1959 USC Trojans football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1959 USC Trojans football Athletic Association of Western Universities AAWU 13 14 8–2 3–1 Don Clark 3rd Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum AAWU co-champion The 1959 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1959 college football season. In their third year under head coach Don Clark, the Trojans compiled an 8–2 record (3–1 against conference opponents), finished in a tie for the Athletic Association of Western Universities championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 195 to 90. Total attendance for all 10 games was 453,865.1960 "El Rodeo" (USC yearbook), page 300. Ben Charles led the team in passing with 20 of 46 passes completed for 843 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Jerry Traynham led the team in rushing with 123 carries for 583 yards and two touchdowns. Luther Hayes was the leading receiver with nine catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns.1959 Southern California Trojans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 21, 2015 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1959.html This was the first season for the five-team AAWU, following the dissolution of the Pacific Coast Conference in the spring. It comprised the four teams from state of California and Washington in Seattle. The other four teams from the north (Oregon, Oregon State, Washington State, and Idaho) were independent for several seasons. Schedule 1959 AP September 19 w y y Oregon State Multnomah Stadium Portland, OR 27–6 23,895 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-barbara-news-press-trojans-hand-or/189571665/ Santa Barbara News-Press Trojans hand Oregon State 27–6 defeat September 20, 1959 January 22, 2026 Newspapers.com September 25, 1959 w y 11 Pittsburgh Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 23–0 34,172 Myron Cope Pitt Unable To Threaten Coast Team Pittsburgh Post-Gazette September 26, 1959 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-pitt-unable-to-t/178675451/ August 11, 2025 Newspapers.com October 2, 1959 w y 11 Ohio State 14 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 17–0 49,592 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-usc-whips-ohio-sta/189571104/ The Kalamazoo Gazette USC whips Ohio State 17–0 October 3, 1959 January 22, 2026 Newspapers.com October 17 w y 7 Washington 18 Husky Stadium Seattle, WA 22–15 52,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ogden-standard-examiner-trojans-tip/189571262/ The Ogden Standard-Examiner Trojans tip Huskies in 22 to 15 thriller October 18, 1959 January 22, 2026 Newspapers.com October 24 w 5 Stanford Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA rivalry 30–28 44,209 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-modesto-bee-sc-downs-aroused-indians/189571369/ The Modesto Bee SC downs aroused Indians October 25, 1959 January 22, 2026 Newspapers.com October 31 w y 6 California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA 14–7 37,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-register-sc-comes-from-behind-147/189571460/ The Register SC comes from behind, 14–7 November 1, 1959 January 22, 2026 Newspapers.com November 7 w y 6 West Virginia Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 36–0 34,066 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-union-usc-thunders-again/139062382/ The Sacramento Union USC thunders again 36–0 November 8, 1959 January 18, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 w y y 4 Baylor Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 17–8 43,832 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-trojans-clip-ba/168615548/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Trojans clip Baylor, 17–8, stay unbeaten November 15, 1959 March 22, 2025 Newspapers.com November 21 l y 4 UCLA Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA Victory Bell 3–10 85,917–85,951 '59 Coliseum Attendance in 33.6% Increase https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/172401835/ Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California December 25, 1959 3, part IV May 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 28 l y y 7 Notre Dame Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 6–16 48,682 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=emNWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-PEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3109%2C4741792 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Chicago Tribune Notre Dame mauls Trojans, 16–6 November 29, 1959 1, sports Schedule/Results (1959 USC) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/214414 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics January 22, 2026 Personnel Coaching staff Head coach: Don Clark Assistant coaches: Ray George, Al Davis, Mel Hein, Marv Goux,https://usctrojans.com/news/2002/7/27/Marv_Goux_Ex_USC_Football_Captain_And_Assistant_Coach_Dies.aspx Marv Goux, Ex-USC Football Captain and Assistant Coach, Dies Jim Sears, John McKay Manager: Bob Lambeth Players Al Bansavage, guard, 6'2", 220 pounds, Union City, California Mike Bundra, tackle, 6'2", 232 pounds, Catasaugua, Pennsylvania Ben Charles, quarterback Angelo Coia, halfback, 6'2", 195 pounds, Philadelphia Jim Conroy, fullback, 6'0", 197 pounds, Baldwin Park, California Dan Ficca, tackle, 6'1", 230 pounds, Atlas, Pennsylvania Garry Finneran, tackle, 6'2", 219 pounds, Cathedral Lynn Gaskill, halfback, 6'0", 175 pounds, Banning, California Luther Hayes, end, 6'4", 198 pounds, San Diego, California Clark Holden, fullback, 5'10", 195 pounds, Marshall, California Bob Levingston, halfback, 6'0", 185 pounds, Los Angeles Marv Marinovich, tackle, 6'3", 220 pounds, Watsonville, California Marlin McKeever, end, 6'1", 215 pounds, Mt. Carmel, California Mike McKeever, 6'1", 215 pounds, guard, Mt. Carmel, California Roger Mietz, guard, 5'10", 206 pounds, San Leandro, California Ron Mix, tackle, 6'3", 215, Hawthorne, California Dave Morgan, center, 6'4", 204 pounds, Natick, Massachusetts Al Prukop, quarterback, 6'1", 181 pounds, Mt. Carmel (led the team with 405 minutes played) Jerry Traynham, halfback, 5'10", 180 pounds, Woodland, California Jack Treier, center, 6'3", 208 pounds, Lancaster, Pennsylvania George Van Vliet, 6'2", 195 pounds, end, Whittier, California Glenn Wilder, 6'0", 181 pounds, end, Van Nuys, California Britt Williams, guard, 6'1", 210 pounds, Walnut Creek, California Willie Wood, quarterback, 5'9", 170 pounds, Washington, D.C. References USC Category:USC Trojans football seasons Category:Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons USC Trojans football