These are the starting lineups from the program of the 1972 USC-UCLA game at the Coliseum. There are so many stories, led by the McNeil brothers going against each other as USC tailback Rod McNeil faced his brother, UCLA right end Fred McNeil. And they were big-time players. Fred played 12 years with the Minnesota Vikings and in two Super Bowls. USC’s safety, Artimus Parker, still holds the school record for career interceptions (20).
The UCLA backfield of Kermit Johnson and James McAlister were both All-Americans and also starred at Blair High School in Pasadena, where they defeated Bishop Amat (Pat Haden and J.K. McKay), 28-27, in the Southern Section 4-A title game at the Coliseum.
USC linebacker Richard “Batman” Wood was the Trojans’ first three-time All-American. UCLA QB Mark Harmon became a successful actor. You all know about USC fullback Sam Cunningham and the next athletic director, Lynn Swann. UCLA left tackle Bruce Walton is the brother of Bill Walton. USC wide receiver Edesel Garrison was also a talented sprinter. Not even starting is USC sophomore tailback Anthony Davis.
Five USC players were All-Americans in 1972 (Wood, Cunningham, offensive tackle Pete Adams, defensive tackle John Grant, and tight end Charles Young). Three became first-round draft picks that year (Adams, Cunningham, Young). Ten seniors were drafted. Many consider the 1972 team the greatest in college football history. I could keep going but I’ll stop.
USC defeated UCLA, 24-7, and finished 12-0 that season.
You millennials are too young to remember what a beast JaManfred Jackson was. He should’ve been on the conference All Century Team.
We may never see his like again.
The 1972 team was the best in the history of SC. They destroyed all their opponents.
The 1972 team was the best in the history of college football.
The 1979 USC team would have given this team a game, lots of talent on that team, lots of talent.
I still remember that great 17-12 victory over LSU in Death Valley. The tie to Stanford kept that team from the national title even though SC beat #3 Ohio State 17-16 in the Rose Bowl in that classic Charles White led final drive. Bama was #1 that year.
Actually John, as good as the 79 team was they had a huge handicap, John “Let’s play not to get beat” Robinson. Once he got a lead he would go ultra conservative and not blow anyone out. I recall my dad telling me about two games in particular, the 78 Notre Dame game and the 79 Stanford game. In both of those games SC had big leads only to let them back in the game by stepping off the gas.
It was the peak of John McKay’s Hall of Fame career.
Congrats again to the 8,000 strong that made it to the powder blue spring game! Football is alive and well in SUCLA land. Apparently, Owns couldn’t get the bus transfer from Cerritos College.
“What fart breaks through yonder Buttocks.”
I heard there was a simlar crowd in Philly this weekend to watch you lose the Best Chewbacca Costume Contest for the 270th straight time, Gollom-Wolf. You are a nerd legend in your own time.
Mike Rae, the team MVP, won a Super Bowl with the Raiders in 1977, never lost to Notre Dame, should have won the player of the game in 1973 Rose Bowl, and played pro football for eleven years. His caddy was the outgoing athletic director.
Did Mr. Rae play or sit in the ’77 SB
Played…what, too lazy to look it up?
Don’t actually care, but you said Rae won a SB. So did Al issue Mr Rae a zircon encrusted SB ring?
He was a backup to Kenny “The Snake ” Stabler who led the Raiders to a 32-14 victory over Minnesota. Mike played at the end once the game was decided.Once again ruin Fred McNeill came up a loser for the Vikings.
Mark Harmon was a pretty good option QB, what is he doing these days ?
Just watched him last night in the movie “Wyatt Earp.”
At Los Angeles Pierce College
Newspapers,Radio and some TV.couldn’t get enough
press.USC and the Lakers owned the west. LA sports
center of sports world.USC had so many players to follow
during game.
Great post, Scott Wolf, and I never knew Bill Walton had a brother that played football for UCLA .
Walton played OL for the Dallas Cowboys and get this, was part of the Super Bowl X Dallas team that lost in a thriller to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-17 when Lynn Swann was Super Bowl MVP. So Walton never beat Swann.
Who knew?!
I think I’d heard it years ago but had forgotten. Pretty cool trivia.
For the oldsters the 1967 team was best – two consecutive gut wrenching losses to bel-air tech (65′ & 66′), a humiliating 51 – 0 loss to the Irish (66′), Riose Bowl loss to Purdue (Jan 67′) and then that incredible season