The 1996 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their 11th and final year under head coach John Robinson, the Trojans compiled a 6–6 record (3–5 against conference opponents), finished in a five-way tie for fifth place in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 325 to 267.[1]
Quarterback Brad Otton led the team in passing, completing 196 of 370 passes for 2,649 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. LaVale Woods led the team in rushing with 119 carries for 601 yards and seven touchdowns. Chris Miller led the team in receiving with 43 catches for 793 yards and five touchdowns.[2]
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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| 11:00 a.m. | vs. No. 11 Penn State* | No. 7 | | ABC | L 7–24 | 77,716 |
September 7 | 12:30 p.m. | at Illinois* | No. 19 | | ABC | W 55–3 | 56,504 |
September 14 | 3:30 p.m. | Oregon State | No. 16 | | Prime | W 46–17 | 48,069 |
September 21 | 12:30 p.m. | at Houston* | No. 15 | | Prime | W 26–9 | 21,035 |
October 5 | 12:30 p.m. | California | No. 17 | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA
| ABC | L 15–22 | 51,511 |
October 12 | 3:30 p.m. | Arizona | | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA
| FX | W 14–7 | 51,088 |
October 19 | 12:30 p.m. | at No. 4 Arizona State | | | ABC | L 35–48 2OT | 74,947 |
October 26 | 7:15 p.m. | at Washington State | | | Prime | W 29–24 | 33,111 |
November 2 | 12:30 p.m. | No. 21 Washington | | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA
| ABC | L 10–21 | 60,039 |
November 9 | 7:15 p.m. | at Stanford | | | Prime | L 20–24 | 41,980 |
November 23 | 12:30 p.m. | at UCLA | | | ABC | L 41–48 2OT | 80,644 |
November 30 | 5:00 p.m. | No. 10 Notre Dame* | | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA (rivalry)
| ABC | W 27–20 OT | 90,296 |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Pacific time
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Game summaries
Notre Dame
Scoring summary
|
Quarter
|
Time
|
Drive
|
Team
|
Scoring information
|
Score
|
Plays
|
Yards
|
TOP
|
ND
|
USC
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
USC
|
30-yard field goal by Abrams
|
0
|
3
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
USC
|
38-yard field goal by Abrams
|
0
|
6
|
2
|
14:23
|
|
|
|
Notre Dame
|
Spencer 1-yard touchdown run, Sanson kick good
|
7
|
6
|
3
|
0:23
|
|
|
|
Notre Dame
|
Champion 25-yard touchdown reception from Powlus, Sanson kick good
|
14
|
6
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
USC
|
C. Miller 5-yard touchdown reception from Otton, 2-point pass failed
|
14
|
12
|
4
|
4:52
|
|
|
|
Notre Dame
|
Denson 9-yard touchdown run, Sanson kick no good
|
20
|
12
|
4
|
1:50
|
|
|
|
USC
|
Washington 15-yard touchdown run, 2-point run good
|
20
|
20
|
OT
|
|
|
|
|
USC
|
Sermons 5-yard touchdown reception from Otton, Abrams kick good
|
20
|
27
|
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
|
20
|
27
|
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Roster
1996 USC Trojans football team roster
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Players
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Coaches
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Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
K
|
19
|
Adam Abrams
|
So
|
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
Roster Last update: 1997-02-18
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Team players in the NFL
References
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Venues | |
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Bowls and rivalries | |
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Culture and lore | |
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People | |
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Seasons | |
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National championship seasons in bold |