The 1987 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season . In their first year under head coach Larry Smith , the Trojans compiled an 8–4 record (7–1 against conference opponents), won the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 321 to 229.[ 1]
The Trojans lost their inaugural game of Larry Smith's tenure to Michigan State in the first night game ever played at Spartan Stadium . USC secured a Rose Bowl berth by tying UCLA for the Pacific-10 championship and winning the head-to-head match. They faced Michigan State again, and lost 17–20.
Quarterback Rodney Peete led the team in passing, completing 197 of 332 passes for 2,709 yards with 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Steven Webster led the team in rushing with 239 carries for 1,109 yards and six touchdowns. Erik Affholter led the team in receiving yards with 44 catches for 640 yards and four touchdowns.[ 2]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 7 5:00 p.m. at No. 17 Michigan State * No. 19 ABC L 13–2777,922
September 19 12:30 p.m. No. 19 Boston College * ABC W 23–1746,205
September 26 1:00 p.m. at California W 31–1462,000
October 3 6:30 p.m. Oregon State Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 48–1447,979
October 10 1:00 p.m. at Oregon L 27–3439,587
October 17 12:30 p.m. at Washington ABC W 37–2371,678
October 24 12:30 p.m. at No. 10 Notre Dame * CBS L 15–2659,075
October 31 1:30 p.m. Washington State Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 42–724,834
November 7 12:30 p.m. Stanford Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA (rivalry ) ABC W 39–2458,922
November 14 1:30 p.m. Arizona Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 12–1051,428
November 21 12:30 p.m. No. 5 UCLA ABC W 17–1392,516
, 1988 2:00 p.m. vs. No. 8 Michigan State * No. 16 NBC L 17–20103,847
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
1987 USC Trojans football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
K
11
Quin Rodriguez
Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
1
2
3
4
Total
Arizona
7
0
3
0
10
USC
3
3
0
6
12
[ 3]
No. 5 UCLA at USC
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 5 Bruins
7
3 3 0
13
• Trojans
0
0 3 14
17
Scoring summary 1 UCLA Gaston Green 6-yard run (Alfredo Velasco kick)UCLA 7-0
2 UCLA Alfredo Velasco 32-yard field goal UCLA 10-0
2 UCLA Alfredo Velasco 38-yard field goal UCLA 13-0
3 USC Quin Rodriguez 26-yard field goal UCLA 13-3
4 14:09 USC Randy Tanner 6-yard pass from Rodney Peete (Quin Rodriguez kick) UCLA 13-10
4 7:59 USC Erik Affholter 33-yard pass from Rodney Peete (Quin Rodriguez kick)USC 17-13
USC clinched berth in the Rose Bowl with the win.[ 4]