I was at game in USC rooting section... What I remember most was Sam "Bam" Cunningham's leaping scores, and , before the game, news bulletin of Roberto Clemente's tragic death.... Also interesting that QB Mike Rae kicked extra points, and Anthony Davis did kickoffs.... That never happens now in the age of special teams !
Mike Rae had been the PAT kicker and the backup quarterback to Jimmy Jones for the Trojans in the previous two seasons. By the time 1972 rolled around, I thought he would be gone or some other quarterback would get the starting job, but he turned out to be a dominant player in the Trojan offense. Those first two seasons for Rae were McKay's rebuilding years.
How cool is that. That game was incredible. To win the National Championship by 25 points!!!! The last TD was a gift. You were there, to see the greatest Trojan team ever.!!!!!!!!!
I used to love Coach McKay's comments. After the game he said he was happy to have Sam score all those touchdowns as he had used Sam as mostly a blocking fullback - McKay said " Sam is the best running back I ever ruined"
The onside kick at the end of the game it was so hilarious I've been watching football for all my 60 years, and I've never seen an onsidekick go backwards.😮
Dictate and dominate. That was a great OSU team and defense. Great players on both sides. Southern Cal, smoked them, like roasting Buckeyes over an open 🔥 fire!!!! One of the greatest teams in history.😮😮😮😮
I know that Cunningham was named the games MVP...by scoring 4 short touchdowns. But in my opinion the game's real MVP was QB Mike Rae. His passing was what blew this game open.
I was at this game on the West side of the Rose Bowl. I learned prior to the game, Woody Hayes assaulted LA Times photographer Art Rogers during pre-game warmups. He shoved his camera in his face. I think Rogers had to leave due to injuries. Hayes was not highly regarded on the West Coast. I know the Ohio State faithful are very loyal to him, but he was about as gracious as a crocodile. His stye of offense, 3 yards cloud of dust, was good for running up 40-50 points on Illinois and Iowa, but he had limited success with his Rose Bowl opponents. It was satisfying to see the Trojans hang 40+ on the Buckeyes. The Trojans were the best team in College Football that year and they were arguably John McKay's best all-around team.
2:47 Look at Sam Cunningham hit #28... kaboom.... 10:41 Watch the right HB. Now that is a collision! Greg Hare throws like me. This is not a compliment. I was #68....
10/ 10 tie, bo schembecler nightmar, never got over it,,, big ten wanted best football to beat pac ten football team,quarterback dennis franklin got hurt michigan / ohio state fiotball games
Bo Shembechler kept trying to convert on fourth down rather than kick game tying field goal. Tie would have Sent Michigan to Rose as outright Big Ten Champion. Two field goals would have beaten Buckeyes. Tremendous upset. This Ohio State had Big wins over North Carolina and Michigan
That was the best team in the country, and I am convinced the following year's Ohio State was the best. Either that, or OU and I am so not an Oklahoma fan at all. I think they both beat Alabama or Notre Dame like a rented mule. Course, we can never prove anything.
