The best and most competitive game in college football history. These had the big memorable plays by the stars of college football or some other element that make them some of the most entertaining the collegiate gridiron has ever witnessed.
1931 USC versus Notre Dame and The Origin of a Rivalry
Greatest College Games | 1931 USC versus Notre Dame and The Origin of a Rivalry
The 1922 Rose Bowl
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1931 USC versus Notre Dame and The Origin of a Rivalry
The 1931 clash between the USC Trojans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish wasn't just any college football game. It was a pivotal moment in the sport's history, etching itself in lore for its dramatic comeback and its impact on the national championship conversation.
On November 21, 1931, when the USC Trojans traveled to South Bend to face Notre Dame it was a game for the ages! In fact, it is considered one of the Greatest College Games ever.
-Dominant Irish, Underdog Trojans: The stage was set for a classic. Notre Dame, boasting a 26-game unbeaten streak and national championship aspirations, entered the contest heavily favored. USC, on the other hand, carried a strong 6-1 record but lacked the national recognition of their opponents.
-A Fourth-Quarter Hail Mary: Notre Dame lived up to expectations early, building a seemingly insurmountable 14-0 lead heading into the final quarter. However, the Trojans refused to surrender. Led by quarterback Gaius Shaver and halfback Erny Pinkert, USC mounted a furious comeback. Key plays and a never-say-die attitude chipped away at the deficit.
-Johnny Baker's Game-Winner: With just over a minute remaining, the score tied at 14-14, USC faced a crucial fourth-down situation. Kicker Johnny Baker stepped up to the challenge, nailing a game-winning 33-yard field goal. This dramatic finish sent shockwaves through college football.
-A Turning Point: The 16-14 victory for USC not only snapped Notre Dame's unbeaten streak but also catapulted the Trojans into the national championship conversation. Though there wasn't a single, official title awarded back then, USC's dominant season, culminating in this upset victory, earned them recognition by many as the national champions.
-A Legacy of Drama: The 1931 USC-Notre Dame game is remembered as a testament to perseverance and the power of a well-executed comeback. It cemented the rivalry between these two powerhouse programs and stands as a landmark moment in college football history, forever immortalized as a classic example of grit and determination overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds.
On November 21, 1931, when the USC Trojans traveled to South Bend to face Notre Dame it was a game for the ages! In fact, it is considered one of the Greatest College Games ever.
-Dominant Irish, Underdog Trojans: The stage was set for a classic. Notre Dame, boasting a 26-game unbeaten streak and national championship aspirations, entered the contest heavily favored. USC, on the other hand, carried a strong 6-1 record but lacked the national recognition of their opponents.
-A Fourth-Quarter Hail Mary: Notre Dame lived up to expectations early, building a seemingly insurmountable 14-0 lead heading into the final quarter. However, the Trojans refused to surrender. Led by quarterback Gaius Shaver and halfback Erny Pinkert, USC mounted a furious comeback. Key plays and a never-say-die attitude chipped away at the deficit.
-Johnny Baker's Game-Winner: With just over a minute remaining, the score tied at 14-14, USC faced a crucial fourth-down situation. Kicker Johnny Baker stepped up to the challenge, nailing a game-winning 33-yard field goal. This dramatic finish sent shockwaves through college football.
-A Turning Point: The 16-14 victory for USC not only snapped Notre Dame's unbeaten streak but also catapulted the Trojans into the national championship conversation. Though there wasn't a single, official title awarded back then, USC's dominant season, culminating in this upset victory, earned them recognition by many as the national champions.
-A Legacy of Drama: The 1931 USC-Notre Dame game is remembered as a testament to perseverance and the power of a well-executed comeback. It cemented the rivalry between these two powerhouse programs and stands as a landmark moment in college football history, forever immortalized as a classic example of grit and determination overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds.
Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there!
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