The Enduring Rivalry: UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans
The UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans rivalry is one of college sports' most captivating and enduring clashes. Rooted in shared geography and a relentless pursuit of athletic and academic excellence, this crosstown battle has produced countless memorable moments and shaped the identities of both universities. Spanning over nine decades, the rivalry transcends mere competition; it embodies the spirit, tradition, and intense pride that define the collegiate experience in Los Angeles.
Historical Roots and Evolution
The rivalry began with the first football game in 1929 and has since grown into a year-round contest across various sports, academics, and campus traditions. The proximity of USC’s University Park Campus and UCLA’s campus in Westwood, separated by only 11 miles, intensifies the competition, turning Los Angeles into the epicenter of college sports fervor.
Early Years and Dominance
In the early years, USC dominated the gridiron. The first game in 1929 saw the Trojans rout the Bruins 76-0, marking the widest score gap in the series. The following year, USC again triumphed with a 52-0 victory. These early results set the tone for USC's initial dominance, establishing a legacy of football prowess.
UCLA's Rise and the "Red Sanders Era"
By the late 1930s, UCLA began to emerge as a competitive force, spurred by star players like Kenny Washington, Jackie Robinson, and Bob Waterfield. The hiring of Hall of Fame coach Henry "Red" Sanders in the 1950s marked a turning point. Under Sanders, UCLA became the more dominant program, culminating in their first and only National Championship in 1954.
The John McKay Era and USC's Resurgence
The landscape shifted again in 1960 with the arrival of John McKay, the winningest coach in USC football history. McKay ushered in a golden era for the Trojans, marked by eight conference titles, five Rose Bowl victories, two Heisman Trophy winners (Mike Garrett and O. J. Simpson), and three national championships (1962, 1967, and 1972), along with a shared title in 1974. McKay's dominance extended to the rivalry, posting a 10-5-1 record against UCLA between 1960 and 1975.
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Peaks and Valleys: A Tale of Shifting Fortunes
From the mid-1960s to the end of the 1970s, USC and UCLA were the top powers on the West Coast, with USC often holding the upper hand. Between 1966 and 1980, either USC or UCLA played in 12 of the 15 Rose Bowls. Even with the rise of Don James' Washington Huskies in the 1980s and early 90s, UCLA or USC still made seven Rose Bowl appearances between 1981 and 1995.
The Bruins' Longest Streak
UCLA holds the longest winning streak in the rivalry, with eight consecutive victories from 1991 to 1998. This period remains a high point for Bruin fans, showcasing their team's resilience and competitive spirit.
The Pete Carroll Era and Vacated Wins
In December 2000, USC hired Pete Carroll, ushering in another era of Trojan dominance. During Carroll's tenure (2001-2009 seasons), USC was virtually unbeatable against UCLA and Notre Dame. However, two of those wins (2004 and 2005) were later vacated due to NCAA penalties.
Iconic Symbols and Traditions
The UCLA-USC rivalry is steeped in tradition, with several iconic symbols and practices that amplify the competitive spirit.
The Victory Bell
Originally a Southern Pacific railroad locomotive bell, the Victory Bell symbolizes the rivalry's intensity. Donated to UCLA in 1939 by the UCLA Alumni Association, Bruin cheerleaders rang the bell after each point scored. In 1941, members of the USC Trojan Knights stole the bell, sparking a series of pranks and heightening the rivalry's stakes.
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The bell's possession is now awarded to the winner of the annual football game. The winning school paints the bell's metal mounting in their colors-blue for UCLA and cardinal for USC. When UCLA possesses the bell, the UCLA Rally Committee protects and cares for it, displaying it at games and rallies. USC's Trojan Knights are responsible for safeguarding and showcasing the bell when it's in their possession, ringing it during home football games.
Tommy Trojan and The Bruin
USC's Trojan Shrine, often called Tommy Trojan, is a bronze statue at the heart of the University Park Campus, embodying the spirit of "Fight On." UCLA's campus features The Bruin, a 2-ton bear sculpture by artist Billy Fitzgerald. Both statues are often targets of pranks, especially leading up to the annual football game. Tommy Trojan received its first coat of blue paint in 1941, and USC vandals have splattered The Bruin with cardinal and gold multiple times. Security measures are now in place each autumn to protect these landmarks.
Mascots: Traveler and Joe Bruin
USC's official mascot since 1961 is Traveler, a noble white steed that energizes the crowd at football games in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Other mascots have appeared through the years, including George Tirebiter, a terrier known for chasing cars across the University Park Campus in the 1940s. Tirebiter became a campus hero, even surviving a Bruin dognapping where "UCLA" was shaved on his hindquarters.
UCLA also has memorable mascots. In the 1930s, a live bear and its trainer appeared at games. After several attempts to bring in live bear mascots in the 1950s and 1960s, the Bruins settled on costumed students, now known as Joe Bruin.
The Trojan Marching Band and "Tribute to Troy"
The USC Trojan Marching Band, known as "The Spirit of Troy," has earned its reputation through appearances at every USC football game since 1987 (excluding the 2020 season due to COVID-19 restrictions). The band also performs at basketball games and other university events, with the epic fanfare of "Tribute to Troy" being a mandatory performance.
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"Beat 'SC Week" and Campus Traditions
At UCLA, the week before the football game is known as "Beat 'SC Week" (officially "Blue and Gold Week"). Both schools host activities to promote school spirit and take steps to prevent vandalism of campus landmarks. USC wraps Tommy Trojan in bubble wrap and duct tape, while UCLA covers its Bruin Bear statue with a tarp stating "THE BRUIN BEAR IS HIBERNATING. BEAT 'SC." UCLA students, known as the "Bruin Bear Security Force," camp out in Bruin Plaza to protect The Bruin, while the USC Trojan Knights hold a week-long vigil guarding Tommy Trojan with the sign "Don't Bruin your life."
The Crosstown Cup: A Year-Round Competition
The Crosstown Cup, formerly known as the Lexus Gauntlet, Crosstown Gauntlet, and SoCal BMW Crosstown Cup, is a season-long competition that pits the Trojans and Bruins against each other in all 19 NCAA-sanctioned varsity sports in which both compete. The winner of each head-to-head matchup earns points, and the school with the most points at the end of the year wins the cup.
Crosstown Cup History
- 2002: USC
- 2003: UCLA
- 2004: USC
- 2005: UCLA
- 2006: USC
- 2007: UCLA
- 2008: USC
- 2009: USC
- 2010: USC
- 2011: USC
- 2012: USC
- 2013: UCLA
- 2014: USC
- 2015: UCLA
- 2016: USC
Football Rivalry: Defining Moments and Statistics
The football rivalry is the centerpiece of the UCLA-USC competition, marked by intense matchups and significant implications for conference titles and Rose Bowl berths.
Key Statistics
As of the end of the 2025 college football season, USC leads the series 53-34-7. This record excludes two vacated USC wins due to NCAA penalties. There has been one overtime game in the series, in 1996.
Memorable Games and Moments
Several games stand out in the rivalry's history:
- September 28, 1929: USC's 76-0 victory, the largest margin in the series.
- November 25, 1950: UCLA's 39-0 shutout, a pinnacle of Bruin dominance.
- November 21, 1992: UCLA's 38-37 victory in the Rose Bowl, the smallest margin in series history.
Conference Titles and Rose Bowl Appearances
The winner of the football game has often won or shared the Pac-12 Conference (Pac-12) title. A Rose Bowl game berth has frequently been at stake for both schools. Since the 1916 formation of the Pacific Coast Conference, USC has won or shared 37 conference titles, and UCLA has won or shared 17 titles.
From the 1959 season, when the Pac-12 was formed as the Athletic Association of Western Universities, through the 2007 season, the schools won or shared 33 of the 48 conference titles. USC won 17 championships outright, shared eight, and went to the Rose Bowl or BCS bowl 21 times. UCLA won six championships outright, shared five, and went to the Rose Bowl eight times.
Beyond Football: A Broader Athletic Competition
While football garners much of the attention, both schools excel in various "non-revenue" or "Olympic" sports. Both have achieved success in track and field, water polo, tennis, volleyball, and golf. As of 2023, USC has won 26 NCAA championships in men's outdoor track and field, 21 in men's tennis, and 12 in baseball, the most of any school in each respective sport. UCLA has won 20 NCAA championships in men's volleyball and 12 in softball, also the most in those sports. As of June 2024, UCLA ranked second overall and USC ranked third overall in NCAA team championships, behind Stanford.
Academic and Cultural Significance
The rivalry extends beyond athletics, influencing the academic and cultural environments of both universities.
Academic Achievements
USC's distinguished faculty includes recipients of major national honors, such as the National Medal of the Arts, National Medal of Science, Guggenheim Fellowship, and Pulitzer Prize. UCLA's award-winning faculty includes Nobel Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize recipients, a Fields medalist, and two Turing Award winners.
Olympic Heritage
The USC-UCLA rivalry is also showcased on the Olympic stage. USC has produced more Olympic athletes and medalists than any other university. UCLA also boasts a rich Olympic heritage, with legendary athletes like Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Rafer Johnson, Lisa Fernandez, and Florence Griffith Joyner among its medal winners.
Community Engagement
The rivalry fosters community engagement through events like the "We Run the City 5K," a rivalry run benefiting Special Olympics Southern California. Additionally, a blood drive competition between the schools encourages donations to the American Red Cross.
The Future of the Rivalry in the Big Ten Conference
Both UCLA and USC moved from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten Conference in 2024, marking a new chapter in their rivalry. This move expands the rivalry's reach and introduces it to a broader national audience. As members of the Big Ten, the Bruins and Trojans will continue their storied competition, adding new dimensions and challenges to their enduring clash.
Game Results
| No. | Date | Location | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 28, 1929 | USC | 76-0 | |
| 2 | Sept. 27, 1930 | USC | 52-0 | |
| 3 | Nov. 26, 1936 | Tie | 7-7 | |
| 4 | Dec. 4, 1937 | USC | 19-13 | |
| 5 | Nov. 24, 1938 | USC | 42-7 | |
| 6 | Dec. 9, 1939 | Tie | 0-0 | |
| 7 | Nov. 30, 1940 | USC | 28-12 | |
| 8 | Dec. 6, 1941 | Tie | 7-7 | |
| 9 | Dec. 12, 1942 | UCLA | 17-14 | |
| 10 | Sept. 23, 1943 | USC | 20-0 | |
| 11 | Nov. 27, 1943 | USC | 26-13 | |
| 12 | Sept. 23, 1944 | Tie | 13-13 | |
| 13 | Nov. 25, 1944 | UCLA | 40-13 | |
| 14 | Sept. 21, 1945 | USC | 13-6 | |
| 15 | Dec. 1, 1945 | USC | 26-15 | |
| 16 | Nov. 23, 1946 | UCLA | 16-13 | |
| 17 | Nov. 22, 1947 | USC | 6-0 | |
| 18 | Nov. 20, 1948 | USC | 20-13 | |
| 19 | Nov. 19, 1949 | USC | 21-7 | |
| 20 | Nov. 25, 1950 | UCLA | 39-0 | |
| 21 | Nov. 24, 1951 | UCLA | 21-7 | |
| 22 | Nov. 22, 1952 | UCLA | 14-12 | |
| 23 | Nov. 21, 1953 | UCLA | 13-0 | |
| 24 | Nov. 20, 1954 | UCLA | 34-0 | |
| 25 | Nov. 19, 1955 | UCLA | 17-7 | |
| 26 | Nov. 25, 1956 | USC | 10-7 | |
| 27 | Nov. 23, 1957 | UCLA | 20-9 | |
| 28 | Nov. 22, 1958 | Tie | 15-15 | |
| 29 | Nov. 21, 1959 | UCLA | 10-3 | |
| 30 | Nov. 26, 1960 | USC | 17-6 | |
| 31 | Nov. 25, 1961 | UCLA | 10-7 | |
| 32 | Nov. 24, 1962 | UCLA | 14-3 | |
| 33 | Nov. 30, 1963 | USC | 26-6 | |
| 34 | Nov. 21, 1964 | UCLA | 34-13 | |
| 35 | Nov. 20, 1965 | USC | 20-16 | |
| 36 | Nov. 19, 1966 | UCLA | 14-7 | |
| 37 | Nov. 18, 1967 | USC | 21-20 | |
| 38 | Nov. 23, 1968 | UCLA | 28-16 | |
| 39 | Nov. 22, 1969 | USC | 14-12 | |
| 40 | Nov. 21, 1970 | UCLA | 45-20 | |
| 41 | Nov. 20, 1971 | Tie | 7-7 | |
| 42 | Nov. 18, 1972 | UCLA | 24-7 | |
| 43 | Nov. 24, 1973 | USC | 23-13 | |
| 44 | Nov. 23, 1974 | UCLA | 34-9 | |
| 45 | Nov. 28, 1975 | USC | 25-22 | |
| 46 | Nov. 20, 1976 | UCLA | 24-14 | |
| 47 | Nov. 25, 1977 | USC | 29-27 | |
| 48 | Nov. 18, 1978 | UCLA | 17-10 | |
| 49 | Nov. 24, 1979 | USC | 49-14 | |
| 50 | Nov. 22, 1980 | UCLA | 20-17 | |
| 51 | Nov. 21, 1981 | USC | 22-21 | |
| 52 | Nov. 20, 1982 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 20-19 |
| 53 | Nov. 19, 1983 | Coliseum | UCLA | 27-17 |
| 54 | Nov. 17, 1984 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 29-10 |
| 55 | Nov. 23, 1985 | Coliseum | USC | 17-13 |
| 56 | Nov. 22, 1986 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 45-25 |
| 57 | Nov. 21, 1987 | Coliseum | USC | 17-13 |
| 58 | Nov. 19, 1988 | Rose Bowl | USC | 31-22 |
| 59 | Nov. 18, 1989 | Coliseum | Tie | 10-10 |
| 60 | Nov. 17, 1990 | Rose Bowl | USC | 45-42 |
| 61 | Nov. 23, 1991 | Coliseum | UCLA | 24-21 |
| 62 | Nov. 21, 1992 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 38-37 |
| 63 | Nov. 20, 1993 | Coliseum | UCLA | 27-21 |
| 64 | Nov. 19, 1994 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 31-19 |
| 65 | Nov. 18, 1995 | Coliseum | UCLA | 24-20 |
| 66 | Nov. 23, 1996 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 48-41 |
| 67 | Nov. 22, 1997 | Coliseum | UCLA | 31-24 |
| 68 | Nov. 21, 1998 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 34-17 |
| 69 | Nov. 20, 1999 | Coliseum | USC | 17-7 |
| 70 | Nov. 18, 2000 | Rose Bowl | USC | 38-35 |
| 71 | Nov. 17, 2001 | Coliseum | USC | 27-0 |
| 72 | Nov. 23, 2002 | Rose Bowl | USC | 52-21 |
| 73 | Nov. 22, 2003 | Coliseum | USC | 47-22 |
| 74 | Dec. 4, 2004 | Rose Bowl | None | 29-24 |
| 75 | Dec. 3, 2005 | Coliseum | None | 66-19 |
| 76 | Dec. 2, 2006 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 13-9 |
| 77 | Dec. 1, 2007 | Coliseum | USC | 24-7 |
| 78 | Dec. 6, 2008 | Rose Bowl | USC | 28-7 |
| 79 | Nov. 28, 2009 | Coliseum | USC | 28-7 |
| 80 | Dec. 4, 2010 | Rose Bowl | USC | 28-14 |
| 81 | Nov. 26, 2011 | Coliseum | USC | 50-0 |
| 82 | Nov. 17, 2012 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 38-28 |
| 83 | Nov. 30, 2013 | Coliseum | UCLA | 35-14 |
| 84 | Nov. 22, 2014 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 38-20 |
| 85 | Nov. 28, 2015 | Coliseum | USC | 40-21 |
| 86 | Nov. 19, 2016 | Rose Bowl | USC | 36-14 |
| 87 | Nov. 18, 2017 | Coliseum | USC | 28-23 |
| 88 | Nov. 17, 2018 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 34-27 |
| 89 | Nov. 23, 2019 | Coliseum | USC | 52-35 |
| 90 | Dec. 12, 2020 | Rose Bowl | USC | 43-38 |
| 91 | Nov. 20, 2021 | Coliseum | UCLA | 62-33 |
| 92 | Nov. 19, 2022 | Rose Bowl | USC | 48-45 |
| 93 | Nov. 18, 2023 | Coliseum | UCLA | 38-20 |
| 94 | Nov. 23, 2024 | Rose Bowl | USC | 19-13 |
| 95 | Nov. 29, 2025 | Coliseum | TBD | TBD |
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