USC Football Team

117 Years of Tradition | 11 National Titles | 7 Heisman Winners | 141 All-Americans

Tommy Trojan

In the center of the USC campus stands one of the most famous collegiate landmarks in the country: Tommy Trojan. Since being unveiled in 1930 for USC's 50th jubilee, the statue of the bronzed Trojan warrior has served not only as a popular meeting place on campus, but as a symbol of the university's fighting spirit. Sculpted by Roger Noble Burnham, Tommy Trojan cost $10,000 to build. A $1 surcharge then on season football tickets helped pay for it. Inscribed on the statue's base is "THE TROJANS" and the university's seal. Below the seal are inscribed the qualities of the ideal Trojan: "Faithful, Scholarly, Skillful, Courageous and Ambitious."

Trojan

Until 1912, teams at the University of Southern California were known as the Methodists or the Wesleyans. But university officials were unhappy with both nicknames. Athletic Director Warren Bovard, son of university president Dr. George Bovard, asked Los Angeles Times sports editor Owen Bird to select an appropriate nickname. Bird said, "At this time, the athletes and coaches of the university were under terrific handicaps. They were facing teams that were bigger and better equipped, yet they had splendid fighting spirit. The name 'Trojans' fitted them."

Colors: Cardinal & Gold

Before 1895, the official color of USC was gold. The official color of the College of Liberal Arts was cardinal. The college had its own official color because it was the largest academic unit in the University. In 1895, both colors were adopted as USC's official colors.

Source : USC Media Guide

Since starting football in 1888, USC has amassed an impressive all-time won-loss record of 732-298-54 (.700 winning percentage). A December 1998 Sport Magazine ranking listed USC as the No.4 all-time college football program of the 20th century.

USC's record against Pac-10 opponents is a stellar 383-153-29(.704). Since 1959, the Trojans have won the conference championship 16 times and tied for the title on 6 other occasions.

USC has the nation's 6th best bowl winning percentage(.636) among the 68 schools which have made at least 10 bowl appearances and its 30 Rose Bowl appearances is an all-time best. Troy's overall bowl mark is 28-16, including 21-9 in the Pasadena New Year's Day Classic. The Trojans were a bowl participant every year they were eligible from 1972 to 1990.

Think about college football and USC's tailback in the I-formation, one of the most glamorous positions in the sport, immediately comes to mind. Five Trojan tailbacks have won the coveted Heisman Trophy as college football's outstanding player: Mike Garrett in 1965, O.J. Simpson in 1968, Charles White in 1979, Marcus Allen in 1981, and Reggie Bush in 2005. Other standout tailbacks have included Clarence Davis, Anthony Davis and Ricky Bell. And recently, Carson Palmer in 2002 and Matt Leinart in 2004 became USC quarterbacks to win the Heisman Trophy.

The Trojans have had other prominent award winners. Offensive tackle Ron Yary won the Outland Trophy in 1967, offensive guard Brad Budde won the Lombardi Award in 1979, safety Mark Carrier won the Thorpe Award in 1989 and linebacker Chris Claiborne won the Butkus Award in 1998. USC players have been named first team All-American 141 times, with 49 consensus selections and 24 unanimous choices.

Many of those players have led USC to 11 national championships. Legendary Coach Howard Jones(1925-40) guided Troy to 4 of those titles(1928-31-32-39). John McKay (1960-75) was responsible for 4 national championship teams(1962-67-72-74). John Robinson(1976-82), who captured 1 title(1978) in his first tenure, returned to Troy in 1993 and led USC to three bowl wins. Pete Carroll was named head coach in 2001 and led Troy to its most recent national crowns in 2003 and 2004.

Scores of Trojans have gone on to successful NFL careers(there have been 67 first-round picks with a record 5 No.1 selections), including such greats as Frank Gifford, Lynn Swann, Anthony Munoz, Ronnie Lott and Junior Seau, Keyshawn Johnson, Bruce Matthews, Tony Boselli, and Willie McGinest.