OTD: USC shuts out the Ducks
It wasn’t pretty last year, but the USC – Oregon game on this date back in 1976 was a thing of beauty for Trojan fans.
Sept. 18, 1976
USC was coming off a surprise season-opening loss to Missouri as the Trojans traveled to Eugene, Oregon to take on the Ducks.
Oregon was not a good team that year and they were even worse that day, as USC rolled to a 53-0 win.
USC running back Ricky Bell ran for 1,433 yards in 1976 and he got a chunk of them against Oregon that day. He finished with 193 rushing yards on 32 carries.
But it was the USC defense that stole the show, as Oregon committed 10 turnovers in that game and the Ducks rushed for just 49 yards.
This marked the first of 15-straight wins for the Trojans, as USC went on to win the Rose Bowl against Michigan that year, and then the first four games of the 1977 season.
The 53-0 score against Oregon remains the largest margin of victory for USC in the series.
Other notable “On This Date” events
Sept. 18 2004
USC’s national championship team of 2004 took a little bit to get going against BYU, but eventually pulled away for a 42-10 win.
USC running backs Reggie Bush (124 yards) and LenDale White (110 yards), but topped 100 yards rushing and each scored a touchdown. The USC defense held BYU to just 27 rushing yards as Terrell Thomas, Darnell Bing and Matt Grootegoed all recorded interceptions for the Trojans.
USC finished with a total yards advantage against BYU of 514 – 221.
Previous “On This Date” entries
Sept. 1 – A Dynasty Begins
Sept. 2 – Woo Pig, Again
Sept. 3 – Woody’s Record
Sept. 4 – Renovated Coliseum sees Morton set a record
Sept. 5 – Barkley with the firsts of many
Sept. 6 – Another USC – Stanford Classic
Sept. 7 – Slovis gets his start
Sept. 8 – Stars are injured in USC’s 1979 opener
Sept. 9 – USC’s legendary 1972 team starts with a bang
Sept. 10 – Welcome to the Pac-12
Sept. 11 – Mizz-who?
Sept. 12 – Turning of the Tide
Sept. 13 – Hipp’s game-winner
Sept. 14 – Penn State turnovers lead to USC upset
Sept. 15 – USC dominates Nebraska on the ground
Sept. 16 – Beaten by the Beavers
Sept. 17 – Lights, camera, action
