USC Football: The 35 Most Memorable Individual Performances in Trojan History
Some time ago, I had the pleasure of compiling a slide show that featured a list of whom I thought were the 50 greatest Trojans of all time.
It was a laborious project, one that demanded much in the way of research and angst in the subjectivity of the order of rankings.
When it was done, it was, by and large, well received and the gratification I received in the comments offered by readers of the piece made it all worthwhile.
Now I find myself thrust into another daunting task, that being, a new list featuring some of the greatest individual performances in Trojan football history.
And once again, I find myself struggling with placing these marvelous and historic efforts into some sort of ranking.
Many of the Trojan greats you will read about here turned in efforts that made their way into either the USC, Pac-10 or NCAA record book.
And at least some of these performances are legendary.
But all of them are noteworthy and while I am certain that some may have been overlooked, it is not by malice aforethought or an lack of recognition on this writers part.
Rather, it would be a product of there just being too much history and not enough me.
So, lets get started on this list of all time great Trojan individual performances...
No. 35: Jim Psaltis Returns Two Interceptions for Touchdowns
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Jim who?
David James (Jim) Psaltis was a defensive back for the Trojans back in the day when a good sized secondary player went 5'10", 175 lbs.
Psaltis, who was talented enough to be drafted in the second round by the NFL's Chicago Cardinal's, went 6'1", 190 lbs., a big D-back by pro standards, not just college.
And in the first game of the 1952 season, Psaltis entered the Trojan record book by returning two interceptions for touchdowns against Washington State.
Thus began a very successful season for the Trojans who would finish 10-1 and beat the Wisconsin Badgers 7-0 in the Rose Bowl.
I'll bet the WSU Cougars weren't wondering who Jim Psaltis was as he was cruising toward the end zone after his second pick of the day.
And now you don't have to wonder either.
No. 34: Charles Dean Rushes for Four Touchdowns Against Nevada
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In this slideshow, you are will be seeing names that most Trojan fans are not familiar with.
Myself included.
Such is the case with Charles Dean, a Trojan running back who goes so far back in USC lore that they had not even begun playing in the Los Angeles Coliseum yet.
But the chronological placement of a great individual effort does not bind its recognition and although Dean's effort came against a weak Nevada team, it still bears merit and thus placement in this list.
In the three years Charles Dean lettered for the Trojans (1919, 1920 & 1921), they went a combined 20-2, including a perfect 6-0 in that 1920 season when Dean entered the Trojan record book with those four TD's in leading USC to a 38-7 victory over the Wolfpack.
Those four scores tie a Trojan record for most touchdowns in a game.
Long ago but never forgotten, Trojan nation salutes the memory of Charles F. Dean.
No. 33: Howard Elliott Rushes for Four Touchdowns Against Pomona-Pitzer
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Okay, so Pomona-Pitzer does not come to mind when one considers the college football dynasties of years gone by.
In fact, the game in which Howard Elliott tied a Trojan record by scoring four touchdowns against the "Sagehens" in 1925, was won by a score of 80-0.
But before you go and denigrate Pomona-Pitzer, I would like to remind you that those same mighty Sagehens own a winning record against the Trojans cross town rivals, UCLA.
Besides, Howard Elliott was a good back who also scored three touchdowns twice in games against Idaho and Montana in the 1926 season.
So while the name of Howard Elliott might not be the first that comes to mind when one considers great Trojan performances of past years, it does merit a place in the Trojan record book.
And a spot at #33 in this humble list.
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No. 32: Antuan Simmons Returns Two Interceptions for Touchdowns
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The first memorable performance highlighted here that wasn't fifty or more years ago features a Trojan who played in the late nineties.
And here we find a defensive back who had a pretty nice game against Washington in 1998.
In a forgettable season that saw the Trojans finish 8-5, Antuan Simmons had a memorable game where he entered the USC record book by returning two interceptions in a 33-10 win for the men of Troy.
And in joining the aforementioned Jim Psaltis in the USC record book, Simmons also finds a place on this list.
No. 30: Orv Mohler Goes for Four Touchdowns Against Washington State
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Again, digging deep into the annals of Trojan lore, we find another running back who shares the USC record for rushing scores in a single game (yes, there are a few of them).
But unlike Charles Dean and Howard Elliott, Orv Mohler is a Trojan legend.
Mohler was an all American in 1930 and lettered for USC in 1930-32 and was an integral member of the Trojan teams that won national championships in 1931-32.
In fact, Mohler was on that USC team that was the first to beat Notre Dame in South Bend in 1931.
It was also in 1931 when Orv Mohler entered into the Trojan record book by scoring four rushing against Washington State in that championship year.
In the game against the Cougars, Mohler ran wild behind the blocking of Raymond (Tay) Brown as USC dominated 38-6.
A great game by a great Trojan in what would become a great year.
Isn't that great?
No. 29: Clark Holden Also Goes for Four Touchdowns Against Oregon State
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In what is becoming a recurring theme, a Trojan record was tied when Clark Holden pulled the trick in 1959 against the Oregon State Beavers.
Holden lettered three years for the Trojans and even though his first two years USC was a measly 5-14-1, they got it together in 1959 when they went 8-2.
That 1959 team was pretty good too.
Featuring Ron Mix, Mike and Marlin McKeever, Willie Wood and Marv Marinovich (Father of Todd), the Trojans pitched shutouts against West Virginia, Ohio State and Pittsburgh.
But it was the opening game against the Beavers that gets Holden included on this list.
No. 28: Jerald Henry Ties NCAA Record by Blocking Two Field Goals in a Quarter
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Yes, I know this slide show is supposed to feature memorable Trojan game performances but two blocked field goals in a quarter?
That's sick.
And those two blocked field goals were crucial to the Trojans in that 1994 Cal game which they squeaked out 61-0.
That team would go on to an 8-3-1 record and would obliterate Texas Tech 55-14 in the Cotton bowl.
All that is well and good but only one NCAA record would be set by the Trojans that year and it belonged to Jerald Henry.
No. 27: Ambrose Schindler Beats Ducks Almost by Himself in 1937
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In an otherwise forgettable season for the men of Troy, quarterback Ambrose Schindler found some magic long enough to turn in a sterling performance against Oregon in a game won by the Trojans 34-14.
In that game, Schindler accounted for four touchdowns as the Ducks had no answer for the multi talented QB.
Although the Trojans would end up a pedestrian 4-4-2 for the season, Schindler did his best for one game to take Trojan minds off their mediocrity in 1937.
And for that one game alone, Schindler makes this list.
Schindler + list....hmmm.....
No. 26: Lendale White Scores Four Touchdowns in Win over Arizona
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Ah yes, that magical 2005 season.
You know, the one that never happened.
At least according to the blithering idiots known as the NCAA.
In reality, Trojan fans know that it did exist and on October 1, Lendale White had himself a big day against the Arizona Wildcats.
On that day, White rushed for over a hundred yards and found the end zone four times matching the Trojan record which many others have also accomplished.
Nonetheless, scoring four touchdowns in a game is a big accomplishment and one that bears inclusion in this list of memorable Trojan performances.
No matter what the hypocrites at the NCAA say.
No. 25: Pete Beathard Throws for Four Touchdowns in Trojan Rose Bowl Win
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In a Rose Bowl that has been described as one of the most exciting of all time, Trojan quarterback Pete Beathard made the most of a minimum of passes to propel USC to victory.
In the 1963 Granddaddy of them all, the Trojans raced out to a big lead before Wisconsin's Ron VanderKelen almost brought the Badgers back.
That Beathard threw for those four touchdowns was impressive enough but what is really amazing is that he only attempted 12 passes total and half of those eight tosses he completed went for scores.
Going eight for 12 for 190 yards was good enough for Beathard to be named Co-MVP with VanderKelen who went for 401 yards in the loss.
No. 24: Doyle Nave Is the Unlikely Hero in 1939 Rose Bowl
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Let me set it up for you.
Duke is the powerhouse of college football in 1939.
In fact, Duke is so good that year that when they faced the Trojans in the 1939 Rose Bowl, they hadn't been scored on all year.
Think about that for moment.
And so it went in the Rose Bowl too for three quarters.
After falling behind 3-0, things were not looking good entering the last quarter for the cardinal and gold.
USC wasn't able to do much and when seldom used (he played 28 minutes all season) Doyle Nave was summoned in the fourth quarter to guide the Trojans, little hope was mustered from the USC faithful.
But then Nave completed four straight passes, the last one a 19 yard touchdown to second string tight end Al Krueger in the last two minutes and the Trojans pulled off the stunner 7-3.
In terms of an overall great performance perhaps it doesn't belong on this list.
But memorable?
You betcha.
No. 23: Rob Hertel Throws for Four TD's in the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl
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In a season of relative disappointment for the Trojans, quarterback Rob Hertel found a way to finish the year off right for USC in the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl.
Throwing for four touchdowns, the Trojans dominated the Texas A & M Aggies 47-28 in a game that wasn't as close as the final score would indicate.
The Trojans would finish 8-4 that year but could have had a much better record if not for a one point loss to Alabama and a three point loss to Cal.
Still, Hertel's four TD's remain a record for the now defunct bowl and on that day for Hertel it was true that "everything was better with Bluebonnet on it."
No. 22: Ryan Kileen Kicks Five Field Goals in Narrow Win over UCLA
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Kickers rarely get their due when it comes to football.
That is, unless they miss one.
Then that "due" becomes unmitigated anger and the the little guys have to run for cover.
Not here though.
No, this slide show is happy to celebrate the foot of Ryan Kileen by recognizing his importance in a win over the Trojans cross town rivals in 2004.
You remember that year right?
You know, the one that the NCAA, in all of their "wisdom," wiped off the record books?
Anyway, that magical year when the Trojans went 13-0 and crushed the Oklahoma Sooners 55-19 in the Orange Bowl, almost became 12-1 with an uninspired loss to UCLA.
Except Kileen wouldn't allow that to happen.
Instead, he kicked a USC record five field goals (Tied the Pac-10 record) and the Trojans needed everyone of them as they staved off the Bruins 29-24.
Though the record books may not reflect USC's 2004 season, this slide show will never forget that kicker who on December 4, 2004 had to run from no one.
No. 21: Marcus Allen Goes for Four Scores Against Vols in Magical 1981 Season
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In a season that saw Marcus Allen celebrated with numerous awards for his record 2427 yards rushing, one game that stood out was Allen's four TD's against the Vols in a game won by the Trojans 43-7.
Shredding Tennessee at will, Allen's rushing prowess in that first game of the 1981 season was just a sign of things to come.
Before it was all over, Allen would add many more yards and 18 additional touchdowns to his gaudy numbers that year.
But it all started with a sterling performance on that September day in the Coliseum which would portend of a magnificent season for a running back many consider the greatest Trojan of them all.
No. 20: Charles Phillips Sets Pac-10 Records in 1974 Win over Iowa
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After stumbling in the first game of the 1974 season against Arkansas, the Trojans became almost unbeatable from that point on (they did have one tie against Cal).
And a large part of the reason why was the inspired play of a Trojan defense that suffocated opposing offenses all year long.
On October 5 of that year, in a 41-3 blowout of Iowa, defensive back Charles Phillips showed the Hawkeyes why the USC "D" was so good.
In that game, Phillips broke Iowa's heart by picking off three passes and returning two of them for touchdowns, which tied a Trojan and Pac-10 record.
Oh, and for good measure, his 181 yards interception returns also established a Pac-10 record.
Jeeze, you would think the Hawkeyes would have just run the ball eh?
No. 19: Mike Garrett Burns Cal on Punt Returns
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For Trojan running back Mike Garrett, 1965 was a magical season.
Though USC would only finish 7-2-1, it wasn't because Garrett didn't do all he could to attain perfection.
In addition to his rushing and pass receiving prowess, Garrett played on special teams and did everything but carry the water buckets.
And those efforts would pay off big.
Garrett became became the Trojans first Heisman trophy winner and part of the reason he did so came as a result of his punt returning efforts in a 35-0 win over Cal on November 6, 1965.
In that game, Garrett would set a Pac-10 record for returning two punts for TD's and amassing 162 total yards on those returns, also a conference record.
A great effort and certainly worthy of a place on this list.
No. 18: Carson Palmer Shreds Iowa on His Way to the 2003 Orange Bowl MVP
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The 2003 Orange Bowl between USC and Iowa marked the beginning of a magical run for Pete Carroll and his Trojans.
USC began that year with a couple of early season losses but by the time bowl season came around, many would argue they were the best team in the nation.
And Trojan quarterback Carson Palmer was a big reason why.
In a marvelous season capped by winning the Heisman trophy, Palmer was at his efficient best against the Hawkeyes.
In completing 21 of 31 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns, Palmer and his Trojans were nearly unstoppable.
For his efforts, Palmer would be named the Orange bowl MVP and a place, perhaps too low, on this list.
No. 17: Rodney Peete Throws for Five Touchdowns Against Stanford
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Rodney Peete is one of those fabulous Trojans that sometimes gets lost in the annals of all time great USC players.
Dangerous with his legs as well as his arm, Peete was good enough to finish second to Barry Sanders for the Heisman trophy in his senior year.
And on November 7, 1987, you wouldn't have to do much to convince Stanford of how good Rodney Pete was.
On that day, Peete would set a Trojan record by tossing five touchdowns in a 39-24 victory over their Bay area rivals.
Though the Trojans would only finish 8-4 including a close loss to Michigan State in the Rose Bowl, it wasn't because of the efforts of Peete who did all he could to reach for perfection.
No. 16: Johnnie Morton Snares 15 Passes Against Houston
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1993 was not a good year to be a Trojan fan by any stretch of the imagination.
8-5 overall, including embarrassing losses to Arizona and North Carolina (at home), the Trojans often looked lost and confused and when they weren't, they were just plain bad.
Except on September 4, 1993 when the Houston Cougars ran into a buzz-saw by the name of Johnnie Morton.
In that game, the tandem of quarterback Rob Johnson to Morton was called a Trojan record 15 times in a 49-7 shellacking of the Cougars.
A great game by a wonderful Trojan who would go on to a nice NFL career.
And a sparkling effort in an otherwise dismal season for the men of Troy.
No. 15: Charles White Runs Roughshod over UCLA in Blowout Win in 1979
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To say 1979 was a magical season for the Trojans would be an understatement.
The only blemish was a 21-21 tie against Stanford who was led by some guy named John Elway.
Other than that, USC was perfect and their reward(?) was a #2 AP ranking at the end of the season.
But individually, a Trojan would take home college football's most prestigious honor and it was performances like Charles White's against UCLA that made his garnering of the Heisman trophy an easy call for voters.
On November 24, the Trojans destroyed their cross town rivals 49-14 thanks to Whites four touchdowns which tied a USC record.
That wouldn't be the only memorable game in 1979 for White nor will be the only slide in this show that will feature him.
And the next slide that features Charles White will exhibit him destroying another of USC's fabled rivals.
Talk about having big games when it counted....
No. 14: Keyshawn Johnson Gets the "Damn Ball" 12 Times in the 1996 Rose Bowl
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Say what you want about Keyshawn Johnson, as a Trojan, the man was simply unstoppable.
If you don't believe that, just ask Northwestern who had the unenviable task of trying to slow him down in the 1995-96 Rose Bowl.
In that game, Johnson snared 12 passes as the Trojans outlasted the Wildcats 41-32.
By the way, those 12 receptions went for 216 yards as Johnson toyed with the Northwestern defensive secondary all game long.
However, this wasn't Keyshawn's only memorable performance in a bowl game for the Trojans.
More on that later.
No. 13: Steve Smith Helps Destroy Oklahoma in 2005 Orange Bowl
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According to the NCAA, the 2005 Orange Bowl and USC's dominating season didn't happen.
Well, with no due respect to college football's governing body, this game and that incredible season did happen dammit.
And in the 2005 title game, the Trojans and wide receiver Steve Smith were simply dominant.
Hooking up with quarterback Matt Leinart (more on him later), Smith found the end zone three times en route to the Trojans 55-19 destruction of the Oklahoma Sooners.
All in all, the speedy receiver caught seven passes for 113 yards and on that special night, made life miserable for whomever was unlucky to try to cover him.
And that DID happen no matter what the NCAA says.
No. 12: R. Jay Soward Abuses UCLA with 260 Yards on Only Six Receptions
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In a season with few Trojan highlights, R. Jay Soward did his best to make a loss to UCLA in 1996 a special memory.
In that game, won by the Bruins 48-41, Soward was electric.
With 260 yards receiving on only six catches (an amazing 43+ yards per reception), Soward was the only player for USC that kept this game from being a blowout for the powder blue boys from Westwood.
The Trojans would end the 1996 season with a paltry 6-6 record.
But if every Trojan on that team would have performed the way Soward did in that UCLA game, the results would have been historic to say the least.
No 11: Keyshawn Johnson Dominates in the 1995 Cotton Bowl
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The second of the Keyshawn Johnson slides in this presentation profiles a performance that was even more spectacular than the first.
On his way to becoming the first overall pick two years later in the NFL draft, Johnson served up a major can of "whoop ass" against Texas Tech in the the 1994-95 Cotton Bowl.
In that game, in which the Trojans obliterated the Red raiders 55-14, Johnson was an unstoppable force.
With 222 yards and three touchdowns, Texas Tech simply had no answer for Keyshawn.
In a season that saw the Trojans finish 8-3-1, Johnson was the best college receiver in the nation that year and you will get no arguments from the Red Raiders who saw enough of Johnson to last a lifetime.
No. 10: Matt Leinart Shreds Notre Dame for Four Touchdowns in 2004
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Another one of those games that the NCAA said (yawn) did not exist.
But, as everyone knows, this game did happen even if the Fighting Irish would like to pretend that it never occurred at all.
And who can blame them?
With Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart slicing and dicing the Irish for four touchdowns, USC easily rolled to a 41-10 victory.
Of course, Leinart was a thorn in Notre Dames side for his entire Trojan career, especially in the famous "Bush push" game but this one in 2004 was simply a case where Leinart carved up the Irish secondary with surgical precision.
Though Matt Leinart has been a disappointment in the NFL, he will always hold a special place in Trojan fans hearts and games like the one profiled here a large reason why.
No. 9: Charles White Adds to His Legend by Going for 247 Yards in 1980 Rose Bowl
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Charles White has already made this list before and this slide won't represent the last time you will see him.
The second of three appearances by Mr. White on this list came in a huge game he had in the 1980 Rose Bowl.
In that game, won by the Trojans 17-16 over the Ohio State Buckeyes, White's "phantom touchdown," capped an incredible performance by USC's marvelous tailback.
While the touchdown may have been controversial, what could not be argued was that White's 247 yards rushing was a magnificent effort against a tough Ohio State defense.
And one that cracks the top ten of all time memorable USC individual performances.
No. 8: Carson Palmer Lights Up Oregon on His Way to the Heisman Trophy
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Ah yes, the good old days for Trojan fans when a victory over Oregon was almost guanteed.
One of those days occurred on October 26, 2002 and it featured a record setting performance by Trojan quarterback Carson Palmer in a 44-33 victory over the Ducks.
On his way to the Heisman trophy that year, Palmer threw for a Trojan record 448 yards as the poor Oregon secondary looked on in shell shocked disbelief.
And it wasn't just that he threw for a bunch of yards.
On that day, Palmer also went for five touchdowns as he accounted for all but one TD for the Trojans.
All in all, a pretty nice day at the office.
No. 7: Reggie Bush Goes off on the Fresno State Bulldogs
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I swore that I would not include Reggie Bush in any compilation of memorable USC performances.
After all, according to the NCAA, Bush didn't exist in 2005 and for most Trojan fans, he still doesn't exist after leaving the Trojans to deal with the wreckage of his selfishness.
Nonetheless, anyone who witnessed what Bush did to Pat Hill's Fresno State Bulldogs will not soon forget his memorable performance.
On that night on November 19, 2005, Bush put on a show.
Running the football, catching it and excellent special teams play meant that Bush had accounted for a then Pac-10 record 513 all purpose yards.
An iconic moment in that game was when Bush fielded a punt, ran down the sideline and stopped on a dime as a hapless Bulldog sailed past him.
Bush then calmly finished the run for a touchdown.
An incredible performance by a guy who should be a legend in the annals of Trojan football lore.
Instead, he is a pariah.
But at least he gets a top ten spot on this list.
No. 6: Matt Leinart Scorches Oklahoma in 55-19 Orange Bowl Slaughter
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In a Orange Bowl match between the Trojans and Sooners that was tabbed as a "toss up" by pundits, the final score was anything but close.
And in a memorable performance by Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart, which saw USC gunslinger toss four touchdowns, the men of Troy simply dominated the over matched Sooners.
Leading a Trojan offense that was unstoppable that evening, Leinart threw three scores to wide receiver Steve Smith and one to tight end Dominique Byrd.
Though the NCAA would later strip the Trojans of this victory, anyone who watched the game knows who the best team in the nation was both for the year and in this game.
Leinart would be named MVP of the Orange Bowl that year and his efforts on the field of play earn him a spot at #6 on this list.
No. 5: Adrian Young Picks off Four Passes Against the Fighting Irish
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On their way to a USC national championship in 1967, a very memorable defensive performance was turned in by linebacker Adrian Young against one of the Trojans biggest rivals.
On October 14, 1967, Young stunned the Notre Dame faithful by not picking off one, two or three passes but four in the Trojans 24-7 victory over the Irish.
Two things come to mind when one ponders Young's performance.
First, picking off four passes in a game is simply ridiculous, against anyone much less your legendary rival.
Second, to do it as a linebacker is amazing.
For his efforts in 1967, Adrian Young would be named an All-American.
But for his performance in the 1967 Notre Dame game, Young reserves a spot way up on this list of memorable Trojan performances.
No. 4: Charles White Runs Over, Around, and Through Irish in 1979 Trojan Win
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On his way to the 1979 Heisman Trophy, Charles White stopped by to visit the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend.
While there, White helped himself to a historic game in front of touchdown Jesus, a throng of spiteful Irish fans, and, of course, a national audience.
On that day, White rushed for 261 yards, slicing through the Notre Dame defense with ridiculous ease.
Oh, and to go with it, he scored four touchdowns.
All of which helped lead the Trojans to a 42-23 win in a season which would find USC finishing 11-0-1 and second to Alabama in both the AP and Coaches Poll.
Many think that it was this game that sealed the Heisman deal for White in 1979.
A memorable game indeed.
No. 3: Sam (Bam) Cunningham Changes Alabama Football Forever
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From purely a statistics standpoint, Sam Cunningham's historic game against Bear Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide wasn't an eye opener.
Sure, Bam went for 135 yards and two touchdowns in the Trojans 42-21 victory at Alabama's Legion Field in Birmingham.
Nice game to be sure but nothing approaching inclusion in the record books.
Unless, of course, you are looking for historic social and game changing events in the deep south.
Then it jumps to the forefront of all time memorable performances, not just in Trojan lore, but in the college football landscape.
You see, Alabama fielded an all white team in that game.
Although coach Bryant had signed an African American player to the freshman squad, the notion that a black varsity player could and should be found on the 'Tide roster was obscure at best.
Not after Cunningham ran wild on Alabama though.
That game convinced Bryant that now was the time to integrate. And so he did.
Quite a debut for a Trojan who was just getting his feet wet in the college game.
As Darren Everson quotes Cunningham as saying in a 2009 Wall street Journal article, "It was my first road trip, first varsity game. I was more concerned about getting a chance to play and not making any mistakes."
Though not a huge game in terms of numbers, it was gigantic in the realm of social reform and for this Bam Cunningham's first roadie in college football makes the top three in this list.
No. 2: Ricky Bell Runs Wild in Win over Washington State in 1976
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The runner up slot to the most memorable performance in Trojan history goes to a noble but tragic running back.
Ricky Bell, who passed away far too young from a heart condition, was a magnificent tailback for the Trojans.
A favorite of legendary former USC coach John McKay, Bell's Trojan career was marked by a litany of tremendous efforts but never more so than in an October 9, 1976 game at Washington State.
In that game, with the Trojans in desperate need of a hero, Bell put on his cape and delivered.
Against the Cougars that afternoon, Bell set a USC record by carrying the ball 51 times in a 23-14 win over WSU.
Impressive indeed but that iron man effort was over shadowed by the results of Bell's toting the rock so many times.
When all was said and done, Ricky Bell had gained a Trojan record 347 yards.
Amazing.
When asked later if he was concerned about over working Bell, coach McKay quipped," Why? The ball isn't that heavy."
Typical McKay wit in response to an effort by Bell that was anything but typical.
No. 1: Anthony Davis Breaks Irish Hearts in 1972 & 1974
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There is a reason that Anthony Davis is known as "The Notre Dame Killer."
It is because Davis always found his best games against the Fighting Irish.
In fact, Davis was so good against the Irish that this slide will feature not one but two of his memorable efforts, those having occurred in 1972 and 1974.
Most fans of college football either remember or have heard about "AD" and his efforts in leading the Trojans, who had fallen behind 24-0, to a 55-24 1974 crushing of the men from South Bend.
To those who watched Davis score four touchdowns in almost every conceivable manner, it was a performance that was unmatched in their memory.
Except that it was matched, and even exceeded by Davis against these very same Irish only two years before.
In 1972, Davis poured the foundation of his reputation as the Notre Dame Killer in a 45-23 win over the Trojans bitter rival.
In that game, Davis set the following Trojan records:
Most points: 36
Most touchdowns: 6
Yards averaged per kickoff return: 72.6
And he tied these records:
Touchdowns rushing: 4
Kickoffs returned for touchdowns: 2
For his career, Davis scored a total of 11 touchdowns against the Fighting Irish.
"Notre Dame Killer."
No doubt.
Conclusion
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For the most part, inclusion on this list was based on memorable Trojan performances that occurred either in big games (bowls or rivalries) or were (or are still) Trojan, Pac-10 or NCAA records.
To that end, many other memorable performances by Trojans have possibly been left out.
In no way does this diminish those fantastic performances.
Rather, it just reflects a simple criteria used to separate so many incredible Trojans and their efforts through the ages.
This list, as laborious as it was, also was a revelation.
So many wonderful memories that came flooding back...but also, enlightenment regarding other players, long gone but still they live on in Trojan lore.
I am sure I have missed many great performances and I am equally sure that Trojan fans out there will remind me of them.
And I will be grateful to learn about these performances as well.
Perhaps they will motivate a "re-mix" of this list, or maybe they will earn a place of their own.
Either way, to all the Trojans who are highlighted in this slide show...
Thanks for the memories.
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