FOOTBALL

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

The ACC on The CW.

Some are making jokes about this TV deal but I’d have been thrilled to see USC games on The CW the past 10 years instead of the Pac-12 Network. A channel people actually can watch is better than a non-existent channel. Or streaming.

  • Former USC coach Ed Orgeron shot down the report he had interest in the Northwestern job.

“Man, I don’t know where they get this stuff,” he said.

  • And now for some history:
  • What a pleasant surprise to discover this photo this week. USC All-American football players Elmer Willhoite (left) and Jim Sears (right) place their footprints in cement in 1953.

That’s USC coach Jess Hill next to Willhoite and dean of men Albert Zech next to Sears.

You can see this was in front of the Phelps-Turkel dept. store, which used to be right on the USC campus. The All-American footprints were the brainchild of store manager Joseph Barbato, an avid USC fan and close friend of former basketball coach Forrest Twogood.

When the store moved off campus, the cement footprints were removed and placed in storage, where they languish today because USC doesn’t have a plan to utilize them.

  • Speaking of Hill, here he is on Sept. 14, 1953 with UCLA coach Red Sanders at a Sportswriters Luncheon. And for some reason, they were pictured with Barbara Hines (USC); Kathy Johnson (British Columbia); Ann Bailey (Oklahoma) and Nancy Hagglund (Oregon State).

Life used to be an endless array of banquets and luncheons in the 50’s.

  • The world moved at a difference pace in the 1950’s. The day after Notre Dame played USC at the Coliseum in 1951, the Irish attended a brunch at Los Angeles Country Club hosted by Countess Estelle Doheny.

That’s Notre Dame halfback Johnny Lattner, who is kneeling in the back row talking to the priest. Lattner won the Heisman Trophy in 1953 and the Maxwell Award twice (1952-53). Caleb Williams won the Maxwell Award last year.

Estelle Doheny acquired the title “Countess” in recognition of her philanthropy in Los Angeles. She was elevated to the rank of papal countess by Pope Pius XII. At the time, only two other American women received the honor.

If Doheny’s name sounds familiar, her husband, Edward, donated $1.1 million to USC in 1932 to build a library named after his son, Edward Jr. He was L.A.’s richest man and discovered oil at the La Brea Tar Pits in 1892.

Edward Jr., the 35-year-old heir to an oil family fortune, was found dead, shot through the head, at Greystone Mansion, his 55-room, Tudor-style home in Beverly Hills. His secretary, Hugh Plunkett, was found nearby, also dead of a bullet wound.

Authorities said Plunkett shot Doheny and then killed himself but there was never a full investigation.

Doheny State Beach in Dana Point is land Estelle and her husband donated to the state. And the Doheny Eye Institute is named after Estelle.

Seated left to right: John E. Petitbon; Archbishop J. Francis A. McIntyre; James C. Muscheller; Countess Estelle Doheny; Father McCarragher; Neil J. Worden. Standing left to right: Thomas J. Seaman; John J. Lattner; Thomas L. Murphy; Robert H. Taylor; Robert Ready; Asst. Coach B. McBride
  • Before James Cameron made “Titanic” and “Avatar,” he was a 20-year-old truck driver who wanted to be a filmmaker.

Cameron could not afford film school, so he would visit the stacks at a USC library, and find dissertations on the subject.

“I’d find somebody’s 300-page dissertation on optical printing,” Cameron said. “And I’d be going through it and I’d think, `Well, I got to get this.’ So I’d pull the staples out and I’d photocopy the entire 300 pages.

“And then I just kept doing the same thing, week after week, for about six months. And I’m driving a truck, but I had these binders: Sodium process, blue screen, optical printing, film-stock emulsions, lenses, cinematography.

“I was going through this stuff, chapter and verse, and making my own notes and all that. I basically gave myself a college education in visual effects and cinematography while I was driving a truck.”

  • Although known for his prowess at running back, here’s a picture of C.R. Roberts (42) playing defense vs. Washington State in 1955. He looks like he could have inflicted some damage in pursuit.
  • The 1931 film, “Touchdown” featured USC football players Morley Drury, Jesse Hibbs, Nate Barragar and Coach Howard Jones. All three players were All-Americans.

Also in the film was football player/shot putter Herman Brix (later known as Bruce Bennett). He broke his shoulder during filming, which prevented him from competing in the 1932 Olympics.

Bennett eventually became a pretty famous actor, best known for his work in “Mildred Pierce” (1945); “Treasure of the Sierra Madre” (1948) and “Sahara” (1943).

  • Last week, I mentioned how Bobette Bentley was elected student vice president at USC in 1953. The same year she had a small role in the film, “The French Line” starring Jane Russell and Gilbert Roland (seated).

Bentley is the first person on the left kneeling behind the couch. She was probably the most prominent co-ed in those days between student government and a budding acting career.

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK

Its Treat’s System Hamburgers, which was at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Cherokee Ave., in June of 1951.
  • Gilbert Leong was the first Chinese-American student to graduate from USC with a degree in architecture, which he earned in 1936.

Among his buildings was the Bank of America branch in Chinatown. He worked for the famous architect, Paul Revere Williams, another USC graduate. In 1973, Leong co-founded East West Bank.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

A popular feature of the TV show, “What’s My Line?” was the mystery guest. Here is Jayne Mansfield’s first appearance in 1957.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Walt Frazier vs. Wilt Chamberlain with Jim McMillian and Jerry West watching. An NBA classic!

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

    1. I read a great variation on that line, John. Clinton was asked —very early in the Monica Lewinsky scandal — about the stories of his having sex with an intern in the White House. He laughed and asked, “Where DO they get these things?!”

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    1. …and Bobette Bentley, John….
      btw, Jayne comes off as smarter and sweeter than I remember her in any of the previous interviews I’ve seen of her.
      And inspiring stuff on James Cameron — looks like he educated himself the right way: going straight to the source material and reading it without the middleman [the teacher].
      Another awesome Friday column from Scott.

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      1. …Scott should run the interview Edward R. Murrow did with Marilyn Monroe —- she looks beautiful but it seems the producers asked her to “please come across as dumb as possible” right before the cameras started rolling….

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Not a fan of all 3 but how do I love a salad (no dressing but plenty of nuts) and a virgin mojito after my dance class.

        Liked by 3 people

  7. Tebow you were almost respectable but you blew it with the being jealous of Monica line.
    Those cement footprints would work at the new football building, Scott should start a campaign.
    Happy Friday only 43 days until football.

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    2. Not many people know this but Scott’s footprints are stored in what Carol calls her “secret room” in the basement….
      #[…..NeighborsComplainAboutWeirdCooingSounds]

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    1. None other than Susan Rice warned Joe to stop touching kids. Looks like he can’t help it…
      #HeIsn’tNormal…
      #SameGoesForHis”PretendDoctor”Wife…
      #…AndLittleHunter

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      2. The guy is oozing with confidence(or cockiness) hopefully it transfers well to the college football playing field!

        Liked by 3 people

      3. Hope it all comes true for Zachariah …except the Heisman….
        #…ThatBelongsToCalebForAsLongAsHeWantsToStayAtUSC

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Gabby, thx for Zachariah post. He has reportedly hit 26 mph, Usain Bolt’s top end was 27.3. This is going to be a very fast team, should be close to a video game offense.

        Liked by 2 people

      5. I checked, and 26mph is about 10.00 in the 100 meters. 10 flat would qualify for the Olympic trials.

        FYI….Tyreek Hill’s best 100 was 9.98

        Liked by 2 people

      6. I think we all know we’re about to see the best offense USC ever put on the field [yes, better than 2005]…..
        #ExpectVeryHigh40’sInTermsOfPointsPerGame….
        #IfWeStayHealthyNoOneWillOutscoreUs…
        #[ThatIsWhyLincolnIsn’tThatWorriedAboutGrinch]

        Liked by 1 person

      7. LIKED!…..I think we all know we’re about to see the best offense USC ever put on the field [yes, better than 2005]…

        (a slight chill when I read it..)

        Liked by 1 person

      8. MG – I personally think that Branch and Duce are going to be a much bigger part of this USC offense than people think. Riley wants a national title and he is going to use his best weapons.

        So my receiver predictions:
        – Mario Williams is the #1 receiver (he is going to be a different receiver this year) – I could be completely wrong about this but I think the expectation that Singer is the top receiver might be off
        – Branch is the #2 receiver
        – Washington, Rice and Singer are in a group just below those two
        – Duce has at least 500 yards and is 3rd in the list of TD receptions

        And JaKobi Lane will get some playing time as well.

        I also expect Moss to be allowed to play the 4th quarter for all the first five games, since they will be blow-outs.

        Liked by 1 person

      9. I still have high hopes for Lemon. I watched a few of Los Alamitos’ games on TV and Youtube highlights, and IMO, thought Lemon was often the best player on the field.

        Liked by 1 person

      10. And….there’s gonna be a serious upgrade in the running game….
        #ThisOffense…IfItStaysHealthy…IsGonnaBeUnstoppable

        Like

      12. Gabby – nice video.

        but there is no way Branch will get 1500 yards this season. there are too many weapons in USC’s arsenal, the touches will be spread all over the place. i think there could be 5 receivers with more than 800 yards.

        Liked by 3 people

      13. You’re exactly right!. There will not be enough targets to reach that number. I would be surprised if someone reached 1000 yards. Perhaps later in his college career, 1500 would be more realistic. He if stays healthy and productive, 1st round pick is a very realistic goal.

        Liked by 1 person

      14. Michael: Maybe Susan Rice and his other handlers can point to a kid Joe seems interested in and tell him “that’s Navy Joan Roberts, your Grandchild who Hunter had with the stripper.” Joe seems to be able to stay away from that kid.

        Liked by 2 people

      15. Gabby aka The Guy who posts as So Cal's Wife & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young's avatar Gabby aka The Guy who posts as So Cal's Wife & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young says:

        Be all that you can be in today’s Senile Joe Army!2

        Like

      1. …but…. Joe has been told by advisors and staff about the “bad optics” —why does he continue giving critics ammo?

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Michael, because he knows his dimwitted supporters will continue to say “Look away! Nothing to see here!”

        This is less than 24 hours old, but idiots will act as if this is months old and being rehashed.

        Like

      3. Socal, it’s a cop-out when you perpetually attack the messenger instead of the message.

        Like

      4. I read a comment on some blog [yeah…I know….but it’s possible the info was correct] saying Susan Rice & Samantha Power actually pled with Joe to resist the urge to snuggle with little girls….
        #…EvenIfThatBlogCommentWasn’tLegit…
        #…JoeKnowsByNowHe’sGettingKilledForContinuingToDoThis…
        #…IsHeSufferingWhatCriminalLawDefinesAs”IrresistibleImpulse”?

        Like

      5. LIKED!….#…IsHeSufferingWhatCriminalLawDefinesAs”IrresistibleImpulse”?

        Trump, or whoever gets the nomination, is taking notes and building bullet points.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Agree, 67. There is nothing comparable on the internet —-“Fridays” increasingly reminds me of Herb Cain’s great pieces in the San Francisco Chronicle…and those are considered classics.

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      1. Michael, outstanding comparison. Sadly, the SF of the time of Herb Caen and the other great SF Chronicle columnists is gone, but great memories of the city that once was.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Yep….Herb would weep if he saw Market Street today…
        #&ThanksForTheSpellingCorrection…
        #…HerbDeservesBetterFromMe

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Oh man then why not drag in ‘Larry’ Ferlinghetti and Bill Graham
        “Here they are in one great great show – Big Brother and the Holding Company”

        Like

  10. Gabby,
    Branch is Reggie quick. He’s the closest thing we have seen since. I’m excited to watch what he does and how LR gets him the football. This years offense will be crazy with really unique talents- Branch, Raleek, and Duce are all unicorns.

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    1. Can you imagine having Duce, Branch, Singer, Raleek and Mario Williams or Rice on the field at the same time? and a mobile QB?

      how do you defend against that?

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      1. game tv: how do you defend against that?

        You sure would not want to play press-coverage, they will leave in the dust off the LOS. Your hope would be to limit the yards after catch. Duce looks like he would take a few for a ride. I would also include the speedster Lemon

        EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Perhaps your dose needs an adjustment……just saying!
        Any football comments from you today? You have been on a dry streak for some time.

        Like

      4. I agree– Adoree is a better comparison.
        Adoree was great at getting by the first tackle, getting to the sideline and outrunning everybody…. for some reason Raleek never mastered the first part of that formula….

        Like

      5. Raleek did too much east-to-west running in the backfield which often led to a negative play. Plus, his pass-protection skills were weak. I am sure his size had more to do with it.

        I compare him to De’Anthony Thomas. A guy who was deadly in space but just could not run between the tackles.

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    3. Mrs Helton your right on, but let’s see how the rotations go. I know if someone goes down with a injury they might not be a starter when they get healthy. If the running game is great then I will see 5 800 yards receivers. I really believe it will be Singer, Washington, Branch, Rice, Robinson.

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  11. Too many drops Gabby, and he’ doesn’t always run the right route, doesn’t make contested catches. He will start but for how long he has a lot competition with incoming freshmans. There will be about 10 plays of 50 yds this year Defense must take care of business or no CFP despite the heroics of CW. I want see him master the pocket as well the scouts too many times he had to scramble to make plays. The OL should be better so he can show the scouts .

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    1. Yes, Mario had some consistency issues( might have cost us the bowl win with his bone-head decision on the kick at the goal line) I see what you mean about Caleb. Sometimes he spins and bailouts, which means you’re taking your eyes off your downfield receivers, when perhaps the right play is to step up into the pocket.

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  12. Brendan Rice will be the best WR in the Pac 12 this year. Teams are going to have to stop the run from USC or they will get destroyed by 70 points a game. Why? because teams will be forced to play two safeties back with linebackers close to the line of scrimmage with corners/safeties spread wide to keep Caleb Williams inside the pocket which he won’t mind. This team can attack the middle of the field 15 to 30 yards deep within 3 to 4 seconds. Not too many college teams are prepared for that.

    Defensively, is there anybody like Bear Alexander or Anthony Lucas on the Pac 12 rosters? Size-wide with speed, power and quickness? From what I’m studying, maybe the Ducks Jordan Burks or Brandon Dorlus? The freshman Uiagaleleli is inexperienced at this level so he doesn’t count. The Washington defensive ends might if they can come in over 270 lbs. Highly unlikely. Utah lost their best pass rusher and the linebacker spots need proof of concept. Utah is big but are they fast and deep enough?

    Athlon rates USC recruiting on a 5 year average to be at 31st best in the country. Oregon (#9) and Utah (#26) are rated higher. The equalizer is USC being rated #1 and #3 in transfer recruiting based on who left and who entered the program from the portal. It will truly depend on coaching to see if they can go undefeated.

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