The 1972 USC Trojans football team represented the

University of Southern California , mottoeng = "Let whoever earns the palm bear it" , religious_affiliation = Nonsectarian—historically Methodist , established = , accreditation = WSCUC , type = Private research university , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $8.1 ...

(USC) during the

1972 NCAA University Division football season The 1972 NCAA University Division football season saw the USC Trojans, coached by John McKay, go undefeated and win the national championship as the unanimous choice of the 50 AP panelists. Eighth-ranked in the preseason, the Trojans were narro ...

. The Trojans won all 12 of their games and were consensus

national champions National champions are corporations which are technically private businesses but due to governmental policy are ceded a dominant position in a national economy. In this system, these large organizations are expected not only to seek profit but als ...

Schedule

Roster

Rankings

Game summaries

at No. 4 Arkansas

Tailback

Rod McNeill Rodney Carlyle McNeill (born March 26, 1951) is a former American football running back. Selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 1974 NFL Draft, he spent two seasons with them before playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in ...

, who sat out the previous year with a hip injury, led the Trojans with 117 yards on 28 carries while Mike Rae, a backup for two seasons, completed 18 of 24 passes for 269 yards and in the second half completed nine straight passes at one point in his first start.

Oregon State

*Anthony Davis 25 rushes, 206 yards

at Illinois

Michigan State

at No. 15 Stanford

California

No. 18 Washington

Oregon

On a very rainy and cold day, the Trojans were held to their lowest score of the season.

Washington State

at No. 14 UCLA

Anthony Davis Anthony Marshon Davis Jr. (born March 11, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the power forward and center positions. Davis is an eight-time ...

25 Rush, 178 Yds

No. 10 Notre Dame

vs. No. 3 Ohio State (Rose Bowl)

* John McKay's 100th career victory *

157 Rush Yds * Sam Cunningham set Rose Bowl scoring record (previous - 18 by three players) "It's 'bring on Miami' after USC wins easily." Eugene Register-Guard. 1973 Jan 2.

NFL Draft

Ten Trojans were selected in the 1973 NFL Draft, with three in the first round. *

List of USC Trojans in the NFL Draft This is a list of USC Trojans football players in the NFL Draft. Key Selections Notes *Manuel Wright was drafted in the 2005 NFL Supplemental Draft. *Malcolm Moore was drafted in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft. Notable undrafted player ...

References

External links

Game program: #1 USC vs. Washington State at Seattle
– November 4, 1972 {{Pac-12 Conference football champions

USC USC most often refers to: * University of South Carolina, a public research university ** University of South Carolina System, the main university and its satellite campuses ** South Carolina Gamecocks, the school athletic program * University of ...

USC Trojans football seasons College football national champions Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons Rose Bowl champion seasons College football undefeated seasons

USC Trojans football The USC Trojans football program represents University of Southern California in the sport of American football. The Trojans compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Pac-12 ...