Shane Foley USC Report - The USC Notre Dame Rivalry Game

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles, California, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) February 27, 2011 --

As the story goes, in 1926 two ladies got together to create this rivalry, the wife of Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne and the wife of USC Athletic Director Gwynn Wilson. USC was looking for a national rival and a worthy opponent. Rockne initially resisted a home and home series with the Trojans because of the long travel time from the Midwest to Los Angeles. However, leave it to a woman to make it happen. Mrs. Wilson persuaded Mrs. Rockne that a trip to Southern California in late November or December would be much better than a trip to Nebraska or the East Coast at that time of year. And so it was, on December 4th, 1926, the beginning of the USC-Notre Dame series began. Later, it was agreed by both teams that USC would travel to South Bend in October every other year for their game.

Notre Dame won the first game played against the Trojans 13-12 in 1926 with Rockne stating it was the best game he ever saw. The following year they played a tight game won by the Irish 7-6, with approximately 120,000 fans in attendance. The following years looked a lot like the Lakers-Celtics rivalry in the 80’s with USC winning National Titles in 1928, 1931, and 1932 and Notre Dame winning titles in 1929 and 1930. It was these early games that established the tradition and rivalry that still stands today. The 1929 game with Notre Dame winning 13-12 held the largest confirmed attendance in the history of NCAA football at 112,912. The 1930 win by Notre Dame 27-0 was Rockne’s last regular season game that he coached and he considered that team his best and they finished with their 2nd straight title and 3rd overall.

The 1931 game won by USC in a dramatic come from behind win, 16-14, after trailing 14-0 ended Notre Dame’s 26-game unbeaten streak and was the Trojan’s first win in South Bend. It was also their 2nd National Title. Many historians cite this come from behind victory by Howard Jones’ Trojans as the game that put them in the same elite circle as Notre Dame. More than 300,000 people gave the returning Trojans a ticker tape parade upon their return to Los Angeles. The 1932 USC team’s shut out victory 13-0 gave the Trojans their 2nd consecutive National Title and matched Notre Dame’s titles from 1929 and 1930.

There are many legends that coached in this rivalry. Coach Knute Rockne from 1918-1930 was 105-12-5 with 5 undefeated seasons and 3 National Championships. He was the coach of the legendary “Four Horsemen” and is also remembered from the era “win one for the Gipper. “ Notre Dame also had Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Lou Holtz, and now first year head coach Brian Kelly. USC has had greatness as well with Howard Jones going 121-36-13 with 4 national championships in 16 years. John McKay was 127-40-8 with 4 national titles in 16 years. The recently departed Pete Carroll finished with some controversy but there is no disputing his success and impact on college football. When he finished, his record was 96-19 in nine seasons with 7 consecutive PAC-10 Titles, 7 straight 11 or more win seasons, 7 straight top 4 finishes, 2 national championships, and 3 Heisman Trophy winners. There was also John Robinson, Jess Hill, and now first year Head Coach Lane Kiffin. This game will mark the first time since 1941 with USC’s Sam Barry and Notre Dame’s Frank Leahy that both teams have first year coaches.

More information can be found online at http://shanefoleyuscfootball.com

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