutes remaining. Note: Despite exceptional records by both teams, neither was eligible for post-season games.
RECORDS: #12 USC (7-1-1), #18 UCLA (7-2)
THE LINE: USC by 1

1970's

1979: USC 49 UCLA 14
SYNOPSIS: Most points scored by USC since the 1930 game. UCLA suffered worst 1st half shallacking in crosstown history.
RECORDS: #4 USC (9-0-1), UCLA (5-5)
THE LINE: USC by 15

1978: USC 17 UCLA 10
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #5 USC (8-1), #14 UCLA (8-2)
THE LINE: USC by 7

1977: USC 29 UCLA 27
SYNOPSIS: USC field goal with two seconds remaining breaks Bruins' backs.
RECORDS: #17 UCLA* (7-3), USC (6-4) Note: Due to recruiting violations, UCLA's official record is 0-11 for the year.
THE LINE: USC by 6

1976: USC 24 UCLA 14
SYNOPSIS: Rose Bowl, Pac-10 championship at stake for 18th time. Both teams also vying for national championship.

"The 1976 game wasn't a close as it looked. USC lead 24-0 in the 4th quarter. We left in disgust, only to have the Bruins score twice more. They converted the first two-point conversion, but failed on the second. I think they got the ball again, but failed to score. I haven't left a game early since."

- Morgno@aol.com
RECORDS: #2 UCLA (9-0-1), #3 USC (8-1-0)
THE LINE: UCLA by 2

1975: UCLA 25 USC 22
SYNOPSIS: This game was the one in which Dick Vermeil returned the Bruins to the Rose bowl. The game was marked by an incredible number of fumbles by the Bruins, especially Wendell Tyler, but somehow they won anyway.

"I believe there were 11 fumbles by our UCLA team 9 of which we lost. The Bruin defense was incredible, contantly making big stops on Trojans tailback Ricky Bell after each fumble. By the way most of those lost fumbles gave the Trojans superior field position which they could not capitalize on. This maturing and surging Bruin defense would later go on to hold 2x Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin (under 100 yards, first time all year)and the Woody Hayes/QB-Cornelius Greene led Ohio State Buckeyes to 10 points in the 1976 Rose Bowl win for the Bruins (23-10).

I know I was there on the field"

Dr. Death-Oscar Edwards

RECORDS: #14 UCLA (7-2-1), USC (7-3)
THE LINE: UCLA by 2

1974: USC 34, UCLA 9
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #7 USC (7-1-1), UCLA (6-2-2)
THE LINE: USC by 15

1973: USC 23, UCLA 13
SYNOPSIS: "The 1972 and 1973 games matched the Pepper Rodgers coached wishbone teams of UCLA against the superior coaching of John McKay. The Bruins tore up most of their other opponents, running up 400 or 500 yards rushing. McKay put everyone on the line of scrimmage and dared the Bruins to run, which they couldn't. One of those USC teams won a national championship, yet more Bruins went on to success in the NFL."

-Morgno@aol.com

RECORDS: #8 UCLA (9-1), #9 USC (8-1-1)
THE LINE: UCLA by 3

1972: USC 24, UCLA 7
SYNOPSIS: Rose Bowl Implications for both teams.
RECORDS: #1 USC (9-0), #14 UCLA (8-2)
THE LINE: USC by 13

1971: TIE 7-7
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #15 USC (6-4), UCLA (2-7)
THE LINE: USC by 13

1970: UCLA 45 USC 20
SYNOPSIS: Proved to be the most points ever scored by Bruins.
RECORDS: USC (5-3-1), UCLA (5-4)
THE LINE: USC by 7

1960's

1969: USC 14 UCLA 12
SYNOPSIS: "The 1969 game was the first of many bitter disappointments for UCLA. The Bruins led 12-7 when USC faced fourth down late in the game. The USC QB threw a horrible pass that landed far out of bounds and was totally uncatchable. I was sitting in the fourth row and couldn't see the play, but I saw the ball go over the players on the sideline. But UCLA was called for pass interference and USC went on to win."
- Morgno@aol.com

USC pulls off an upset with a 32-yard TD pass with 92 seconds to play. Game had Rose Bowl implications for both teams.
RECORDS: #6 UCLA (8-0-1), #5 USC (8-0-1)
THE LINE: UCLA by 2

1968: USC 28 UCLA 16
SYNOPSIS:Game was only close in the first half.
RECORDS: #1 USC (8-0), UCLA (3-6)
THE LINE: USC by 14

1967: USC 21 UCLA 20
SYNOPSIS:Bruins had lead, 20-14, which included a 53-yard strike from Gary Beban to George Farmer.. The missed PAT basically took all the air out of the Bruins. Subsequently, OJ Simpson galloped 64 yards for the game-tying TD. For Troy, their PAT was successful as was their bid to dislodge Bruins from top spot nationally.
RECORDS: #1 UCLA (7-0-1), #3 USC (8-1)
THE LINE: USC by 3

1966: UCLA 14 USC 7
SYNOPSIS: Another game with Rose Bowl on the line. However, loser of this game still went by virtue of a vote of the commisioners.
RECORDS: #7 USC (7-1), #8 UCLA (8-1)
THE LINE: USC by 7

1965: UCLA 20 USC 16
SYNOPSIS: Rose Bowl implications once again. Coach Prothro earned Coach- of-the-Year. UCLA made improbable comeback after being down 16-6 with 4 minutes to go.
RECORDS: #7 UCLA (6-1-1), #6 USC (6-1-1)
THE LINE: USC by 3'

1964: USC 34 UCLA 13
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: USC (5-3), UCLA (4-5)
THE LINE: USC by 7'

1963: USC 26 UCLA 6
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: USC (6-3), UCLA (2-7)
THE LINE: USC by 13'

1962: USC 14 UCLA 3
SYNOPSIS: UCLA actually led through 50 minutes of the game, 3-0.
RECORDS: #1 USC (8-0), UCLA (3-4)
THE LINE: USC by 14'

1961: UCLA 10 USC 7
SYNOPSIS: Rose Bowl implications.
RECORDS: UCLA (6-3), USC (4-4-1)
THE LINE: UCLA by 6

1960: USC 17 UCLA 6
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #11 UCLA (5-1-1), USC (3-5)
THE LINE: UCLA by 12

1950's

1959: UCLA 10 USC 3
SYNOPSIS: Bruins foil Trojan hopes for undefeated season.
RECORDS: #2 USC (8-0), UCLA (3-3-1)
THE LINE: USC by 9'

1958: TIE 15-15
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: USC (4-4), UCLA (3-6)
THE LINE: USC by 7'

1957: UCLA 20 USC 9
SYNOPSIS: Both teams were stripped of their seniors and post-season participation.
RECORDS: UCLA (7-2), USC (1-7)
THE LINE: UCLA by 7

1956: USC 10 UCLA 7
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: UCLA (7-2), USC (6-2)
THE LINE: USC by 2

1955: UCLA 17 USC 7
SYNOPSIS: Return trip to Rose Bowl.
RECORDS: #5 UCLA (8-1), USC (5-3)
THE LINE: UCLA by 8

1954: UCLA 34 USC 0
SYNOPSIS: UCLA had #1 national ranking. But by Conference edict, could not repeat Rose Bowl trip. SC went to Rose Bowl and lost.
RECORDS: #1 UCLA (8-0), #6 USC (8-1)
THE LINE: UCLA by 12'

1953: UCLA 13 USC 0
SYNOPSIS: Earned trip to Rose Bowl.
RECORDS: #5 UCLA (7-1), #9 USC (6-1-1)
THE LINE: UCLA by 7

1952: USC 14 UCLA 12
SYNOPSIS: Both teams bidding for Rose Bowl berth with undefeated records.
RECORDS: #3 UCLA (8-0), #4 USC (8-0)
THE LINE:

1951: UCLA 21 USC 7
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #11 USC (7-1), UCLA (4-3-1)
THE LINE: USC by 7

1950: UCLA 39 USC 0
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: UCLA (5-3), USC (1-4-2)
THE LINE: UCLA by 7

1940's

Due to wartime travel restrictions, schools often faced eachother twice.

1949: USC 21 UCLA 7
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: UCLA (6-2), USC (4-2-1)
THE LINE: EVEN

1948: USC 20 UCLA 13
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: USC (5-3), UCLA (3-6)
THE LINE: USC by 14

1947: USC 6 UCLA 0
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #4 USC (6-0-1), #18 UCLA (5-3)
THE LINE: USC (SLIGHT)

1946: UCLA 13 USC 6
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #4 UCLA (8-0), #10 USC (5-2)
THE LINE: UCLA by 7

1945 (2): USC 26 UCLA 15
SYNOPSIS: 5th meeting that would decide Rose Bowl participant. Beginning of "two-platooning"
RECORDS: #16 USC (6-3), UCLA (5-3)
THE LINE: USC 6 to 5, or USC by 12

1945 (1): USC 13 UCLA 6
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: Season opener
THE LINE: USC

1944 (2): USC 40 UCLA 13
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #8 USC (6-0-2), UCLA (4-4-1)
THE LINE: USC by 7

1944 (1): TIE 13-13
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: Season opener
THE LINE: USC 9/10

1943 (2): USC 26 UCLA 13
SYNOPSIS: UCLA led at intermission, 13-6. Don Malmberg was distinguished by both team as most outstanding player.
RECORDS: USC (6-2), UCLA (1-7)
THE LINE:

1943 (1): USC 20 UCLA 0
SYNOPSIS: Players were wisked away for government war-time training. UCLA roster was especially depleted.
RECORDS: Season opener
THE LINE: USC 3 to 1

1942: UCLA 14 USC 7
SYNOPSIS: Bob Waterfield sneak to Troy 6-yard line preceded a TD run by Ken Snelling. A Waterfield pass to Burr Baldwin provided winning TD.
RECORDS: #13 UCLA (6-3), USC (4-4-1)
THE LINE: USC (Slight)

1941: TIE 7-7
SYNOPSIS: Game ended in a Forbes interception of a USC pass at or near endzone saved Bruins from a loss.
RECORDS: UCLA (4-5), USC (2-6)
THE LINE: USC 7 to 5

1940: USC 28 UCLA 12
SYNOPSIS: UCLA scored first and managed a close 7-6 deficit into half- time.
RECORDS: USC (2-3-2), UCLA (1-8)
THE LINE: USC 2 to 1

1929 and 1930's

1939: TIE 0-0
SYNOPSIS: Battle of undefeateds. Bruins came within two yards. Rather than a field-goal attempt (which was not a given in those days), UCLA went for it. They chose to pass, the rest is history.
RECORDS: #9 UCLA (6-0-3), #3 USC (7-0-1)
THE LINE: USC 5 to 2

1938: USC 42 UCLA 7
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: #14 USC (6-2), UCLA (5-3)
THE LINE: USC

1937: USC 19 UCLA 13
SYNOPSIS: Bruins came within 14 yards of tying the game with a touchdown after yielding 19 points to the Trojans. In the span of three plays, UCLA put up their thirteen points. Includes a Kenny Washington 72-yard aerial (62 from scrimmage) to Hal Hirshon: the longest in-air pass in Bruin-Trojan history.
RECORDS: USC (4-2-1), UCLA (2-5-1)
THE LINE: USC

1936: TIE 7-7
SYNOPSIS: Billy Bob Williams (FB) in record-books for first Bruin TD and PAT versus USC. Note: The game ball was eventually bronzed to serve as the perpetual trophy for this inter-city classic.
RECORDS: UCLA (6-3), USC (4-2-1)
THE LINE: USC 2 to 1

1931-1935: No head-to-head games played.

SYNOPSIS: Note: UCLA won PCC title in 1935

1930: USC 52 UCLA 0
SYNOPSIS:
RECORDS: Season opener
THE LINE: NONE

1929: USC 76 UCLA 0
SYNOPSIS: September 28: The inaugural game.
RECORDS: UCLA 10 seasons and 74 games, USC 36 seasons and 226 games
THE LINE: NONE