FOOTBALL

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

I never imagined the first time I would meet O.J. Simpson would be in Davie, Fla. Or at a USC football practice.

But that’s what happened on Dec. 28, 2002. It was a perfect example of how something can seem great inside the bubble of a football program and get a completely different reaction outside it.

Simpson was enthusiastically embraced at practice by Pete Carroll, the players and USC officials.

“It’s his school, and the guys were excited to see him. He’s a legend. At ‘SC, our guys hold a Heisman Trophy winner in high regard,” Carroll said.

What I remember most 22 years later was how accessible Simpson was to all of us. He spoke to the media for quite awhile after practice and then after that I spoke to him for another 45 minutes at his car. He would have talked even longer but his driver finally told him they had to leave.

A few reporters told two USC officials that Simpson’s appearance was a huge blunder and would backfire. The officials tried to rationalize it and said the public would support his appearance.

This was before social media but as we were in Miami later that day, the backlash exploded so quickly the university ended up releasing a statement backtracking on Simpson’s appearance. I seem to recall USC president Steven Sample even making a rare comment on football.

After that, Simpson was never granted access again.

  • Caitlin Clark will be at the Los Angeles Athletic Club today to accept the Wooden Award.
  • Couldn’t USC have done more than just coloring over UCLA jerseys for this spring game promo?
  • Former USC QB Aaron Corp has been offensive coordinator at Orange Lutheran for several seasons but will not coach the Lancers this season after moving out of state. He will replaced by former Boise State/Orange Lutheran player Austin Pettis.
  • And now for some history:
  • Cornerback Danny Reece intercepts a Jeff Dankworth pass in USC’s 34-9 victory over UCLA at the Coliseum in 1974.

This game featured a good one-on-one matchup between USC All-American Richard Wood and UCLA offensive guard Myke Horton.

“We were battling and talking the whole game,” Wood said. “Then he hit me in the head. The referee was there so I hit him back. I knew I couldn’t be kicked out of the game.”

Don Crenshaw (left ) scored 20 points against UCLA in USC’s upset at Pauley Pavlion.
  • UCLA won 68 of its first 70 games at Pauley Pavilion. USC won the other two contests.

I’ve written plenty of times about the dramatic 46-44 victory in 1969 over Lew Alcindor and Co.

But a year later in 1970, USC upset the Bruins, 87-86, at Pauley Pavilion as Don Crenshaw scored 20 points and hit the game-winning free throw with 16 seconds left. The Trojans trailed, 66-53, with 15 minutes left before mounting a comeback against the Sidney Wicks–Curtis Rowe led Bruins.

The key was USC coach Bob Boyd’s halftime decision to switch from a zone to man-to-man defense.

“I want to congratulate Bob for the way USC came back,” John Wooden said. “I can’t recall when we lost a game with that big of a margin that late in the game.”

The Trojan team also featured USC greats Paul Westphal and Ron Riley.

  • This was just a blip in 1977 but turned out to be a huge moment for USC women’s basketball.
  • Two days before a colossal USC-UCLA basketball game at the Sports Arena to decide the Pac-8 title in 1974, about 40 male and one female USC students promoted the contest by streaking three blocks on a rain-soaked afternoon.

Hundreds of students crowded the streets in anticipation along with TV crews.

“It’s better than Oceanography (class),” a student observed.

  • Remember Christine Lund? She spoke at USC on Dec. 2, 1974.
  • Barbara Eden (left) and Barbara Feldon pose for publicity shots on the USC campus for their 1975 movie, “Let’s Switch.” The plot was a housewife and editor of a women’s magazine switch lives for a week to see what their lives might have been like.
  • The Row has always been viewed as the social epicenter of USC, but it’s also had its share of tragedy. As the school year was about to start in 1974, the campus was stunned as two students were killed execution-style one week before registration.

Donna Louise Walker, 19, of Westwood and her boyfriend, John Thorne Davis, 22, of Hollywood, were murdered in an early morning shooting outside the Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

The shootings occurred just as USC was about to begin sorority rush and a joint statement was issued by USC president John Hubbard and Mayor Tom Bradley as questions arose about safety around the campus.

“Our hearts go out to the parents, friends and classmates of these two fine young people,” Hubbard said. “A senseless tragedy like this is impossible to explain or understand.”

  • Disneyland offered a Trojan night in 1974 that featured the Carpenters, Nelson Riddle and, get this, free parking. Surely this is all a fantasy. Like the $7.50 ticket.

IT’S A SMALL WORLD

Last week, I ran this photo of USC student Chris Econ at the 1975 opening of the 32nd Street Market at the University Village. A reader tells me she is the mother of former USC volleyball players Donny, Lauren and Jimmy Killian.

CONCERT THE OF WEEK

It’s not USC but what a concert in 1973 at Trenton State in New Jersey.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

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

  1. Hey, George Tirebiter, this is so much fun us being the only true Independents on the board with these crazed Repubs and Demos’ fanatics going at each other as if it’s going to make much of a difference

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      1. But Grabbbyy, is that any worse than the people who claim to be Christians casting judgement on OJ yesterday (and for the past 30 years)? I think not.

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      4. Are you sure YOU aren’t Gabriela…making shit up the way you just did?

        Nowhere did I claim we shouldn’t seek justice. I never claimed he shouldn’t have been charged! Just don’t cry like a bitch because the verdict didn’t go your way. When you ignore the verdict and refer to him as a murderer, that’s exactly what you’re doing. And yes, you ARE going against any claimed “Christian beliefs” in doing so. You are acting as if it’s YOUR place to judge because the jury didn’t do what YOU believe they should have.

        I never even claimed he didn’t do it. I said quite explicitly, “IF he did it, he’s answering for it now.”

        I’m more in agreement with Parcel. I’m not 100% convinced he did it, (but do lean in that direction).

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      5. Jesus never told us not to judge wife beaters like OJ. Rnacting punishment lies with the ruling authorities like MG alone. This is made clear by Paul who states that rulers are ‘God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.’It was important that the community see a public response to crime in order to avoid private vengeance and ongoing feuds. When jury nulliification occurs people lose faith in the system exacting justice.

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      6. Faith in the justice system? Who ever had that?

        Geranimo Pratt was a member of the Black Panthers and under surveillance by the FBI in Oakland at the same time a murder occurred in Santa Monica in 1968. When the D.A. charged him, the FBI knew he wasn’t guilty but figured it would be great if he got locked up. They wouldn’t have to watch him anymore.

        Halfway through the trial, the D.A. learned of the truth, but that didn’t stop them. They went ahead with the trial, conviction and had him locked up.

        It’s not like it is on TV and in the movies. They don’t care about the truth. All they care about is maintaining their conviction rates.

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  2. Yes, yes, thanks Scott Wolf for bringing tears to my eyes. Some bad words were said about OJ yesterday at his death but in his ‘defense’ he was otherwise a good man, well-met with the Press, cooperative with his fans coupled with a warm smile all the while

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    1. Ridiculous the way they handled that OJ situation in 2002. He was not convicted. Get over it!

      What’s really funny is, I know many of the people who would make fun of Biden voters having gone the way they did because mean tweets hurt their feelings, are among the biggest criers about the OJ verdict. The ol’ Rules For Thee, But Not For Me saying comes to mind.

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      1. Mainstream Media Position: If Fred Goldman says it’s so, it must be so. Respecting a court decision is no longer the thing in this country, as Biden has shown on every Supreme Court decision he doesn’t like. Deafening silence on the ones that goes his way.

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      3. No kidding! This second attempt to forgive student loans after the SCOTUS decision on the last attempt makes it obvious that Joe believes HE IS ABOVE THE LAW, as much as his side likes to claim no one is.

        Liked by 3 people

  3. That 1974 game with ‘Yucla’ set up the 55-24 monster the following week with ND climaxing with the National Title versus Ohio St

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  4. Speaking of Nelson Riddle, when he was approached by Linda Ronstadt’s manager about doing an album of The Great American Songbook, he was reluctant, as he was unfamiliar with her. His daughter reassured her dad “don’t worry, her checks won’t bounce.”

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  5. Alcinder is undefeated early on at Yucla but gets beat back-to-back by SC, an almost impossible task (Note: Yucla got even in 1971 when keeping out a 24-2 SC team from the College Basketball Tournament

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  6. Another outstanding Scottie Friday column to get the weekend off to the right start. Like many of his other columns, this one highlights how college campuses back in the day were so much more focused on the experience of a kid spending the best 4 years of their life learning, meeting exceptional people, being part of the community, and having a ton of fun.

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      1. Amen, brother! How lucky we were! This is why so many successful alums give back to their colleges, because they remember those days so fondly. 

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Good one, Sgt Joe Friday, a great character fantasy, and I cannot get over that Bitin&Stump line from “64”-

    “Indicate precisely what you mean to say             Yours sincerely, wasting away”–

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  8. Think about the way in which USC “punished” O. J. —- he wasn’t allowed back during the tenures of Kiffin, Sark or Helton [“but, please, I need to shake Clay’s hand for keeping Toa at center!”].

    btw, a big Thank You to Scott for this nostalgia-filled Friday column… & glad to get some follow-up on the exquisite Chris Econ —what an angel!

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    1. Yes, MG, I’m sure many of the people who made the decision to banish OJ from the USC family claim to be Christians. Only God knows what is in a man’s heart and is worthy to judge. Pretty obvious from the posts yesterday that MANY are only lying to themselves about their faith and going through the motions on Sundays for appearances. Sad.

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      1. Pretty sad how many excuse a lifestyle of harming women because the guys like OJ, Roman Polanski, Bill Cosby and Harvery Weinstein were good at sports, singing, making movies or acting.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Horrible comparison. The others you named were CONVICTED!!!!! Big difference.

        By the way, do you have any links to where people completely excuse it? Sounds as bad as what someone else wrote yesterday about “elevating people to sainthood after they pass”. Laughed my butt off because I didn’t read one comment yesterday where someone claimed OJ was a saint.

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      4. I guess losing a civil suit means OJ was innocent ? Funny how when you have 12 people who have IQ’s higher than a plant, justice gets served.

        Funny how you play the religion card but forget one of the commandments, thou shalt not kill, or are you the run of the mill Christian who only follows what’s convenient for you.

        Liked by 2 people

      5. Do you really need to make shit up to make your point? I didn’t “forget” anything. He’s not a murderer just because you think he did it. The people who mattered here on earth said NG.

        As I said yesterday, pointing to a money grab has NOTHING to do with a criminal conviction. Oh yes, THOSE people were so smart because they gave you the verdict YOU wanted! Anyone else has a low IQ.

        Ok, Donald Trump. LOL

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      1. Would explain the anger issues. Also, the 24-48 down times, maybe following chemo. Not having a real job and knocking anyone who “trades hours for dollars”. Hmmmmm.

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      2. I actually go back a looonnnggg way with this O. J. story. After the murder of Nicole, the Los Angeles Times asked me to comment on why a particular domestic violence case against O. J. was “settled” in chambers [meaning not in open court] by a deputy I had great respect for —- I told them it wasn’t unusual for cases to be disposed of in chambers. I think O. J. was placed on Summary Probation for that one …but, honestly, I can’t remember for sure. I obviously do remember that, prior to the murder, L.A.P.D. [and the City in general] had respect and affection for O. J. Everybody kinda wanted to turn a blind eye to his dark side —-mainly because he was so engaging in public. Maybe a lot of that was an act —but it wasn’t ALL an act. 

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    3. Bruce Jenner actually had the nerve to tweet out “Good riddance” about OJ! The scumbag who killed a woman on PCH (likely from distracted driving) and only got away with it because of who HE is.

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    1. Yes, So Cal. That IS a hoot. But…know what?…. that’s only a minor hoot compared to the hoots which are coming between now and November.

      #TheDemsWillStopAtNothingToPreventTheirCrimesInvestigated

      By the way, I understand Biden wants to give the World Health Organization complete & exclusive authority to handle any health “crisis” arising in the United States. I’d suggest W.H.O. expressly adopt the United States Bill of Rights before that happens [you know, freedom of speech, assembly, right to bear arms, etc.]……

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      1. Joe Rogan said a few days ago what I’ve said for almost a year. The rug will be pulled out from under Joe soon and Gavin inserted as their candidate. I think they realize people aren’t going to be as stupid this year as they were in 2020.

        Just as in The Wizard Of Oz, the curtain has been pulled back and many are smart enough to open their eyes and see what many of us saw BEFORE the last election.

        Liked by 2 people

  10. I don’t believe OJ being nice was an act, the dude was an extrovert, he loved people and how they respected him so, and he liked to talk was a good talker. Carroll allowed OJ to come to SC one time until the word got out outlawing him forevermore, saying how the players flocked to him, an SC legend

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    1. I shouldn’t have characterized O. J.’s amiability as an act. O. J. could afford to be nice to fans…that’s easy. When he felt disrespected another side came out. His problem resembled Mike Tyson’s — fans will tell you that Mike can be a regular doll at events —-but there are also lots of stories about Mike losing his temper and getting physical when guys rub him the wrong way. [But even Mike —at his worst —would never murder a loved one with a hunting knife for crossing him].

      You’re right to point out O. J. wasn’t the devil incarnate……but forgive me if I have to say Scott’s even-handed recollections didn’t “bring tears to my eyes.”

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    2. JFC , isn’t your wife supposedly a psychologist ? If she’s any good, she’ll tell you that OJ is a psychopath, look at their traits, he’s a classic psychopathic narcissist.

      Pathological liar

      Superficial charm

      Zero empathy

      Grandiosity

      Manipulative

      Disregard for others

      Criminal

      Agression

      Poor behavior control

      He fits all of these, but he went to USC and he was a star player, so that lets him off the hook, fucking pathetic.

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      1. My wife Dr Carol is not “supposedly” a psychologist and I didn’t ask her but she’d probably diagnose OJ as not being a psychopath but a sociopath at times

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      2. …one of those “times” occurred with Nicole….and then another one occurred with Ron a few seconds later or earlier…..

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Looked it up. grabby —- seems like everybody here would get a lot out of it [especially me]!

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  11. Wow! Riley isn’t the complete piece of shit that Carol & Jen are! Good for him.

    The university’s only prominent words on Simpson’s death during Riley’s normal spring football media availability: “Certainly as a head coach here, you obviously know about his history and his legacy, the kind of player that he was here,” Riley said. “We definitely, certainly recognize that, and obviously extend our sympathies to his family on their loss.”

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  12. We’ll obviously never know but the theory about the killer being his son and OJ trying to protect him would definitely paint him in a very different light

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    1. Many parents feel responsible when their kids turn out bad. It’s not crazy to think of OJ wanting to take the fall, because he was so full of himself he figured he would beat the rap.

      Jason attacked an old boss with a knife and cut off the hair of a gf as she slept, after she pissed him off. He had anger issues and was being medicated. Many think he had stopped taking them.

      Let’s not forget how upset he was that night, when Nicole & party cancelled reservations at his restaurant and went to Mezzaluna instead.

      Likely, maybe not. But possible YES. Yes, we’d have to give less credence to the evidence that may have been planted by the Nazi loving Furhman.

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    2. So, his son took OJ’s blood and dripped it all over Nicole’s place ?

      His son dripped his dad’s blood al over the driveway at Rockingham ?

      His son took on that young guy and brutally stabbed him to death ?

      What was Jason’s motive for killing is step mother ?

      Not a fucking chance, but if it makes you feel better, then…………….

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      1. Watch the documentary and then we’ll chat about it. I came right out and said “not likely”.

        My biggest beef is that people want to cry about this case all day long, when they don’t give two shits about all of the innocent people who get convicted or take a plea just because it’s less risky.

        IF a guilty person gets off, there’s a good chance they’re going to do something else, (just as dumbshit did in Las Vegas)!

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  13. In the lead-in picture why does Wolf continually run pictures of Yucla footballers jumping into SC’s end zones

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  14. Scotty likes some pretty faggy bands, next week it’ll be Johnny Mathis singing ” Chances Are ” or fucking Air Supply.

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    1. Being a musician, I like a lot of music and yeah, Air Supply was one of them back in the day.

      But AC/DC, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rush, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Fleetwood Mac are what I listen to most of the time. Styx remains a favorite after all these years and yeah, I know they’re in your “faggy” category. That’s OK.

      Heck, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Royal Crown Revue, Monsters & Men and Aviici are also great!

      Tell me this isn’t a great tune! 😉

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      2. Well, that’s why Dennis left. JY & Tommy wanted to rock out and DeYoung wanted to sing ballads.

        Fools shouldn’t have messed with a good thing! Most of us loved BOTH!!

        Another favorite….Chicago! I loved that after being told by record executives that they’d never sell rock with a horn line they said, “Watch us!!”

        Talk about a bad ass guitar player, Terry Kath could shred it!!! (If only be hadn’t played with his gun while he was getting high. Dumbass!)

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  15. I like “Chances are,” a great make-out song back in the day

    All the dirt on OJ re-emerged for the last time with his death. Come Monday he won’t even be a footnote in our lives

    Once I wished for fame but most Americans can’t even name the country’s presidents so I gave up the idea of becoming president and instead shot for ‘anonymous’

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    1. “Oh fame –thou fleeting bubble —-what fame have I not lost in search of thee?”

         —Captain Hook

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  16. The Athletic is reporting former head coach Chip Kelly is set to earn over $2mil next 2 yrs each @ OH St. as their OC…that makes him 2nd highest asst. there and a near $4mil drop ftom what he was getting paid at Bel Air Tech

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    1. In the movie “Chinatown” they’re asking the $10-millionaire Wrigley I believe why he is still pushing, to which he exclaims “It’s the future,” and so similarly situated is the ex-Yucla coach who has enough dough for several lifetimes but in his “future” he wanted an easier job, peace of mind

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  17. THANK YOU JOHN. SO CAL. TIM. PASADENA. ANDE OTHER LIKE MINDED POSTERS. OUR POSTS TELL A LOT ABOUT US. SOME GOOD. SOME NOT. FINALLY WHO THE HELL ARE WE TO JUDGE OJ OR ANYONE ELSE. THATS ONLY FOR GOD TO DO. HATE THE SIN BUT LOVE THE SINNER. JESUS WANTS US TO LOVE EVERYONE INCLUDING OJ

    R I P OJ !!

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      2. …fuck it all —I’m talking above about So Cal’s wine choice, not George’s words on O. J. [which were beautiful….but not delicious]…..

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      2. Oops, you wrote Sirhan Sirhan and my mind went to Jack Ruby. Brain fart!

        Hey, it’s Friday and in my mind, I’m already enjoying a nice cab.

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      5. Josh Cellars Reserve Bourbon Aged Barrel

        Nothing incredible, but better than the Pinot Noir I had last week, La Belle Angele. That was bad.

        Liked by 2 people

      7. It’s nothing out of this world.

        A couple of my favorites are Justin Vineyards and Stags Leap. For a true shiraz, Penfold’s!

        Tom Leykis loves cab francs. I do, too, but they are generally a little pricier. My buddy is not wrong. I am frugal and don’t mind admitting it.

        The bible does tells us though, there is no man stingier than the man who is stingy with himself. I’m often more willing to splurge on others and need to remember that passage. As Loreal commercials used to say…because I’m worth it! :-P

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Flavor Notes
        Rich and complex on the nose with notes of blackberry, dark chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and sweet burnt toffee. In the glass, bourbon barrel aging imparts vanilla, brown spice, and caramel flavors, which blend harmoniously with ripe plum, cranberry, and hints of barbecued meats.

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Ha –“happy pigs –playing in the mud.”

        We’ve had an impact on you. [Time to recall Fletcher Christian’s final words to Captain Bly: ”What a marvelous pig you are —you can thank whatever pig god you pray to that you haven’t quite turned me into a murderer”]……

        Like

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