1970 USC Trojans football team explained

Year:1970
Team:USC Trojans
Sport:football
Conference:Pacific-8 Conference
Short Conf:Pac-8
Coachrank:19
Aprank:15
Record:6–4–1
Conf Record:3–4
Head Coach:John McKay
Hc Year:11th
Captain:Bob Chandler
Charlie Weaver

The 1970 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. In their 11th year under head coach John McKay, the Trojans compiled a 6–4–1 record (3–4 against conference opponents), finished in a tie for sixth place in the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8), and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 343 to 233.[1] The team was ranked #15 in the final AP Poll and #19 in the final Coaches Poll.

On September 12, 1970, USC opened the season visiting the University of Alabama under coach Bear Bryant and became the first fully integrated team to play in the State of Alabama.[2] The game, scheduled by Bryant, resulted in a 42–21 win for the Trojans. More importantly, all six touchdowns scored by USC team were by African-American players, two by USC running back Sam "Bam" Cunningham, against an all-white Crimson Tide team.[3] The game hastened the racial integration of football at Alabama and in the American South.[2] [4]

Jimmy Jones led the team in passing, completing 121 of 234 passes for 1,877 yards with 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Clarence Davis led the team in rushing with 214 carries for 972 yards and nine touchdowns. Bob Chandler led the team in receiving with 41 catches for 590 yards and three touchdowns.[5]

Game summaries

Alabama

Iowa

[6]

Oregon State

Jimmy Jones 15/21, 304 Yds, 3 TD, rush TD

[7]

Notre Dame

[8]

1970 team players in the NFL

The following players were claimed in the 1971 NFL draft.

Player Position Round Pick NFL club
Tackle 1 12 Denver Broncos
Tody Smith Defensive tackle 1 25 Dallas Cowboys
Charles Weaver Defensive end 2 48 Detroit Lions
Sam Dickerson Wide receiver 3 55 San Francisco 49ers
Gerry Mullins Tight end 4 86 Pittsburgh Steelers
Clarence Davis Running back 4 97 Oakland Raiders
Greg Slough Linebacker 6 149 Oakland Raiders
Herman Franklin Wide receiver 6 152 Detroit Lions
Bob ChandlerWide receiver 7 160 Buffalo Bills
Charles EvansRunning back 14 356New York Giants
[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Southern California Yearly Results (1970-1974). David DeLassus. College Football Data Warehouse. July 20, 2015. July 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150722092723/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/southern_california/1970-1974_yearly_results.php. dead.
  2. Book: Yaeger, Don . Sam Cunningham . John Papadakis . Turning of the Tide: How One Game Changed the South . registration . . September 1, 2006 . 1-931722-94-3 .
  3. News: Trojans Have Horses. Lenn. Robbins. New York Post. August 26, 2007. August 26, 2007.
  4. Web site: The Dash Is Off and Running. Pat. Forde. ESPN. August 28, 2007. August 28, 2007.
  5. Web site: 1970 Southern California Trojans Stats. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. July 21, 2015.
  6. News: Trojans Roll Past Iowa. The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. September 27, 1970.
  7. News: Jimmy Jones quiets critics by passing USC past OSU. The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. October 4, 1970.
  8. News: Trojans Down Irish by 38-28. The Register-Guard. Eugene. November 29, 1970.
  9. Web site: 1970 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071221231832/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1970.htm. 2007-12-21. Pro-Football-Reference.com.