FOOTBALL

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

Did you notice I never fell for the nonsense about USC assistant Shaun Nua getting the defensive coordinator job at BYU or Eric Henderson getting the same job at Georgia Tech.

They weren’t getting those jobs and the fanboys still wanted USC to promote from within for defensive coordinator.

  • Look at uncompleted Dedeaux Field. No roof for rain or shaded areas. Smaller than the original. It’s a disappointment. Hopefully when USC has the money in the future, it will get a roof.
  • Former USC guard Stais Boseman will have his Morningside High School jersey retired at halftime of Inglewood-Lawndale basketball game on Friday. The game will be at the old Morningside gym.

Raiders’ owner Al Davis famously invited Boseman to Raiders’ training camp, he was so intrigued by his athletic prowess.

LONG LIVE THE KING

TV viewers for national championship games:

  • 35.63M – Texas-USC 2005
  • 34.1M – Ohio State-Oregon 2015
  • 30.78 – Alabama-Texas 2009
  • 30.1M – Indiana-Miami
  • And now for some history:

UNSUNG TROJAN

A fullback wearing No. 39 evokes memories of Sam Cunningham. But right before Cunningham, was Humphrey Covington, a fullback from Lincoln High School in San Diego, who blocked for O.J. Simpson and Clarence Davis.

Covington came to USC as an all-CIF linebacker but was switched to fullback, a change that worked wonders a few years later for Ricky Bell, when he eventually moved to tailback.

Covington was a selfless blocking back, gaining 114 yards in 1968-69.

“That does get me down at times but you’re just glad to be out there and win,” he said.

Humphrey Covington vs. Cal in 1969, where he gained 25 yards in five carries
  • In 1977, John Wayne attended the USC baseball celebrity game. At the original and superior Dedeaux Field. If USC had a celebrity game now, it would probably get a You Tube influencer as the biggest star.
  • In 1973, a 120-hour Rockathon was held at USC to raise money for Troy Camp and the multiple sclerosis society. Somehow, they got Anthony Davis to participate.
  • UCLA fans see this picture and think of Bill Walton, Keith Wilkes and Tommy Curtis. I see it and think of my favorite backcourt in USC history, Danny Anderson and Gus Williams.

They led USC to a 24-5 record in 1973-74 and non-conference victories over Arizona, Arizona State, Rutgers, Houston and Illinois.

PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Barbara Bach

Marianna Hill

The football palace will be completed in full, of course, unlike Dedeaux Field.

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

  1. Outstanding history. I hate to say this, but I have no recollection of Covington. I recall Dan Scott at FB around that time. Nobody knows more about USC sports that Mr. Wolf.

    My son texted me today that the temp in Chicago is -7 and the wind chill is -29. The governance there is just as bad as CA. That state could become the next Detroit. Happy weekend Trojans, and Mr. Bucket.

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    1. All Inside USC’ers need to pitch in and get 67’s son a winter executive suite in Chicago’s most luxurious, best heated hotel — with perfect view of the city, full bar and aquarium containing a great white shark…

      #AllMealsRoomService,OfCourse….

      #[It’sTheLeastWeCanDoForAPal]

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    2. KAM: Is your son going out to The Lodge or Butch McGuire’s for an Irish Coffee tonight?

      DON: The Lodge is well named because you are lodged in with nowhere to go with all the other customers !

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  2. I’ve heard that Gary Patterson is still asking for this and that to be added to his contract before he officially signs. USC reports only that “they are zeroing in on Gary Patterson.” Is this what “phones ringing off the hook” means? It’s theoretically possible [although very unlikely] this deal could still go south. In which case USC would be royally screwed given the lateness of the hiring season. Bottom line, I’ll be relieved when they do their little presser and introduce Patterson.

    P. S.

    The photo of Barbara Bach should be 3x its present size in order to really qualify for Scott’s “Art Photos” Section.

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      3. Yeah, there was a Ringo wedding [for purely financial reasons] …. but….she remained secretly married to Ed. G for her entire life….

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    1. Yes, I remember when Wooden’s bench players not only made it to the NBA, but would play in the NBA all-star game (I believe Swen Nater was Walton’s backup).

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      1. My bud, Terry Schofield, got brought in against Notre Dame to save Wooden’s streak …. which he did…and Wooden went right back to leaving him on the bench.

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      2. It was always fun to get Ownsie going on “Papa” Sam Gilbert funding the UCLA team. I would always end the post with a Walton quote “UCLA should lose about 10 natties and be on probation for about 100 years.” Sad that Walton is gone, I am afraid Ownsie is as well. Pudly was merciless when it came to Ownsie. I hope Pudly comes back.

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      5. 100%, 67! [I think Terry should have started over Kenny Booker at UCLA…. but I’m a little biased]….

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  4. Take a knee, wolfman, for the kids out there, i’ll retell my favorite John Wooden Story involving Big Bill Walton: Walton was a hippie with hair down to his shoulders, and wanted to challenge “the Man” coach Wooden by showing up with his long hair at the first practice. Wooden had told the two time NCAA POY that he needed to cut his hair before the first practice. Walton shows up with his long wig which he considers his way of pretesting the war, and says he aint cutting his hair. Wooden calmy says: “Bill, i admire people who stand up for their beliefs…we’re going to miss you” no one doubted for one second Wooden would throw him off the team for not complying, and Walton jumped on his famous ten-speed and sped down to Westwood to get a haircut.

    #TrueStory

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    1. Yes, famous story. Those were the days of limited player bargaining power…

      BTW, was the barber shop owned by Papa Sam Gilbert?

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      1. Papa was a Kindly old booster who would give lucius Allen, a poor kid from the ghetto, some burger money and sage advice. his good name was dragged thru the mud by jealous coaches who could not match Wooden’s skills so they tried to create a boogy man outta poor old Sam.

        #WitchHunt

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