1988 USC Trojans football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1988 USC Trojans football Pacific-10 Conference Pac-10 9 7 10–2 8–0 Larry Smith 2nd Chuck Stobart 2nd Rodney Peete Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Pac-10 champion Rose Bowl L 14–22 vs. Michigan The 1988 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second year under head coach Larry Smith, the Trojans compiled a 10–2 record (8–0 against conference opponents), won the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 370 to 184.Southern California Yearly Results (1985-1989) David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse July 20, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/southern_california/1985-1989_yearly_results.php July 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150722090445/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/southern_california/1985-1989_yearly_results.php dead The Trojans won their first 10 games of the season, running the conference table and beating third-ranked Oklahoma at home. They were ranked second in the nation before their match with number-one ranked Notre Dame. After losing to the Fighting Irish in their final regular-season game, they faced Michigan in the Rose Bowl, losing 22–14. Quarterback Rodney Peete led the team in passing, completing 223 of 359 passes for 2,812 yards with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Aaron Emanuel led the team in rushing with 108 carries for 545 yards and eight touchdowns. Erik Affholter led the team in receiving yards with 68 catches for 952 yards and eight touchdowns.1988 Southern California Trojans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 21, 2015 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1988.html Schedule 1988 AP September 1, 1988 4:30 p.m. w y y 8 Boston College Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA ESPN 34–7 32,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-press-democrat-peete-passes-usc-by-b/173435009/ The Press Democrat Peete passes USC by Boston College September 2, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com September 10 12:30 p.m. w y 6 Stanford rivalry Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA ABC 24–20 59,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-times-southern-cal-survives-scar/173531676/ The El Paso Times Southern Cal survives scare September 11, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com September 24 12:30 p.m. w y 4 Oklahoma 3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC 23–7 86,124 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-oklahoma-suptters-sta/173531799/ The Tampa Tribune-Times Oklahoma suptters, stalls in 23–7 loss to USC September 25, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com October 1 6:30 p.m. w y 3 Arizona Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 38–15 52,314 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-trojans-qu/173531899/ The San Bernardino County Sun Trojans quiet crowd, Wildcats in 38–15 win October 2, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com October 8 1:30 p.m. w y 3 Oregon 18 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 42–14 63,452 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bulletin-usc-makes-ducks-pay-for-198/173531997/ The Bulletin USC makes Ducks pay for 1987 win October 9, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com October 15 12:30 p.m. w 3 Washington 16 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC 28–27 62,974 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-huskies-fail-on-2/173532195/ The Los Angeles Times Huskies fail on 2-pointer, and USC wins October 16, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com October 29 1:00 p.m. w y 3 Oregon State Parker Stadium Corvallis, OR 41–20 31,117 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-trojans-rolls-t/173532330/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Trojans rolls to Pac-10 top 41–20 October 30, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com November 5 3:30 p.m. w 2 California Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA Prime 35–3 73,937 https://www.newspapers.com/article/simi-valley-star-usc-overpowers-golden-b/173532469/ The Enterprise USC overpowers Golden Bears, 35–3 November 6, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com November 12 12:30 p.m. w y 2 Arizona State Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ ABC 50–0 72,023 https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-news-peetes-passing-paces-no-2-tro/173532608/ The Sun News Peete's passing paces No. 2 Trojans past Arizona State November 13, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com November 19 12:30 p.m. w y 2 UCLA 6 Victory Bell Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA ABC 31–22 100,741 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-peete-usc-top/173532704/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Peete, USC top UCLA; Irish next for Trojans November 20, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com November 26 12:30 p.m. l y 2 Notre Dame 1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA rivalry ABC 10–27 93,829 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-rice-wins-game/173473491/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Rice wins game of dueling quarterbacks November 27, 1988 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com January 2, 1989, 1989 2:00 p.m. l y y 5 Michigan 11 Rose Bowl Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA ABC 14–22 101,688 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-hoard-is-a-lo/173532895/ The San Francisco Examiner Hoard is a load for Trojans January 3, 1989 May 31, 2025 Newspapers.com Rankings November 2025 1988 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 16 6 (3) 8 (1) 6 (1) 5 (1) 5 (1) 3 (2) 3 (2) 3 (3) 3 (5) 3 (5) 2 (11) 2 (15) 2 (18) 2 (22) 5 5 7 Coaches 0 16 8 8 6 5 4 3 (1) 3 3 3 (2) 3 2 (16) 2 (14) 2 (13) 2 (16) 6 5 9 Game summaries At Boston College 1988 Boston College Eagles football team Florence Mal September 2, 1988 Peete, Trojans Roll, 34-7, Over Boston College https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-09-02-sp-2117-story.html November 23, 2019 Los Angeles Times At Stanford 1988 Stanford Cardinal football team Stanford–USC football rivalry Peete, USC Pass Stanford Near Finish for 24-20 Win https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-09-11-sp-2613-story.html Los Angeles Times September 11, 1988 November 23, 2019 Oklahoma USC Trojans 2; text-align:center collapsed #3 Oklahoma Sooners (2–0) at #5 USC Trojans (2–0) September 24, 1988 Oklahoma 0 0 7 0 USC 7 13 0 3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 86,124 ABC Keith Jackson and Bob Griese First quarter USC – Aaron Emanuel 5-yard run (Quin Rodriguez kick). USC 7–0. Second quarter USC – Quin Rodriguez 33-yard field goal. USC 10–0. USC – Aaron Emanuel 6-yard run (Quin Rodriguez kick). USC 17–0. USC – Quin Rodriguez 23-yard field goal. USC 20–0. Third quarter OU – Leon Perry 2-yard run (R.D. Lashar kick). USC 20–7. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards. Fourth quarter USC – Quin Rodriguez 25-yard field goal. USC 23–7. Top passers OU – Jamelle Holieway – 4/9, 96 yards, INT USC – Rodney Peete – 16/34, 198 yards, INT Top rushers OU – Anthony Stafford – 9 rushes, 28 yards USC – Aaron Emanuel – 10 rushes, 46 yards, 2 TD Top receivers OU – Eric Bross – 4 receptions, 84 yards USC – Erik Affholter – 8 receptions, 94 yards Oklahoma Feels Crunch of U.S.C. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/25/sports/college-football-oklahoma-feels-crunch-of-usc.html The New York Times September 25, 1988 September 1, 2019 SoonerStats.com - 1988 Oklahoma at USC Gainesville Sun. p. 10C. 1988 Sep 25. Retrieved 2022-Dec-16. right Full game Game highlights At Arizona 1988 Arizona Wildcats football team Oregon 1988 Oregon Ducks football team Washington December 2022 At Oregon State December 2022 California December 2022 At Arizona State December 2022 At UCLA 1988 UCLA Bruins football team UCLA–USC football rivalry USC Trojans 2; text-align:center collapsed USC Trojans at UCLA Bruins November 19 USC 7 14 7 3 UCLA 3 13 0 6 Rose Bowl • Pasadena, California 100,741 Gainesville Sun. 1988 Nov 20. UCLA - Velasco 46 yard FG USC - Emanuel 4 yard run (Rodriguez kick) USC - Affholter 29 yard pass from Peete (Rodriguez kick) UCLA - Velasco 27 yard FG UCLA - Velasco 25 yard FG USC - Peete 1 yard run (Rodriguez kick) UCLA - R. Moore 10 yard pass from Aikman (Velasco kick) USC - Emanuel 3 yard run (Rodriguez kick) USC - Rodriguez 21 yard FG UCLA - McCracken 26 yard pass from Aikman (Velasco kick) USC Peete16/28, 189 Yds, TD Emanuel27 Rush, 113 Yds, 2 TD Affholter3 Rec, 60 Yds, TD UCLA Aikman32/48, 317 Yds, 2 TD, INT B. Brown12 Rush, 59 Yds M. Farr9 Rec, 75 Yds The Measles Game Peete Leads U.S.C. to Rose Bowl Berth https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/20/sports/college-football-peete-leads-usc-to-rose-bowl-berth.html The New York Times November 20, 1988 September 1, 2019On Top in L.A. https://www.si.com/vault/1988/11/28/118972/on-top-in-la-on-a-saturday-of-important-matchups-southern-cal-beat-ucla-31-22-to-remain--- November 28, 1988 September 1, 2019 Telander Rick Sports Illustrated Notre Dame #1 Notre Dame at #2 USC No. 1 Fighting Irish 14 6 0 7 No. 2 Trojans 0 7 3 0 November 26 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum,Los Angeles, CA 3:30 EST 93,829 Bill Richardson Keith Jackson, Bob Griese, and Mike Adamle ABC yes 1 10:08 ND Rice 65-yard run (Ho kick) ND 7-0 1 ND Green 2-yard run (Ho kick) ND 14-0 2 2:24 USC Lockwood 1-yard run (Rodriguez kick) ND 14-7 2 0:41 ND Smagala 64-yard interception return (kick failed) ND 20-7 3 USC Rodriguez 36-yard field goal ND 20-10 4 11:55 ND Green 1-yard run (Ho kick) ND 27-10 yes 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team Notre Dame–USC football rivalry Jeweled Shillelagh Notre Dame and USC entered the game undefeated and ranked number one and two respectively for the first time ever in their storied series. It was also the 24th time No. 1 faced No. 2 in college football history.http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/usc/graphics/media-guides/06-footbl/05fbguide208.pdf 2006 USC Media Guide: USC Football History USC Trojans September 1, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20080524023557/http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/usc/graphics/media-guides/06-footbl/05fbguide208.pdf May 24, 2008 dead The Trojans were having a great season under head coach Larry Smith and standout quarterback Rodney Peete. The Irish came into the game as underdogs, but spectacular play of defensive end Frank Stams and cornerback Stan Smagala aided the Irish offense, led by Tony Rice, to an Irish victory. The sellout crowd of 93,829 was the largest in this rivalry since 1955. Vs. Michigan (Rose Bowl) Rose Bowl Michigan 3 0 6 13 USC 0 14 0 0 January 2 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California PST 101,688 Gordon Riese Keith Jackson, Bob Griese ABC 1989 Rose Bowl 1988 Michigan Wolverines football team Personnel 1988 USC Trojans f 42 Sr Erik Affholter WR y 88 Sr Gene Arrington WR 68 Jr Dan Barnes G 43 Sr Jeff Brown RB 24 Jr Aaron Emanuel RB 34 So Ricky Ervins RB y 44 Jr Derrick Gachett RB 86 Jr Scott Galbraith TE y 17 Sr Paul Green Paul Green (American football) TE y 87 So Frank Griffin TE 61 RSr John Guerrero OT 21 Fr Calvin Holmes RB 39 Jr Leroy Holt RB y 80 Jr Travis Konx WR 1 Jr John Jackson WR y John Jackson (wide receiver) 63 Jr Brad Leggett C y 40 So Scott Lockwood RB y 13 Fr Todd Marinovich QB y y 4 So Pat O'Hara QB y 71 Jr Brent Parkinson T 16 Sr Rodney Peete QB y C 2 Sr Dave Powroznik QB 5 Fr Marc Rodgers WR 75 So Mark Tucker Mark Tucker (offensive lineman) OG y 27 Jr Marlon Washington WR 25 Sr Steven Webster RB 83 So Gary Wellman WR y 98 Fr Kurt Barber LB y 7 So Mark Carrier Mark Carrier (safety) S y 53 Jr Delmar Chesley LB 8 Jr Cleveland Colter S 48 Fr Matt Gee LB 92 So Don Gibson DL 2 Sr Chris Hale CB y 93 So Pat Harlow DT y 40 So Craig Hartsuyker LB 90 Jr Dan Owens DT y 35 So Scott Ross Scott Ross (American football) LB y 99 Jr Tim Ryan Tim Ryan (American football, born 1967) DT y 55 So Junior Seau LB y 3 Jr Ernest Spears CB 56 So Brian Tuliau LB 57 Fr David Webb LB 54 Jr Michael Williams DL 11 So Quin Rodriguez K 15 Sr Chris Sperle P *Larry Smith *John Matsko Tom Roggeman Awards and honors Rodney Peete, second in Heisman Trophy voting, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awardhttp://www.goldenarmfoundation.com/past-winners.html Johnny Unitas - Golden Arm Award 2008-01-02 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071216032405/http://www.goldenarmfoundation.com/past-winners.html 2007-12-16 Team players drafted into the NFL The following players were claimed in the 1989 NFL draft. Player Position Round Pick NFL club Erik Affholter Wide receiver 4 110 Washington Redskins Rodney Peete Quarterback 6 141 Detroit Lions Chris Hale Defensive back 7 193 Buffalo Bills Paul Green Tight end 8 208 Denver Broncos Derrell Marshall Tackle 12 332 Buffalo Bills https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1989.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071221203137/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1989.htm 2007-12-21 1989 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com References USC Category:USC Trojans football seasons Category:Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons USC Trojans football