By Darin Before the Heisman trophies and the modern “Tailback U” dynasty, there was Morley Drury. Born in the small town of Midland, Ontario, this Canadian-born athlete didn’t just play for Southern Cal—illegally or otherwise, he was Southern Cal in the mid-1920s. As the first superstar of the Howard Jones era, Drury’s legendary 1927 campaign set rushing records that stood for nearly forty years, earning him the eternal nickname “The Noblest Trojan of Them All.” Discover the story of the versatile signal-caller who pioneered the winning tradition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Chicago Tribune Sun Nov 27 1927
Football Bio
February 15, 1903 – Midland, Ontario, Canada – The great Southern Cal Quarterback of yesteryear, Morley Drury, arrived in this life. The National Football Foundation states that Morley was the signal caller for the Trojans from 1925 through 1927. Drury’s finest season came in 1927, when the senior captain used his passing and legs to lead the Trojans to an 8-1-1 record. The only Southern Cal loss that year was a mid-season loss to the powerful Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 7-6. At the end of the season, Drury was rewarded with First Team All-American honors. The National Football Foundation selected Morley Drury for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.
Conclusion
Morley Drury was more than just a quarterback; he was a 60-minute man who dominated on both sides of the ball. His 1927 season, highlighted by 1,163 rushing yards—a school record until 1965—proved that he was decades ahead of his time. When he played his final game, 70,000 fans at the Coliseum gave him a ten-minute standing ovation, a fitting tribute to the man who put USC football on the national map. His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 cemented his status as a foundational pillar of gridiron history.
Verified Accolades & Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1954.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: (1927).
- First USC Player to Rush for 1,000 Yards: Set the record (1,163 yards) in 1927.
- USC Single-Season Rushing Record Holder: Held the record from 1927 until 1965.
- NCAA Record for Interceptions in a Game: Once intercepted 5 passes in a single game against Stanford (while also rushing for 163 yards).
- All-Time Pacific Coast Team: Named as one of the two greatest Trojans on the 100th anniversary team (alongside O.J. Simpson).
- Multi-Sport Star: Lettered in Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Water Polo at USC.
- Team Captain: Led the 1927 Trojans to a Pacific Coast Conference Co-Championship.
- Career Record at USC: Helped lead the Trojans to a 27-5-1 record over three varsity seasons.
