November 30
1974
USC vs. Notre Dame: “The Comeback”
USC and Notre Dame have long been rivals, drawing thousands of extra fans to the crowd. While every time USC plays Notre Dame is of note, the rivalry game that took place on November 30, 1974 was unlike any other. Sports Illustrated called the game the “17 minutes that shook LA.”
As the game started, it didn’t appear to be an immediate Trojan win. Notre Dame's score went as high as 24-0, with the Trojans yet to score any points. Notre Dame’s line calls were perfectly aligned, while USC was throwing short passes. Notre Dame had a strong first half, led by Clements and Bullock. Trojan fans were losing hope while Notre Dame fans cheered and screamed through the Coliseum.
As soon as the clock started for the second half of the game, the tables turned when Anthony Davis took the second-half opening kick back 102 yards. Five Notre Dame turnovers came next, and soon the USC Trojans had scored 55 points in a matter of 17 minutes. Notre Dame did not score once the entire second half. To this day, the third quarter of “The Comeback” game is the most points ever scored on Notre Dame in a single quarter — a day that went down in history for the fans and players of USC football.
October 6
1923
USC vs. Pomona-Pitzer: The Coliseum’s First Game
Several months after the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum opened its doors to the Los Angeles community, over 20,000 fans swarmed through the entrance to watch the Coliseum’s first ever football game: USC vs. Pomona-Pitzer. The game was a doubleheader, opened by USC’s Freshmen team, known as the “Peagreeners,” playing Santa Ana High School. Next up, the Trojans swept the field against Pomona in a 23-7 win, guided by Coach Henderson. USC showed the crowd they were perfectly at home in their shiny new bowl, equipped with all the comforts and amenities of what was coined the “Greatest Stadium in the World.”
The game was carried by USC’s Dolley and Campbell, who were running through Pomona’s defense until they were dizzy. By halftime, the score was USC 17; Pomona 0. In the second half, Pomona scored their sole touchdown. This was USC’s first of hundreds of wins in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and the first fans of millions to watch football in the stadium.
January 1
1923
USC vs. Penn State in 9th Rose Bowl
Back on January 1, 1923, USC played Penn State in the 9th Rose Bowl, winning with a final score of 14-3.