The 1988 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season . In their second year under head coach Larry Smith , the Trojans compiled a 10–2 record (8–0 against conference opponents), won the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 370 to 184.[1]
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.
Quarterback Rodney Peete led the team in passing, completing 223 of 359 passes for 2,812 yards with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Aaron Emanuel led the team in rushing with 108 carries for 545 yards and eight touchdowns. Erik Affholter led the team in receiving yards with 68 catches for 952 yards and eight touchdowns.[2]
Schedule [ ] Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 1 4:30 p.m. at Boston College * No. 8 ESPN W 34–732,000 September 10 12:30 p.m. at Stanford No. 6 ABC W 24–2059,000 September 24 12:30 p.m. No. 3 Oklahoma * No. 4 ABC W 23–786,124 October 1 6:30 p.m. at Arizona No. 3 W 38–1552,314 October 8 1:30 p.m. No. 18 Oregon No. 3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 42–1463,452 October 15 12:30 p.m. No. 16 Washington No. 3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC W 28–2762,974 October 29 1:00 p.m. at Oregon State No. 3 W 41–2031,117 November 5 3:30 p.m. California No. 2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA Prime W 35–373,937 November 12 12:30 p.m. at Arizona State No. 2 ABC W 50–072,023 November 19 12:30 p.m. at No. 6 UCLA No. 2 ABC W 31–22100,741 November 26 12:30 p.m. No. 1 Notre Dame * No. 2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA (Jeweled Shillelagh ) ABC L 10–2793,829 January 2, 1989 2:00 p.m. vs. No. 11 Michigan * No. 5 ABC L 14–22101,688 *Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Roster [ ]
1988 USC Trojans football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
WR
42
Affholter, Erik Erik Affholter 7.0 ! Sr
WR
88
Arrington, Gene Gene Arrington 7.0 ! Sr
RB
34
Ervins, Ricky Ricky Ervins 3.0 ! So
TE
86
Galbraith, Scott Scott Galbraith 5.0 ! Jr
TE
17
Green, Paul Paul Green 7.0 ! Sr
RB
39
Holt, Leroy Leroy Holt 5.0 ! Jr
QB
13
Marinovich, Todd Todd Marinovich 1.0 ! Fr
QB
4
O'Hara, Pat Pat O'Hara 3.0 ! So
C
63
Leggett, Brad Brad Leggett 5.0 ! Jr
QB
16
Peete, Rodney Rodney Peete 7.0 ! Sr
G
75
Tucker, Mark Mark Tucker 3.0 ! So
WR
83
Wellman, Gary Gary Wellman 3.0 ! So
Defense
Special teams
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) Ineligible
Rankings [ ]
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
Week
Poll
Pre
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Final
AP
6 (3)
8 (1)
6 (1)
5 (1)
5 (1)
3 (2)
3 (2)
3 (3)
3 (5)
3 (5)
2 (11)
2 (15)
2 (18)
2 (22)
5
5
7
Coaches
8
8
6
5
4
3 (1)
3
3
3 (2)
3
2 (16)
2 (14)
2 (13)
2 (16)
6
5
9
[3]
Team players drafted into the NFL [ ] The following players were claimed in the 1989 NFL Draft .
[4]
Awards and honors [ ]
References [ ] 
