The 1976 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1976 NCAA Division I football season . In their first year under head coach John Robinson , the Trojans compiled an 11–1 record (7–0 against conference opponents), won the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8) championship, defeated Michigan in the 1977 Rose Bowl , and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 386 to 139.[ 1] The team was ranked #2 in both the final AP Poll and the final UPI Coaches Poll.
Quarterback Vince Evans led the team in passing, completing 95 of 177 passes for 1,440 yards with ten touchdowns and six interceptions. Ricky Bell led the team in rushing with 280 carries for 1,433 yards and 14 touchdowns. Shelton Diggs led the team in receiving with 37 catches for 655 yards and eight touchdowns.[ 2]
The team was named national champion by Berryman , Billingsley MOV , DeVold , Dunkel , Football Research , and Matthews , all NCAA-designated major selectors.[ 3] : 114
Date Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 11 Missouri * No. 8 L 25–4649,535
September 18 at Oregon W 53–040,600
September 25 at Purdue * No. 19 W 31–1365,425
October 2 Iowa * No. 13 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 55–055,518
October 9 at Washington State No. 11 W 23–1437,268
October 23 Oregon State No. 7 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 56–053,216
October 30 California No. 4 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 20–660,323
November 6 at Stanford No. 4 W 48–2476,500
November 13 Washington No. 3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 20–349,264
November 20 vs. No. 2 UCLA No. 3 ABC W 24–1490,519
November 27 No. 13 Notre Dame * No. 3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA (rivalry ) ABC W 17–1376,561
January 1, 1977 vs. No. 2 Michigan * No. 3 NBC W 14–6106,182
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
1976 USC Trojans football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Roster Last update: 2021-Jan-04
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Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
USC – Ricky Bell 5-yard run (Glen Walker kick). USC 14–7. Drive:
USC – Simmrin 4-yard pass from Vince Evans (Glen Walker kick). USC 21–7. Drive:
PUR – Skibinski 1-yard run (kick failed). USC 21–13. Drive:
Fourth quarter
USC – Mosi Tatupu 27-yard run (Glen Walker kick). USC 28–13. Drive:
USC – Glen Walker 44-yard field goal. USC 31–13. Drive:
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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#11 USC Trojans (3–1) at Washington State Cougars (1–3)
at Kingdome , Seattle, Washington
Date : October 9Game weather : Indoors (dome)Game attendance : 37,268[ 6]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
USC – Ricky Bell 1-yard run (Glen Walker kick). USC 7–0. Drive:
USC – Shelton Diggs 55-yard pass from Vince Evans (Glen Walker kick, 6:23. USC 14–0. Drive:
WSU – Harold Gillum 4-yard run (Chuck Diedrick kick). USC 14–7. Drive:
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
WSU – Brian Kelly 23-yard pass from Jack Thompson (Chuck Diedrick kick). Tie 14–14. Drive:
USC – Glen Walker 26-yard field goal, 9:26. USC 17–14. Drive:
USC – Ricky Bell 9-yard run (kick failed). USC 23–14. Drive:
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
USC – Randy Simmrin 63-yard pass from Vince Evans (Glen Walker kick), 13:30. USC 14–0. Drive:
Fourth quarter
ND – Vagas Ferguson 17-yard pass from Rusty Lisch (Dave Reeve kick), 14:06. USC 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 68 yards.
USC – Glen Walker 46-yard field goal. USC 17–7. Drive:
ND – Rusty Lisch 1-yard run (two-point conversion failed). USC 17–13. Drive: 76 yards.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
ND
USC – Randy Simmrin – 6 receptions, 121 yards, TD
Ricky Bell was held to 75 yards on 21 carries but USC's passing game thrived with Vince Evans completing six of his 14 passes for 106 yards with Randy Simmrin hauling in six passes for 121 yards and Evans' touchdown pass.
[ 7]
Rose Bowl (vs Michigan)
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