The Crosstown Showdown: Five memorable USC moments

(Photo by Bobak Ha'Eri)

With the game against the crosstown UCLA Bruins fast approaching, let's take a look at some of the more memorable USC moments in this epic rivalry.

5. 1999

After coming out on the losing end of the rivalry game for most of the 90's, the Trojans finally broke through in 1999 with a 17-7 win over the Bruins. The win by USC snapped UCLA's eight game winning streak.

4. 1981

The 1981 'Crosstown Showdown' between USC and UCLA featured the kick heard 'round the world. The Bruins had a shot at the Rose Bowl with a win over USC; however George Achica, an absolute force at nose guard for the Trojans had other ideas. Achica blocked Bruins' kicker, Norm Johnson's game-winning 46-yard field goal attempt with four seconds remaining to preserve the 22-21 victory for USC.

3. 1990

The 1990 rivalry game between USC and UCLA featured one of the wildest shootouts between the two teams. The game had four lead changes and the two teams combined to score 42-points in the fourth quarter alone. USC won the game, 45-42, in the closing seconds when quarterback Todd Marinovich connected with Johnnie Morton for the winning touchdown.

2.  1988

Known as the 'Measles Game'. A Rodney Peete-led and #2 ranked USC team went up against a Troy Aikman-led, #6 ranked UCLA team with the Rose Bowl on the line. Peete and Aikman were also both in the mix for the Heisman trophy that year. After coming down with a case of the measles earlier in the week, Peete returned to the Trojans and lead them to a 31-22 victory over Aikman and UCLA.

1. 1967 

Considered the greatest game in the history of the USC versus UCLA rivalry. The 4^th ranked USC Trojans led by tailback O.J. Simpson went up against the #1 ranked UCLA Bruins led by Gary Beban at quarterback. Not only was the conference championship on the line, but the game would also decide the National Championship as well as the Heisman Trophy race between Simpson and Beban. While Beban would capture the Heisman that season, the Trojans knocked off the Bruins, 21-20, and went on to defeat Indiana in the Rose Bowl and capture the National Championship.