FOOTBALL

If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

USC often reminds its fans that it doesn’t always know best.

Let’s remember two years ago when it basically dismantled the alumni clubs and wanted everything (money) funneled directly to the university.

I was reminded of this when thinking about how if you donated money to BLVD, 50 percent would go to the general fund. So you might give money for football and less than 50 percent would go to football (at least 55 percent goes to the general fund and administrative fees).

That bugs donors. USC says it is changing that policy but it waited too long to prevent some aggresive donors from forming a collective on their own.

  • Who are the only two teams to beat twice Lincoln Riley twice? Answer posted five paragraphs below.
  • The USC band will perform for the second time this summer at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday night. The show will feature a “Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks.”
  • I’ve focused on the 1972 team but USC was supposed to honor the 1997 football team (25th anniversary) at the Salute to Troy. One player showed up.
  • Brianna Navarrosa, a junior on the USC women’s golf team, defeated No. 4-seed Kelsey Bennett to advance to the quarterfinals at the U.S. Women’s Amateur tournament.
  • No. 17-ranked Pepperdine women’s soccer defeated No. 15-ranked USC, 2-0, in an exhibition Thursday in Malibu.
  • Iowa State and Kansas State beat Riley twice. Probably not the first two teams people assume.

RESTAURANTS OF THE WEEK

  • I couldn’t resist running this ad for Julie’s Trojan Barrel because it says, “Come on in and meet Julie. She probably knew your parents when they were at USC.”

It also should have said it will be so dark inside you might never find Julie.

  • Restaurant No. 2 is Don’s Burger Boy.
  • And now for some history:
  • The USC band (in classic uniforms), a Coliseum night game and fireworks in 1975. Does it get any better?
  • Big Ten preview: USC played Purdue at the Coliseum in 1975. The Trojans won, 19-6.
  • The game also featured a classic game program cover.
  • Who remembers University Sporting Goods in the University Village?

Imagine a sporting goods store that actually sold shoes and not just overpriced/overrated food like at the current USC Village?

  • This ad invites “all of the armchair USC quarterbacks” to come to Monday Morning Quarterback. Do you think an ad for Lincoln Riley would be so sarcastic?
  • I’m probably the only person crazy enough to recognize USC guard Casey Jones along with UCLA guard Andre McCarter and referee Booker Turner in 1976.

Turner, a graduate of Roosevelt High School in East Los Angeles, officiated in five Final Fours and two championship games (1981: Indiana vs North Carolina; 1984: Georgetown vs Houston). 

  • Let’s bring this season in color with Bob Trowbridge, the Crescenta Valley High School graduate who averaged 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds that season. I miss the uniforms, including the socks.
  • In 1975-76, the speakers at USC included Fred Astaire, Groucho Marx and Ray Bradbury. Better speakers in the 70’s.
Fred Astaire
Groucho Marx and George Fenneman at USC
Ray Bradbury spoke in 1976 and also in 1981 and signed autographs!
  • The United States Bicentennial was obviously a big event in 1976. But at USC, students grew weary of the hype. The Songfest Committee even went so far as to ban any entries in the all-university musical with a bicentennial theme.
  • David Letterman appeared at USC in Oct. 15, 1981. For $3 if you were a student. See what I mean about better speakers, performers? Let’s remember George Carlin taped his first HBO special at USC in 1977.
  • Do you remember Michael Harper’s phantom touchdown vs. Notre Dame in 1982. This is a great photo of the play from the Tom LaBonge Collection, so I believe the photo was taken by the future Los Angeles City Councilman (2001-15).

USC won the game, 17-13.

  • Bob Hendren was a 6-foot-8 right tackle at USC from 1946-48. He was all-Pacific Coast in 1947 and played in the NFL with Washington from 1949-51. He also served in World War II from 1943-46.

79 thoughts on “If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column”

    1. WOW. CHARLES WINS THIS MORNING

      LOVE THAT GIRL IN THE RED TOP

      I TOOK MY DINNER DATE TO THE RED TOP INN

      HALFWAY THERE SHE ASKED ME
      HOW FAR IS THE RED TOP IN ????????

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    2. PHANTOM TOUCHDOWN MY ASS

      BACK IN THE LATE TWENTIES AT SOUTH BEND OUR TROJANS SCORED A SAFETY
      THE REF RULED IT A TOUCHBACK AND WE LOST THE GAME BY ONE POINT
      THE REF APOLOGIZED AFTER THE GAME AND ADMITTED HE WAS WRONG
      SO
      WE GOT SOME PAYBACK FOR THAT !!!!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Georgie, that Harper touchdown is still as good as gold. Funny that I never hear Scottie talk about the phantom Vince Young TD pass in the Rose Bowl when Young’s knee had been obviously down before the ball left his hand.

        Liked by 1 person

    3. I saw him at the Comedy Store when he was first coming up…..wearing a sweatsuit and worn out tennis shoes…and, yeah, he WAS funny once upon a time….
      #Before,LikeLarryDavid,HeBecameABigIntellectual

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. …..Referring to Charles’ remark about Letterman….
        #I’mSuingForDamagesOverMentalAnguishCausedByMisplacedReplies

        Liked by 1 person

      2. There’s a teen show on Netflix called “Never Have I Ever”. Written by and loosely based on the teenage life of Mindy Kaling. Not a big fan of hers. She was just OK on The Office.

        But what really makes the show is, it’s narrated by John McEnroe! Anyone who enjoyed the fits he used to throw on the court would enjoy it.

        Liked by 2 people

      6. You’re missing the bigger picture, 67: The point was taken cuz McEnroe was hiding the Nuclear Code inside his jockstrap…
        #[AccordingToGarland,Anyway]

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Caruso said. “We also have a very contemporary president who lives a very different lifestyle, and I felt, the board felt, that the home has to be such that it is a place where Carol is happy.”

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      3. Caruso: “We’ve found ways of disguising Carol’s salary package by paying her out of 3 separate accounts….meanwhile we’re gonna front for a new Mansion so she can safely talk about racism from Santa Monica…”

        Liked by 2 people

    3. HERE IS ANOTHER
      OLDIE BUT GOODY

      CHECK OUT THE 1950s SONG
      OH JULIE
      BY THE CRESCENDOS

      IF YOU EVER LIKED AN OLDER WOMAN
      YOURE GONNA LOVE THAT SONG

      I GUARANTEE IT

      JUST LIKE JOE NAMATH!!!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Magandang umaga kaibigan. Lagi akong natutuwa sa iyong mga komento. isa ka sa maraming magagandang bagay sa buhay ko kasama si missus ed.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. NEED MISSUS TIREBITER TO FULLY TRANSLATE THO I CAN DO PART
      BUT THE MISSUS IS STILL SLEEPING 💤 AND SLEEPING 🛌 AND SLEEPING 😴 SO I HAVE TO HOLD ON

      ED SHE IS REALLY WORN OUT FROM LAST NIGHT

      YEAH. MY FAULT ED
      YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES MY FRIEND
      THATS LIFE IN THE BIG CITY !!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. GROUCHO MARX HAD THE MCKEEVER TWINS
    MARLIN AND MIKE
    ON HIS TV SHOW. CALLED YOU BET YOUR LIFE

    READ RAY BRADBURYS BOOK. THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES

    FANTASTIC WORK

    OF COURSE THATS HOWARD JONES IN THE PIX JUST ABOVE MCKAY

    HOWARDS NICKNAME WAS. HEADMAN

    AND HE HAD BIT PARTS IN SEVERAL MOVIES TOO

    OUR COACH BEFORE HIM WAS GLOOMY GUS HENDERSON

    ALWAYS WAS GLOOMY ABOUT THE NEXT GAME. HAH
    FRANK LEAHY WAS LIKE THAT TOO
    ONE YEAR IN THE PRESEASON FRANK SAID
    I DOUBT IF WE EVEN MAKE ONE FIRST DOWN ALL YEAR

    OF COURSE THEY WON THE NATTY THAT YEAR !!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. HEY

    ITS AFTER SEVEN THIRTY

    ONLY CHARLES. ED. AND THE OL DOG ARE UP

    RISE AND SHINE EVERYONE

    THERES A BIG BEAUTIFUL WORLD OUT THERE

    SOMEWHERE!!!!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. George, my pooch woke me up. Just an 11 pounder, but he is the best. Good to see you are here, brother. Go easy on owns today, my son tells me that the #2 hoops prospect in the country cancelled ucla off his list after visiting there.

      #WhoCanBlameHim

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Who ’67, the #2 BB prospect for the year 1947? You’re starting to sound like Donnie Bigmouth; way too much BS and zero reality.

        Like

  6. Classic band uniforms? My high school band teacher wore a uniform that had a Pershing cap(not a helmet) when he attended USC. If that is the uniform I think it is, (70s) it was hated by most band members. It was hot and the helmet was funky. Someone said it was a costume not a uniform.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. They are very hot because they are very thick and made to withstand at least 10 years of abuse. Most bands can’t afford to replace any more often than that.

      The first game or two every season was absolute hell.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. How you’re an expert on band uniforms…tooooo funnnny!….another laughable moment from the senile sloooo cal

        Like

      2. Gabby! Now So Cal is in trouble for talking about uniforms?
        #MyInLawsWon’tEverLetMeTalkPolitics[IKnow,YouAgreeW/Them]..
        #….ButRecentlyThey’veAddedSports&CultureToTheList…
        #SoonIt’llBeNoTalkingOnThursdays…
        #…AndNoWearingTheColorPurple..
        #[IThinkMaybeThey’reStartingANewReligion]

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I know the feeling…I cheap shot somebody last week and ALMOST came back on to apologize…
        #AsMyInlawsAlwaysTellMe,”GrowAConscience!”

        Liked by 2 people

  7. MG…. Garland also said the FBI recovered nuke codes under the conman’s bed. They were hidden under a pile of big mac wrappers.

    Trump claims the wrappers were a decoy that provided the necessary security, advice taken from putin.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I felt sorry for Garland when he dragged his 5 foot body to the podium and started peeing on live television…. I have a feeling Wray is behind the warrant …. but Biden needs Wray more than Garland …so poor little dweeb Garland is gonna have to take the fall….

      Like

      Reply

      1. What’s the importance of Wray over Garland, I’m interested in your angle.

        I’m hearing some chatter, Jared was the mole…I read, that their relationship had strained when trump was on the “big lie” crusade

        Liked by 1 person

      2. My takes:
        Jared doesn’t have the guts to cross Daddy. Even if he wanted to [which I doubt]….
        Wray stays cuz he knows where the bodies are buried & has a dick…. Garland goes cuz…. well, you know….
        #JustLookAt’Em…
        #….”Mommy!”

        Like

      3. P.S.
        If we’re scale grading …which we probably should at this point…No lie Trump’s told can be considered the “Big” one anymore…
        #TooMuchCompetition

        Like

      5. …lest there be any confusion…
        #The”Competition”IsComingFromBiden,Pelosi,Harris,Schiff,etAl…

        Like

  9. Jon Wilner’s Top-10 PAC-12 players…….

    1. Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell
    He doesn’t play one of the vital perimeter spots (edge rusher, cornerback), but Sewell will be the best player at any position on the field this fall, dominating from the center as Utah’s Devin Lloyd did last season.

    2. USC receiver Jordan Addison
    The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner could very well close the season as the best player in the league, and the land. But we wonder about the adjustment to a new quarterback, new scheme, new head coach, new conference — and all the hype.

    3. Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III
    Phillips has been on the path to stardom since he became one of the highest-ranked signees in Utah history. His man-to-man coverage skills give the Utes loads of flexibility with their schemes. A future high-round draft pick.

    4. Cal defensive tackle Brett Johnson
    The best under-the-radar player in the conference is an unblockable bull on the interior. If you’re unfamiliar, that’s because Johnson didn’t play in 2021 due to injuries sustained in an offseason car accident. Assuming he’s healthy, destruction will follow.

    5. Washington edge Zion Tupuola-Fetui
    The pocket-crusher would be higher on the list — perhaps No. 1 — if not for the Achilles tear suffered in the spring of 2021. If he’s back to pre-injury form, Tupuola-Fetui will be one of the nation’s best edge rushers.

    6. Utah quarterback Cameron Rising
    It’s so perfectly Utah that a returning quarterback, toting a conference title and first-team all-league honors, would be nudged off the preseason stage. USC’s Caleb Williams has gobbled up the attention, but we expect Rising to have another stellar year.

    7. UCLA tailback Zach Charbonnet
    The best ballcarrier in the conference (by a slim margin over Utah’s Tavion Thomas). Charbonnet, whose career began at Michigan, runs with power and elusiveness and is adept in the passing game. One of the best all-around tailbacks in the country.

    8. Washington State edge Ron Stone Jr.
    The son of the former Pro Bowler recorded 11.5 tackles-for-loss last year in what was, technically, his sophomore season. We expect him to improve on that number as the primary playmaker for what should be a stout front seven.

    9. Oregon defensive end Brandon Dorlus
    After three seasons in Kayvon Thibodeaux’s shadow, Dorlus moves into the spotlight. He’s athletic, versatile, requires double-teams in passing situations and is destined for the top half of the NFL Draft whenever he declares.

    10. USC quarterback Caleb Williams
    While not the Pac-12’s best pro prospect at the position — that would be Stanford’s Tanner McKee — the Oklahoma transfer is an elite playmaker who should have a major impact. That said, he has only attempted 211 career passes, and many came against third-rate defenses.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Gabby — you realize that Wilner’s assessment of Tanner McKee combined with Stanford’s top receivers combined with Donte’s backfield spells big trouble in our SECOND game?
      [I wonder if Jon Wilner is related to the Paul Wilner who used to cover my Labor Code Wage Violation cases for the Herald Examiner back in the day….when I was actually doing stuff you’d approve of]….

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Good eye regarding Tanner. I see it this way, if Tuli Tuipulotu and company can get a good push and collapse the pocket that could neutralize the seam-routes coming from their TEs (fingers crossed).

        With Fresno St. on deck, a potential top 25 team, hoping the Stanford game doesn’t feel like a look-ahead game for the players. David Shaw is a really good coach with some success against USC.

        I forgot all about the Herold Exmaniner. Many years ago, it was one of my go-to rags. I never judged the paper for its political bias, one way or the other.

        We often disagree on political ideology but at the end of the day, we share a common goal, the success of USC.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. As Will Ferrell said in Anchorman –“Let’s continue to agree to disagree.”
        #NoneOfThisTarantino,”Let’sDisagreeToDisagree!”

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Stanford hasn’t been able to run the ball, and their o-line is mediocre, so defenses can plan for the pass. A bit like what defenses did against USC when Harrell was the coordinator. Plus Stanford was something like 112 out of 126 teams on total defense last year. Take away their game versus USC, and maybe they are 125 out of 126.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. I believe Cal beat furd by 31 last yr and furd has minimal improvement. SC having a problem with The Tree would not bode well.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. OOPS
      LATE RESPONSE FROM MG
      HAHA
      I KNOW YOURE BUSY MG

      AND NOTHING CAN BREAK OUR
      FRIENDSHIP NOT EVEN ONE PERCENT

      CERTAINLY NOT POLITICS

      OOPS. JUST REMEMBERED THE IN LAWSWERENT INVITED

      HAHA

      AND HAHA
      JUST KIDDING AROUND
      LIKE OL DOGS DO

      PS AND THANK YOU GABBY

      YOU HAVESOME GREAT POSTS

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    3. No message. Just that I’m busy with work, remodeling going on at our house, closing a probate, keeping the wife happy, prepping for WWIII or the zombie apocalypse whichever comes first.

      I saw the joke and it was funny! Always appreciate your humor!!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  11. HEY MICHAEL

    YOU PROMISED TO SUPPORT DONTE AND ROOT FOR HIM TO SUCCEED REMEMBER ??

    IF HE FAILS WE ALL FAIL MY BUDDY

    SO WE ALL LOVE DONTE THE TROJAN NOW ???

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

      1. Last year was a shit show. Total chaos. Thankfully I have forgotten most of it. Riley is a professional, he hired a bunch of professionals. And there is going to be leadership on the field from Caleb on O and from Shane Lee on the D. This year could be really good, much better than what Wilner is expecting.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Anyone remember the Brew House at the University Village? Spent too many nights there back in the day.

    How about a write up on the Brew House next Friday, Blogger?

    #I’mAskingIfAnyoneRemembersEvenIfIDon’t

    Like

    Reply

  14. The 1997 team was horrible. Glad they won at Notre Dame that year (the highlight), but watching them in person lose at Washington to an average Husky team by a score of 27-0 was shameful.

    Like

    Reply

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