UCLA vs. USC: A Rivalry of Hate by Spencer Stueve

Author:Spencer Stueve [Stueve, Spencer]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2017-05-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8: The 1980’s

The 1980’s was a time of change in the United States and in the UCLA-USC rivalry. With the election of Ronald Reagan as President in 1980, it was the beginning of the Reagan Revolution. America would go through a period of economic freedom and see their greatest geopolitical rival crumble. Unlike the Soviets, however, neither UCLA, nor USC, would crumble in the 1980’s, but there would be change. UCLA, under Coach Donahue, would be the team of the decade. While they lacked coaching stability in the ‘70’s, it would be their rival, USC, who lacked stability in the ‘80’s. The Trojans would have three coaches, and while all had success, two would soon be forgotten, unable to fulfill the weighty expectations of Trojan fans. At the turn of the decade, however, the Trojans still reigned supreme, and for Coach Donahue at UCLA, the path to building a positive legacy would be filled with obstacles. He was 0-4 against USC, and in 1980, he was coaching for his job.

The 1980 USC Trojans were led by two men who would become college football and NFL icons. Marcus Allen, recruited as a Defensive Back, was now a Running Back, and as a junior in 1980, he was a star. He rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. On defense, there was Ronnie Lott. The man who would become a National Football League Hall of Famer, and is considered by many the greatest Defensive Back in football history, was a Trojan, and in 1980, as a senior, he was an All-American.

Though Lott is a name now known by most football fans, he was not the best Safety playing in Los Angeles. Kenny Easley was now a senior at UCLA, and for the third consecutive season, he would be named a consensus All-American, and for the fourth consecutive season, he would be named First Team All-Pac 8/10, the only player in conference history to do so. In the NFL, Easley, like Lott, was special. After being drafted 4th overall by the Seattle Seahawks, Easley was an instant sensation. Unlike Lott, he would not have a long career. After seven spectacular seasons, Kenny Easley was forced to retire. Following a routine physical in the spring of ’88, Easley was diagnosed with a life-threating kidney disease called idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. He would live, but never play football again.

USC started the 1980 season ranked number five in the country, and after starting the season 5-0, they found themselves in the number two spot. The Trojans would not remain there, however, nor would they compete for a national title. In the next four games, the Trojans went 2-1-1. Entering the game against the Bruins, USC stood at 7-1-1 and were the number 12 team in the nation. UCLA began their season with six straight wins, and entering November, they were the number two team in the nation. Like USC, they would falter, and when they met the Trojans at the Coliseum, they were 7-2 and ranked number 18 in the country.

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