The 1979 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season . In their fourth year under head coach John Robinson , the Trojans compiled an 11–0–1 record (6–0–1 against conference opponents), won the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 389 to 171.[1] The team was ranked #2 in both the final AP Poll and the final UPI Coaches Poll.
Quarterback Paul McDonald led the team in passing, completing 164 of 264 passes for 2,223 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. Charles White led the team in rushing with 332 carries for 2,050 yards and 19 touchdowns. Dan Garcia led the team in receiving with 29 catches for 492 yards and three touchdowns.[2]
The team was named national champion by the College Football Researchers Association , an NCAA-designated major selector.[3] :114
Schedule [ ]
Date Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 8 at Texas Tech * No. 1 W 21–752,991
September 15 at Oregon State No. 1 ONTV W 42–532,000
September 22 Minnesota * No. 1 W 48–1461,766
September 29 at No. 20 LSU * No. 1 W 17–1278,322
October 6 Washington State No. 1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 50–2155,117
October 13 Stanford No. 1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA (rivalry ) T 21–2176,067
October 20 at No. 9 Notre Dame * No. 4 ABC W 42–2359,075
October 27 at California No. 3 W 24–1476,780
November 3 Arizona No. 3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 34–762,054
November 10 at No. 15 Washington No. 4 ABC W 24–1760,527
November 24 UCLA No. 4 KABC W 49–1488,214
January 1 vs. No. 1 Ohio State * No. 3 NBC W 17–16105,526
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Game summaries [ ]
Notre Dame [ ]
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
• USC
0
7
14
21
42
Notre Dame
0
7
7
9
23
Scoring summary
2
USC Garcia 12-yard pass from McDonald (Hipp kick) USC 7-0
2
ND Ferguson 1-yard run (Male kick) Tied 7-7
3
USC White 3-yard run (Hipp kick) USC 14-7
3
USC White 1-yard run (Hipp kick) USC 21-7
3
ND Ferguson 21-yard run (Male kick) USC 21-14
4
USC Williams 12-yard pass from McDonald (Hipp kick) USC 28-14
4
ND Stone 2-yard run (kick failed) USC 28-20
4
USC White 1-yard run (Hipp kick) USC 35-20
4
USC White 1-yard run (Hipp kick) USC 42-20
4
ND Male 42-yard field goal USC 42-23
Washington [ ]
by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
• USC
0
10
7
7
24
Washington
3
0
7
7
17
Scoring summary
1
WASH Lansford 30-yard field goal WASH 3-0
2
USC Garcia 8-yard pass from McDonald (Hipp kick) USC 7-3
2
USC Hipp 31-yard field goal USC 10-3
3
USC K. Williams 19-yard pass from McDonald (Hipp kick) USC 17-3
3
WASH Flick 1-yard run (Lansford kick) USC 17-10
4
WASH Skansi 12-yard pass from Flick (Lansford kick) Tied 17-17
4
USC M. Allen 10-yard run (Hipp kick) USC 24-17
[4]
Roster [ ]
1979 USC Trojans football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
RB
33
Allen, Marcus Marcus Allen
3.0 ! So
TE
89
Brenner, Hoby Hoby Brenner
5.0 ! Jr
G
71
Budde, Brad Brad Budde
7.0 ! Sr
WR
86
Butler, Ray Ray Butler
7.0 ! Sr
C
68
Foote, Chris Chris Foote
7.0 ! Sr
G
64
Foster, Roy Roy Foster
3.0 ! So
TE
85
Hunter, James James Hunter
5.0 ! Jr
C
66
Matthews, Bruce Bruce Matthews
1.0 ! Fr
QB
16
McDonald, Paul Paul McDonald
7.0 ! Sr
T
72
Mosebar, Don Don Mosebar
1.0 ! Fr
T
77
Munoz, Anthony Anthony Munoz
7.0 ! Sr
WR
26
Garcia, Danny Danny Garcia
7.0 ! Sr
T
68
Van Horne, Keith Keith Van Horne
5.0 ! Jr
RB
12
White, Charles Charles White
7.0 ! Sr
WR
8
Williams, Kevin Kevin Williams
5.0 ! Jr
Defense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
LB
51
Banks, Chip Chip Banks
3.0 ! So
DT
94
Darby, Bryon Bryon Darby
1.0 ! Fr
S
47
Browner, Joey Joey Browner
1.0 ! Fr
LB
54
Busick, Steve Steve Busick
5.0 ! Jr
LB
87
Curley, August August Curley
1.0 ! Fr
CB
40
Fisher, Jeff Jeff Fisher
5.0 ! Jr
CB
23
Ward, Herb Herb Ward
7.0 ! Sr
LB
56
Johnson, Dennis Dennis Johnson
7.0 ! Sr
DT
96
Lapka, Myron Myron Lapka
7.0 ! Sr
FS
42
Lott, Ronnie Ronnie Lott
5.0 ! Jr
LB
58
McDonald, Mike Mike McDonald
7.0 ! Sr
LB
57
McGrew, Larry Larry McGrew
7.0 ! Sr
LB
81
Scoggins, Eric Eric Scoggins
5.0 ! Jr
DB
49
Smith, Dennis Dennis Smith
5.0 ! Jr
DT
93
Thomas, Kelly Kelly Thomas
1.0 ! Fr
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
1979 Team Players in the NFL [ ]
Marcus Allen
Chip Banks
Joey Browner
Ronnie Lott
Dennis Smith
Jeff Fisher
Bruce Matthews
Don Mosebar
Anthony Munoz
Keith Van Horne
Charles White
Ray Butler
Brad Budde
Hoby Brenner
Larry McGrew
Mike Mcdonald
Dennis Johnson
Paul McDonald
Byron Darby
Steve Busick
Roy Foster
Awards and honors [ ]
Brad Budde , Lombardi Award
Charles White, Heisman Trophy[5]
Charles White, Maxwell Award
Charles White, Walter Camp Award
References [ ]