American college football season
The 1977 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season . In their second year under head coach John Robinson , the Trojans compiled a 8–4 record (5–2 against conference opponents), finished in a tie for second place in the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8), and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 357 to 212.[ 1] The team was ranked #12 in the final UPI Coaches Poll and #13 in the final AP Poll.
Quarterback Rob Hertel led the team in passing, completing 132 of 245 passes for 2,145 yards with 19 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Charles White led the team in rushing with 285 carries for 1,478 yards and seven touchdowns. Randy Simmrin led the team in receiving with 41 catches for 840 yards and five touchdowns.[ 2]
Date Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source September 10 at Missouri * No. 4 W 27–1065,298 [ 3]
September 17 at Oregon State No. 2 W 17–1031,143 [ 4]
September 24 TCU * No. 2 W 51–054,620 [ 5]
Washington State No. 2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 41–761,809 [ 6]
October 8 No. 7 Alabama * No. 1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC L 20–2163,140 [ 7]
October 15 Oregon No. 6 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 33–1551,120 [ 8]
October 22 at No. 11 Notre Dame * No. 5 ABC L 19–4959,075 [ 9]
October 29 at California No. 10 L 14–1776,780 [ 10]
November 5 Stanford No. 16 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA (rivalry ) W 49–065,101 [ 11]
November 12 at Washington No. 14 L 10–2859,501 [ 12]
No. 17 UCLA ABC W 29–2786,168 [ 13]
December 31 vs. No. 17 Texas A&M * No. 20 Mizlou W 47–2852,842 [ 14]
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Team
1
2 3 4 Total
• USC
0
17 9 3
29
UCLA
10
0 7 10
27
Scoring summary 1 UCLA Carrol 52-yard field goal UCLA 3–0
1 UCLA Brown 1-yard run (Carrol kick) UCLA 10–0
2 USC Jordan 25-yard field goal UCLA 10–3
2 USC Gay 20-yard pass from Hertel (kick failed) UCLA 10–9
2 USC Williams 40-yard pass from Hertel (Gay pass from Hertel) USC 16–10
3 9:57 USC Williams 27-yard pass from Hertel (kick failed) USC 23–10
3 USC Jordan 36-yard field goal USC 26–10
3 UCLA Owens 32-yard pass from Bashore (Carrol kick) USC 26–17
4 UCLA Carrol 20-yard field goal USC 26–20
4 2:51 UCLA Pederson 2-yard pass from Bashore (Carrol kick) UCLA 27–26
4 :02 USC Jordan 38-yard field goal USC 29–27
[ 15]
1977 USC Trojans football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
K
Frank Jordan
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
^ "Southern California Yearly Results (1975-1979)" . College Football Data Warehouse . David DeLassus. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015 .
^ "1977 Southern California Trojans Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 21, 2015 .
^ "Trojans get revenge, 27–10" . The Des Moines Register . September 11, 1977. Retrieved April 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Trojan 50-yard pass averts Beavers upset" . Ventura County Star . September 18, 1977. Retrieved April 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "USC, TCU streaks intact" . The Daily Breeze . September 25, 1977. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Trojans overpower Cougars" . The Bakersfield Californian . October 1, 1977. Retrieved April 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Alabama hangs on to upset Trojans" . The Register . October 9, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Trojans storm back against Oregon" . The Kansas City Star . October 16, 1977. Retrieved April 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Holder's 2 plays spur Irish romp over No. 5 USC" . The Lima News . October 23, 1977. Retrieved April 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "California stymies USC, 17–14" . Santa Cruz Sentinel . October 30, 1977. Retrieved April 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Trojans rout Cards" . Contra Costa Times . November 6, 1977. Retrieved April 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Dog day afternoon for the Huskies" . The News Tribune . November 13, 1977. Retrieved April 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Jordan redeems self with game-winner" . The Billings Gazette . November 26, 1977. Retrieved April 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Trojans' offense trounces Aggies" . Ventura County Star . January 1, 1978. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Eugene Register-Guard. November 26, 1977
Venues Bowls and rivalries Culture and lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold