USC

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USC

UCLA

FIGHT FOR ROSE BOWL

On the line for USC

1938 USC, 42-7

1958 Tie, 15-15

1963 USC, 26-6

1979 USC, 49-14

On the line for Both Teams

1939 Tie, 0-0

1942 UCLA, 14-7

1944 USC, 40-13

1945 USC, 26-15

1946 UCLA, 13-6 1947 USC, 6-0 1952 USC, 14-12 1961 UCLA, 10-7
1964 USC, 34-13 1965 UCLA, 20-16 1966 UCLA, 14-7

1967 USC, 21-20 1969 USC, 14-12 1972 USC, 24-7 1974 USC,
23-13

1976 USC, 24-14 1978 USC, 17-10 1981 USC, 22-21 1987 USC, 17-13
1988 USC, 31-22 1993 UCLA, 27-21

On the line for UCLA

1949 USC, 21-7

1953 UCLA, 13-0

1955 UCLA, 17-7

1975 UCLA, 25-22

1977 USC, 29-27

1982 UCLA, 20-19

1983 UCLA, 27-17

1985 USC, 17-13

When on the line for USC only

USC leads, 3-0-1

When on the line for both

USC leads, 14-6-1

When on the line for UCLA only

UCLA leads, 5-3

QUARTERBACK

At the outset of the season, USC had three young quarterbacks
fighting for the starting job. Lately, it has gone back and forth
between sophomore John Fox and freshman Mike Van Raaphorst, and
each has performed decently. Fox will start on Saturday.

All you need to know about Cade McNown is that he is the
top-rated quarterback in the nation, and a candidate for the ’98
Heisman Trophy.

RUNNING BACK

It’s been a tough year at USC, with plenty of Trojans getting
the ball in the backfield and none emerging as a star. Free safety
Chad Morton has provided a spark as a recent addition to the
offensive backfield, but Delon Washington gets most of the
carries.

Hicks has topped 1,000 yards rushing for the second year in a
row. Hicks’ numbers (1,025 yards and 24 touchdowns) might be even
more impressive had he not missed two games due to injury.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Juniors Billy Miller and Mike Bastianelli make their share of
catches, but the Bruins will be watching sophomore R. Jay Soward
most closely. Last year, he burned UCLA for six catches and 260
yards.

Known for dropped passes last year, this year¹s receiving
corps is known for big plays. Jim McElroy is having a career year,
and averages more yards per catch than any Bruin in history.

DEFENSIVE LINE

This young unit was supposed to be an area of concern. To say it
has held up would be an understatement: The Trojans’ rush defense
is best in the Pac-10.

The undersized Bruin line has been surprisingly effective:
UCLA¹s defense is ranked 14th in the nation against the
run.

LINEBACKER

The leader of this bunch is sophomore Chris Claiborne, who had
116 tackles last year. This year he has fewer tackles (69) but more
sacks (seven, after zero in 1996).

Maybe the Bruins’ best defensive unit, the linebackers account
for four of the team’s top seven tacklers, despite having only
three as starters.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

This is the most highly touted unit of the Trojans thanks to a
pair of NFL prospects at the corners, Brian Kelly and Daylon
McCutcheon. Yet they have been vulnerable against the pass and are
last in the Pac-10 in passing defense.

Safeties Shaun Williams and Larry Atkins have starred for the
Bruins. But the Bruins may be vulnerable at corner, where youth is
served.SPECIAL TEAMS

Adam Abrams has hit nine of 10 field goals. The Trojans also
boast dangerous return men, with receiver R. Jay Soward on
kickoffs, and free safety/halfback Chad Morton receiving punts.

Chris Sailer made 18 of 22 field goals. Meanwhile, the Bruins
struggled all season long finding a punt returner who could catch
the ball, but they may have finally found one in Eric
Scott.PREDICTED SCORE

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