1975 USC Trojans football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1975 USC Trojans football Pacific-8 Conference Pac-8 19 17 8–4 3–4 John McKay 16th I formation 4–3 Kevin Bruce Danny Reece Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Liberty Bowl champion Liberty Bowl W 20–0 vs. Texas A&M The 1975 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the Pacific-8 Conference during the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. In their 15th year under head coach John McKay, the Trojans compiled an 8–4 record (3–4 in Pac-8, fifth), and outscored their opponents 247 to 140.Southern California Yearly Results (1975-1979) David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse July 20, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/southern_california/1975-1979_yearly_results.php July 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150722091221/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/southern_california/1975-1979_yearly_results.php dead The team was ranked #17 in the final AP Poll and #19 in the final UPI Coaches Poll. Quarterback Vince Evans led the team in passing, completing 35 of 112 passes for 695 yards with three touchdowns and nine interceptions. Ricky Bell led the team in rushing with 385 carries for 1,957 yards and 13 touchdowns. Randy Simmrin led the team in receiving with 26 catches for 478 yards and one touchdown.1975 Southern California Trojans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 21, 2015 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1975.html Opening with seven wins, the Trojans lost all four conference games in November, and were invited to the Liberty Bowl. Following the season, McKay stepped down as head coach to become the first head coach for the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.Sam Farmer, http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-mckay12jan12,1,5996192.column He took the money and ran – to Tampa Los Angeles Times January 12, 2007, Los Angeles Times, January 12, 2007, Accessed January 12, 2007. McKay was succeeded by Oakland Raiders running backs coach John Robinson, who previously served as the Trojans' offensive coordinator from 1972 to 1974. Schedule 1975 AP September 12, 1975 w y 4 Duke Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 35–7 56,727 https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-bell-has-a-ball-for-usc/139602908/ Independent Press-Telegram Bell has a ball for USC, 35–7 September 13, 1975 January 26, 2024 Newspapers.com September 19, 1975 w 4 Oregon State Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 24–7 50,165 https://www.newspapers.com/article/nevada-state-journal-215-yards-for-ricky/181137637/ Nevada State Journal 215 yards for Ricky Bell in Trojan romp September 20, 1975 September 15, 2025 Newspapers.com September 27 w y 3 Purdue Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 19–6 56,170 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-breeze-reece-bails-out-sluggis/181137715/ The Daily Breeze Reece bails out sluggish Trojans September 28, 1975 September 15, 2025 Newspapers.com October 4 w y y 3 Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 27–16 54,600 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-reserve-qb-paces-usc/181137791/ The Fresno Bee Reserve QB paces USC October 5, 1975 September 15, 2025 Newspapers.com October 11 w 3 Washington State Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 28–10 47,468 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-couga-2810-victim/181137900/ The Bellingham Herald Cougs 28–10 victims of Bell, Trojans October 12, 1975 September 15, 2025 Newspapers.com October 18 w y 3 Oregon Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 17–3 50,542 https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-bell-the-bright-spot-in/181138011/ Oakland Tribune Bell the bright spot in Southern Cal win October 19, 1975 September 15, 2025 Newspapers.com October 25 w y y 3 Notre Dame 14 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry ABC 24–17 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-bell-helps-usc-rally/181134714/ Albuquerque Journal Bell helps USC rally to edge Notre Dame, 24–17 October 26, 1975 September 15, 2025 Newspapers.com November 1 l y 4 California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA ABC 14–28 58,871 https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-cal-smells-roses-after-b/181135807/ Oakland Tribune Cal smells Roses after big upset November 2, 1975 September 15, 2025 Newspapers.com November 8 l 9 Stanford Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA rivalry 10–13 68,249 https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-usc-bowled-over-by-stan/181136593/ Independent Press-Telegram USC 'bowled over' by Stanford November 9, 1975 September 15, 2025 Newspapers.com November 15 l y 13 Washington Husky Stadium Seattle, WA 7–8 53,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-huskies-blitz-offsets/181137243/ The News Tribune Huskies' blitz offsets Southern Cal's Bell November 16, 1975 September 15, 2025 Newspapers.com November 28, 1975 l UCLA 14 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA Victory Bell ABC 22–25 80,927 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-ucla-drops-ball-bu/181138082/ The Los Angeles Times UCLA drops ball but holds Roses November 29, 1975 September 15, 2025 Newspapers.com December 22, 1975 w y y Texas A&M 6 Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Liberty Bowl ABC 20–0 52,129 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-uscs-liberty-punc/169102088/ The Commercial Appeal USC's Liberty punch makes McKay a winner in end December 23, 1975 March 29, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries Duke Ricky Bell 34 rushes, 256 yards https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/usctrojans.com/documents/2020/10/6/usc_trojans_football_2020_media_guide_extra_pages.pdf 2020 USC Media Guide Supplement January 17, 2021 February 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210225154328/https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/usctrojans.com/documents/2020/10/6/usc_trojans_football_2020_media_guide_extra_pages.pdf dead Oregon State January 2021 Purdue Ricky Bell 89 rush yards At Iowa USC 0 7 17 3 Iowa 10 0 0 6 October 4 Kinnick Stadium 54,600 yes Q1 IOWA Quartaro 26 yard field goal IOWA 3–0 Q1 IOWA Holmes 1 yard run (Quartaro kick) IOWA 10–0 Q2 1:26 USC Hertel 3 yard run (Walker kick) IOWA 10–7 Q3 10:03 USC Simmrin 10 yard pass from Hertel (Walker kick) USC 14–10 Q3 USC Hertel 6 yard run (Walker kick) USC 21–10 Q3 USC Walker 47 yard field goal USC 24–10 Q4 11:26 USC Walker 25 yard field goal USC 27–10 Q4 0:20 IOWA Wellington from McLaughlin (pass failed) USC 27–16 yes Eugene Register-Guard. 1975 Oct 5. Retrieved 2018-Nov-09. Washington State Washington St 3 0 0 7 USC 0 14 7 7 October 11 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 47,468 yes 1 Washington St Diedrick 24-yard field goal Washington St 3-0 2 USC Hertel 2-yard run (Walker kick) USC 7-3 2 USC Reece 64-yard punt return (Walker kick) USC 14-3 3 USC Tatupu 28-yard run (Walker kick) USC 21-3 4 4:42 USC Bell 3-yard run (Walker kick) USC 28-3 4 Washington St Williams 5-yard run (Diedrick kick) USC 28-10 yes Ricky Bell 38 Rush, 217 Yds Trojans Stagger Cougars The Palm Beach Post October 12, 1975 At Notre Dame USC 0 7 7 10 Notre Dame 6 8 0 3 October 25 Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana 59,075 Keith Jackson, Bud Wilkinson ABC yes Q1 ND Hunter 52 yard run (kick failed) ND 6–0 Q2 USC Diggs 21 yard pass from Evans (Walker kick) USC 7–6 Q2 ND Lopienski 13 yard blocked punt return (Haines pass from Hunter) ND 14–7 Q3 USC Bell 2 yard run (Walker kick) Tie 14–14 Q4 ND Reeve 27 yard field goal ND 17–14 Q4 7:28 USC Evans 2 yard run (Walker kick) USC 21–17 Q4 USC Walker 35 yard field goal USC 24–17 yes Bells Gains 165, USC Clips Irish The Register-Guard Eugene October 26, 1975 Roster 1975 USC Trojans f 42 Jr Ricky Bell Ricky Bell (running back) RB y 21 So Lynn Cain RB y 26 Jr Shelton Diggs WR y 8 Jr Vince Evans QB y 86 So William Gay William Gay (defensive lineman) TE y 6 So Rob Hertel QB y 61 Jr Donnie Hickman OG y 66 Fr Pat Howell OG y 65 Sr Melvin Jackson Melvin Jackson (American football) OG y 76 Jr Marvin Powell OT y 74 So John Schuhmacher OT y 36 So Mosi Tatupu FB y 44 Jr Mike Burns Mike Burns (American football) DB y 58 So Mario Celotto LB y 85 Fr Garry Cobb LB y 92 Fr Rich Dimler DT y 88 Fr Ricky Jackson LB 79 Jr Gary Jeter DT y 96 Fr Myron Lapka DT y 57 Jr David Lewis Dave Lewis (linebacker) LB y 52 Jr Rod Martin LB y 60 So Clay Matthews Clay Matthews Jr. LB y 33 So Ricky Odom DB y 46 Sr Danny Reece CB y 7 So Dennis Thurman DB y 55 Jr Eric Williams Eric Williams (linebacker) LB y 39 Jr Glen Walker K/P y *John McKay 1975 team players in the NFL The following players were drafted into professional football following the season. Player Position Round Pick Franchise Danny Reece Defensive back 3 69 Cincinnati Bengals Joe Davis Tackle 8 211 New York Jets Mel Jackson Guard 12 328 Green Bay Packers Doug Hogan Defensive back16 454 Oakland Raiders https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1976.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071221231848/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1976.htm 2007-12-21 1976 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com In popular culture Scenes from the November 8 game against Stanford are featured in a 1976 episode of the television series Emergency! entitled "The Game".September 2026 References USC Category:USC Trojans football seasons Category:Liberty Bowl champion seasons USC Trojans football