1952 USC Trojans football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1952 USC Trojans football Pacific Coast Conference PCC 4 5 10–1 6–0 Jess Hill 2nd Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum PCC championRose Bowl champion Rose Bowl W 7–0 vs. Wisconsin The 1952 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1952 college football season. In their second year under head coach Jess Hill, the Trojans compiled a 10–1 record (6–0 against conference opponents), won the Pacific Coast Conference championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 254 to 47. The Trojans finished the season ranked No. 4 in the final United Press Coaches Poll and No. 5 in the final AP poll. They faced five ranked opponents during the 1952 season and won four of those games: a 10–0 victory over No. 4 California on October 25; a 33–0 victory over No. 17 Washington on November 15; a 14–12 victory over No. 3 UCLA on November 22; a 9–0 loss to Notre Dame on November 29; and a 7–0 victory over Wisconsin in the 1953 Rose Bowl. USC's victory in the Rose Bowl was the first for the Pacific Coast Conference after seven consecutive losses to the representatives of the Big Ten Conference. Jim Sears led the team in passing with 51 of 105 passes completed for 739 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Leon Sellers led the team in rushing with 103 carries for 386 yards and two touchdowns. Leon Clarke was the leading receiver with 25 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns.1952 Southern California Trojans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 21, 2015 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1952.html Eight Trojans received honors from the Associated Press (AP), United Press (UP), or International News Service (INS) on the 1952 All-Pacific Coast Conference football team: back Jim Sears (AP-1 [safety]; INS-1; UP-1 [halfback]); back Lindon Crow (AP-1 [defensive back]); defensive end Bob Hooks, USC (AP-1); tackle Robert Van Doren, USC (AP-1 [defensive tackle]; INS-1; UP-1); guard Elmer Willhoite, USC (AP-1 [defensive guard]; INS-1; UP-1); guard Marv Goux, USC (INS-1); center Lou Welsh, USC (AP-1); and linebacker George Timberlake, USC (AP-1).The A.P. All-Pacific Coast Football Stars The Kansas City Times November 27, 1952 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2579751/1952_ap_all_pcc_football_team/I.N.S. Selects 1952 All Pacific Coast Grid Team The Tyrone (PA) Daily Herald November 25, 1952 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2579585/1952_ins_all_pcc_football_team/All-Coast Conference Team Nevada State Journal December 3, 1952 9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2579614/1952_up_all_pcc_football_team/ Sears and Wilhoite were also consensus All-Americans.2014 NCAA Football Records: Consensus All-America Selections National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2014 February 10, 2015 6 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2014/Awards.pdf December 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141222163944/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2014/Awards.pdf dead Schedule 1952 AP September 19, 1952 w y 16 Washington State 15 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 35–7 58,288 https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-trojans-crush-c/189136211/ The Honolulu Advertiser Trojans crush Cougars, 35–7 September 20, 1952 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com September 26, 1952 w y 16 Northwestern Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 31–0 59,756 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-duluth-news-tribune-southern-cal-tra/189136329/ The Duluth News Tribune Southern Cal tramples Northwestern by 31 to 0 September 27, 1952 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com October 4 w y 7 Army Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 22–0 48,433 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-mighty-trojans-stagge/189136479/ Omaha World-Herald Mighty Trojans stagger Army in last half, 22–0 October 5, 1952 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com October 10, 1952 w y 7 1952 Naval Training Center San Diego San Diego NTC Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 20–6 40,137 https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times-trojans-score-another-defe/189136678/ Valley Times Trojans score another 'defensive' victory October 11, 1952 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com October 18 w y 7 Oregon State Multnomah Stadium Portland, OR 28–6 17,438 https://www.newspapers.com/article/pasadena-star-news-sears-sparks-troy-ove/189136842/ Pasadena Star-News Sears sparks Troy over Oregon, 28–6 October 19, 1952 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com October 25 w y 7 California 4 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 10–0 94,677 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-94677-see-mighty-usc-defen/189137005/ Minneapolis Sunday Ttibune 94,677 see mighty USC defense rock California 10–0 October 26, 1952 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com November 8 w y 6 Stanford Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA rivalry 54–7 45,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle-trojans-rip-stanfo/189137189/ The Houston Chronicle Trojans rip Stanford by 54–7 score November 9, 1952 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com November 15 w 5 Washington 17 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 33–0 35,852 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-trojans-take-330/189137370/ The Salt Lake Tribune Trojans take 33–0 tilt from Huskies November 16, 1952 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com November 22 w y 4 UCLA 3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA Victory Bell 14–12 96,869 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-light-trojans-roll-over-ucla/189137544/ San Antonio Sunday Light Trojans roll over Uclans, 14–12 November 23, 1952 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com November 29 l y y 2 Notre Dame 7 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 0–9 58,394 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader-irish-spoilers-blank-bowl/189137722/ The Daily Argus-Leader Irish 'spoilers' blank bowl-bound Trojans, 9–0 November 30, 1952 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com January 1, 1953, 1953 w y y 5 Wisconsin 11 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl 7–0 101,500 Trojan Horse in Winner's Circle, 7-0: SC Finally Halts Big 10 Win Streak; Jubilant Troy Rooters Tear Down Goal Posts After Rugged Victory Los Angeles Times Braven Dyer January 2, 1953 1, 2 (part 4) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-trojan-horse-in-wi/179010154/ Newspapers.com 1952 USC Trojans Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1952-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference January 17, 2026 Players The following players were members of the 1952 USC Trojans football team.Player names and details are taken from the 1953 USC yearbook, known as the "El Rodeo", at pages 234-257. Charlie Ane Jr., 6'2", 254 pounds, right guard (offense and defense), #60, Honolulu, Hawaii (All-PCC UP-2) Al Barry, 6'2", 221 pounds, right tackle (offense and defense), #79, Los Angeles (Honorable-mention All-PCC AP) George Bozanic, 6'2", 207 pounds, quarterback (offense) and linebacker (defense), #38, Lander, Wyoming Rudy Bukich, 6'1", 186 pounds, left halfback (offense), #18, St. Louis, Missouri (Outstanding Player, 1953 Rose Bowl) Al Carmichael, 6'0", 185 pounds, right halfback (offense), #21, Hawthorne, California (All-PCC UP-2) Bob Cox, 5'8", 183 pounds, right guard (offense), #62, Pasadena, California Lindon Crow, 6'1", 191 pounds, right halfback (offense and defense), #36, Corcoran, California Aramis Dandoy, 5'11", 182 pounds, right halfback (offense), #27, Torrance, California Ed Fouch, 6'3", 229 pounds, tackle (offense and defense), #49, Santa Ana, California Marvin Goux, 5'10", 181 pounds, linebacker (defense), #20, Santa Barbara, California (All-PCC UP-3 Harold Han, 5'9", 189 pounds, fullback and safety, #46, Honolulu, Hawaii Bill Hattig, 5'9", 164 pounds, left end (offense and defense), #86, Los Angeles Addison Hawthorne, 5'10", 194 pounds, fullback and safety, #23, Los Angeles Bob Hooks, 6'3", 206 pounds, right end (defense), #58, Los Angeles (AP All-Coast Defensive Team) Des Koch, 6'1", 207 pounds, tailback (offense), #43, Shelton, Washington (nation's leading punter with 43.4 yard average) Ron Miller, 6'4", 204 pounds, left end (offense), #88, Los Angeles Tom Nickoloff, 6'3", 218 pounds, right end (offense), #80, Los Angeles Dick Nunis, 6'0", 182 pounds, right halfback (defense), #26, Los Angeles Dick Petty, 6'0", 190 pounds, center (offense) and end (defense), #54, Los Angeles Bob Peviani, 6'1", 212 pounds, left guard (defense), #66, Los Angeles (John Dye Memorial Award as the "outstanding lineman") Jim Psaltis, 6'1", 186 pounds, left halfback, safety (defense), #37, Oakland, California (AP All-Coast Defensive team; led nation with nine interceptions) Ed Pucci, 6'0", 209 pounds, left guard (offense), #64, Canton, Ohio Bill Riddle, 6'0", 190 pounds, quarterback (offense), linebacker (defense), #52, El Centro, California Jim Sears, 5'9", 165 pounds, halfback (offense) and safety (defense), #32 (won W. J. Voit Memorial Trophy; nation's leading punt returner with 15.9 yard average; led the Trojans in total yardage and passes completed; first-team All-American selection by AP, INS, NEA, and Look magazine) Leon Sellers, 6'0", 194 pounds, fullback (offense), #44, Upland, California Don Stillwell, 6'0", 183 pounds, left end (offense), #84, San Francisco Sam "The Toe" Tsagalakis George Timberlake, 6'0", 207 pounds, linebacker (defense), #56, Long Beach, California (AP All-Coast Defensive Team) Bob Van Doren, 6'3-1/2", 203 pounds, right tackle (defense) and defensive captain, #75, San Diego (UP All-PCC first team; UP All-American third team) Chuck Weeks, 6'2", 219 pounds, right tackle (offense), #72, Columbus, Ohio Harry Welsh, 5'10", 168 pounds, halfback (defense), #25, Akron, Ohio Lou Welsh, 6'1", 193 pounds, center (offense), #50, Ontario, California(selected as USC's "most inspirational" player) Elmer Wilhoite, left guard (offense and defense), 6'1", 217 pounds, #73 (first-team All-American pick by UP, INS, NEA, Look magazine, and Collier's Weekly Coaching staff and other personnel Head coach: Jess Hill1953 El Rodeo (USC yearbook), p. 232. Assistant coaches: Mel Hein (line); Joe Muha (backfield); Don Clark (line); Bill Fisk (ends); Walter Hargesheimer (backs); Jess Mortensen (freshman coach)1953 El Rodeo (USC yearbook), pp. 23. Senior manager: John Broadbent Yell Kings: Al Gallion, Bob Arnett, Jim Strode, Larry Stone, and Dick Chapman1953 El Rodeo (USC yearbook), pp. 230-231. References USC Category:USC Trojans football seasons Category:Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons Category:Rose Bowl champion seasons USC Trojans football