USC Trojans football under Larry Smith

Larry Smith was the coach of the University of Southern California's football team from 1987 to 1992. His teams won three Pacific-10 Conference titles and went to five bowl games, winning one. He amassed a record of 44–25–3 and was succeeded by John Robinson.

1987
The Trojans lost their inaugural game of Larry Smith's tenure to Michigan State in the first night game ever played at Spartan Stadium. USC secured a Rose Bowl berth by tying UCLA for the Pacific-10 championship and winning the head to head match. They faced Michigan State again, and lost 17–13.

UCLA
USC clinches berth in the Rose Bowl with the win.

1988
The Trojans won their first 10 games of the season, running the conference table and beating third-ranked Oklahoma at home. They were ranked second in the nation before their match with number-one ranked Notre Dame. After losing to the Fighting Irish in their final regular-season game, they faced Michigan in the Rose Bowl, losing 14–22.

Team players drafted into the NFL
The following players were claimed in the 1989 NFL Draft.

Awards and honors

 * Rodney Peete, Second in Heisman Trophy voting
 * Rodney Peete, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

1989
The 1989 season was intended to start historic fashion, with USC set to play Illinois in Moscow in what was dubbed the Glasnost Bowl. However, the plan to play the game at Dynamo Stadium fell through, and the game was rescheduled at Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans lost the game as the Illini scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

USC won their third consecutive conference championship and gained their 600th program win in a victory against Oregon State. They played third-ranked Michigan in the Rose Bowl and won giving Larry Smith his only bowl victory as head coach.

Washington State

 * Source:

Notre Dame
Statistics
 * Receiving: John Jackson 14 receptions, 200 yards, TD

Team players drafted into the NFL
The following players were claimed in the 1990 NFL Draft.

1990
USC began the season by beating Syracuse in the eighth Kickoff Classic. They also won non-conference games against Penn State and Ohio State, the latter of which was suspended with 2:36 remaining because of severe thunderstorms. The Trojans would finish second in the Pac-10 and lost to Michigan State in their bowl game in an outcome reminiscent of their 1987 season.

1991
After a disappointing loss to Memphis State (now University of Memphis) the Trojans shocked number five Penn State by winning 21–10. The win was a rare bright spot as USC would finish 3–8, including a six-game losing streak to end the season.

1992
USC's hundredth football season was also Larry Smith's last. Though they placed third in the Pac-10 and secured a bowl berth, they lost their last three games including their rivalry games against Notre Dame and. Smith was replaced at the end of the season by John Robinson, who returned to USC for a rare second tenure as head coach.

Game notes

 * Source: Gainesville Sun