Don Lechman - Notre Dame vs. USC: The Rivalry

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2012 by Don Lechman

All rights reserved

Cover images, front top: The Notre DameUSC rivalry featured the Trojans great running back Ricky Bell (left) and quarterback Pat Haden (right), while Notre Dame had quarterback George Izo and Coach Joe Kuharich (both center), who went 3-1 against USC.

First published 2012

e-book edition 2012

Manufactured in the United States

ISBN 978.1.61423.747.1

Library of Congress CIP data applied for.

print ISBN 978.1.60949.803.0

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

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This book is dedicated to my two favorite Notre Dame and USC graduates: my late brother-in-law, Michael We Are ND Greeley, and Randy Fight On! Gray, a close friend since 1966.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank my wife, Patricia, and my daughter, Laura Ann, for putting up with my sporting obsessions. They seldom objected when I wanted to watch, listen to or attend any event having to do with a ball, but mainly football, basketball and baseball. They usually tagged along or watched with little complaint and a lot of enthusiasm. I would also like to thank my best friend, son David Michael, for his companionship in enjoying these events. He said they were some of the highlights of his childhood, and I treasure that sentiment and those moments, which are fortunately still being created today. Next, I would like to thank my commissioning editor, Jerry Roberts, for having the smarts, faith and courage to assign me a book that had to be completed in a very short time. It appears the task was not impossible. Also, I would like to express my profound admiration to Collegiate Collection, Notre Dame Archives and Sporting News Archives for their infinite wisdom in allowing the use of their images. In addition, the University of Notre Dame (ND) and the University of Southern California (USC) deserve kudos for providing eighty-five years of exciting football, which has helped make this infinitely exciting tome possible. Finally, I want to applaud all you people out there who have enjoyed the wonderful Irish-Trojan rivalry and wish to relive those golden moments once againor even for the first time!

INTRODUCTION

The oldest recorded rivalries in college Division I football are Army vs. Navy and Wisconsin vs. Minnesota, both of which started in 1890. The oldest rivalry among all schools is Yale vs. Princeton, which began in 1873. Every self-respecting football fan has to have a favorite rivalry. Mine growing up was Colorado vs. Nebraska (sadly no longer scheduled since the teams moved to different conferences). But there are still many heated rivalries among colleges greatest teams. Every fan should have his own priority, but here are some of the longtime rivalries that have created the greatest national interest over the yearsusually because they were battling for national ranking:

MICHIGAN VS. OHIO STATE. Since they first played in 1897, the Wolverines hold a 57-41-6 edge over their hated rivals.

OKLAHOMA VS. TEXAS. The Longhorns surprisingly own a 59-42-5 record over the Sooners since they first played in 1900.

ALABAMA VS. AUBURN. The Crimson Tide leads in the series, 41-34-1. The rivalry started in 1893, but the series was often interrupted.

ARMY VS. NAVY. Even though they are not usually among the national powers, their games create a lot of interest because of the national pride in our military. Navy leads the series, 56-49-7.

COLORADO VS. NEBRASKA. Of course, I have to mention the Buffs and the Cornhuskers, even if it is not much of a rivalry. Hopefully, it will be resumed as a nonconference game. Huskers were leading, 48-19-2. Sad.

MICHIGAN VS. MICHIGAN STATE. Their first game in 1898 was won by Michigan, 390. Nothing has changed much since then. The Wolverines lead, 67-32-5.

STANFORD VS. CALIFORNIA. The Cardinals have dominated this great rivalry against the Golden Bears going back to 1892.

These are some of the big boys, but there are a lot of other teams with meaningful rivalries for their fans. Minnesota and Wisconsin (known as the game for Paul Bunyans Axe) have battled 121 times since 1890, with the Gophers leading, 59-54-8. Missouri and Kansas (Border War) have tangled 120 times, with the Tigers holding a 56-55-9 edge. Texas and Texas A&M (Lonestar Showdown) have played 118 games, with the Longhorns unsurprisingly holding a 76-37-5 lead. Purdue and Indiana (Old Oaken Bucket) fought 114 times, with the Boilermakers on top, 71-37-6.

But it is doubtful that any rivalry in the history of college sports can equal the importance of Notre Dame/University of Southern California showdowns. The two powerhouses have met 83 times, with the Irish winning 43 to 35 for the Trojans, with 5 ties. USC has held the reign since 1996, going 12-4-1. Both teams have acted like a spoiler toward the other. In 1968, ND tied USC, 2121, clouting them out of first place. It spoiled USCs undefeated season hopes by beating it in the last game of the season in 1947 and 1952. The Irish also gave the Trojans their first loss of the season in 1927, 1973 and 1995. Finally, the No. 1 Irish beat the No. 2 USC in 1988, 2710, to ensure the national championship for ND. On the other hand, the Trojans have personally ruined Irish national championship hopes in 1980, 1971, 1970, 1964, 1938 and 1931.

Both teams have reveled in their glory as each has claimed eleven national championships. The Irish have also had seven Heisman Trophy winners (Angelo Bertelli, 1943; Johnny Lujack, 1947; Leon Hart, 1949; Johnny Lattner, 1953; Paul Hornung, 1956; John Huarte, 1964; and Tim Brown, 1988) compared to six for the Trojans (Mike Garrett, 1965; O.J. Simpson, 1968; Charles White, 1979; Marcus Allen, 1981; Carson Palmer, 2002; and Matt Leinert, 2004Reggie Bush had to give his back in 2005). Notre Dame has won 845 games through 2011, while USC has 766 victories. Notre Dame has the poorer bowl record at 15-16, while USC is far superior at 31-16.

Notre Dame has seven of the greatest teams of all time (1924, 1929, 1946, 1947, 1966, 1973 and 1988), while USC is said to have five of the greatest teams of all time (1928, 1932, 1962, 1972 and 2003). USC had six last-minute wins against ND in 1931, 1964, 1978, 1996, 1997 and 2005, while the Irish had three last-minute victories in 1926, 1986 and 1999. Out of nine decades, USC has dominated four (1930s, 1960s, 1970s and the 2000s), while ND has dominated two (1920s and 1940s). As far as football graduation rates, Notre Dame has longed reigned in the high 90 percent bracket, while the Trojans have always lingered in the 50 and 60 percentages. Both teams, of course, have had other individual awards and too many all-Americans and even consensus all-Americans to mention.

The coaches have had their share of the limelight. For Notre Dame, Lou Holtz finished 9-1-1 against USC in addition to Leahy at 8-1-1, Knute Rockne at 4-1 and Elmer Layden at 4-2-1. For USC, Pete Carroll led all with an 8-1 record. John Robinson was 8-2-1, and John Mackay was 8-6-1. The great Howard Jones was 6-9-1. Irish coach Brian Kelly and USC coach Lane Kiffin each won a game while hoping for bluer skies ahead.