UCLA vs. USC Football: A Storied Crosstown Rivalry
The UCLA-USC rivalry is a college football rivalry between the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans. It is considered one of the most intense and storied rivalries in college football, embodying the spirit of Los Angeles. Scott Dochterman of The Athletic ranked the battle of Los Angeles as the 14th-best rivalry in college football.
Historical Overview
The schools have been together in the same athletic conference since 1928, when UCLA joined USC in the Pacific Coast Conference, a predecessor of the Pac-12 Conference. USC had joined the PCC in 1922. When the PCC broke up after the 1958-1959 season, USC and UCLA were charter members of the newly formed Athletic Association of Western Universities. The AAWU, with expansion, would become the Pac-8, Pac-10, and then the Pac-12 Conference. Both schools also are successful in many "non-revenue" or "Olympic" sports and have had 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. Likewise, UCLA has won 20 NCAA championships in men's volleyball and 12 in softball, also the most of any school in those sports. As of June 2024, UCLA ranked second overall and USC ranked third overall in NCAA team championships behind Stanford.
Early Years and the Rise of USC
USC began a rise to national prominence under Howard Jones in 1925. The Trojans began a major rivalry with Notre Dame in 1926. By the late 1930s, star players such as Kenny Washington, Jackie Robinson, and Bob Waterfield enabled UCLA to be competitive. With the hiring of Hall of Fame coach Henry "Red" Sanders, UCLA became the more dominant program in the 1950s and won their first and only National Championship in 1954. Sanders died suddenly of a heart attack before the 1959 season.
In 1960 John McKay, the winningest coach is USC football history, took over the struggling USC program. Upon the arrival of McKay, USC entered a new golden age in its storied history. During McKay's tenure, the Trojans won 8 conference titles, 5 Rose Bowls, produced two Heisman Trophy winners (Mike Garrett and O. J. Simpson) and won three national championships (1962, 1967, and 1972) and shared one (1974). Against UCLA, McKay was tough to beat, posting a 10-5-1 record against the Bruins between 1960 and 1975.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
Key Moments and Traditions
The Victory Bell
When the football teams from these schools compete against each other, the victor is awarded the Victory Bell. The Victory Bell was originally from an old Southern Pacific railroad locomotive. It was UCLA's symbol of victory until it was stolen by a USC organization called the Trojan Knights in 1941. The bell itself is brass, and the metal mounting around it is painted blue or cardinal by the school that won the football game and earned its possession. When UCLA possesses it, the UCLA Rally Committee is responsible for its protection and care. While it is in USC's possession, the Trojan Knights are responsible for hiding, protecting, and showcasing the bell (including ringing the bell during home football games).
Rose Bowl Stakes
Until the Rose Bowl Game became part of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and later the College Football Playoff (CFP), a berth in the Rose Bowl to face the Big Ten Conference champion was the ultimate goal that was awarded to the then-Pacific-10 conference champion. Through the 2016 season, USC has appeared in the Rose Bowl 34 times and UCLA has appeared 12 times. During the BCS era (1998-2013), the Rose Bowl was the destination for the first-place Big Ten and Pac-12 teams, should either fail to qualify for the BCS championship game. UCLA was the first Pac-10 team to appear in a BCS bowl, the 1999 Rose Bowl, their last conference championship year. USC has appeared in six BCS bowl games, winning the BCS championship in 2005.
Conference Championships
Before the Pac-10 expanded in 2011 and became the Pac-12, the Rose Bowl and conference championship were on the line for both teams 20 times and at least one team 37 times. Since the 1916 formation of the Pacific Coast Conference, which the Pac-12 claims as part of its history, USC had won or shared 37 conference titles and UCLA had won or shared 17 titles. Washington is second in overall conference titles with 18. Since the 1959 season, when the Pac-12 was formed as the Athletic Association of Western Universities, through the 2007 season, the schools had won or shared 33 of the 48 conference titles. USC won 17 championships outright, shared eight and gone to the Rose Bowl or BCS bowl 21 times. UCLA won six championships outright, shared five and gone to the Rose Bowl eight times. The schools have thrice shared the championship. In 2011, UCLA became the first Pac-12 South Division champion - while USC held the better of the two records, the Trojans were ineligible for postseason play that year due to NCAA sanctions.
Game Day Traditions
For most seasons from the mid-1960s to the end of the 1970s, the two schools were the top powers on the West Coast with USC usually holding the top spot. In the 15 Rose Bowls played from 1966 to 1980, USC or UCLA played in 12 of them. Even with the rise of Don James' Washington Huskies in the 1980s and early 90s, UCLA or USC still went to the Rose Bowl seven times between 1981 and 1995.
At UCLA, the week before the game is known as "Beat 'SC Week" (officially dubbed "Blue and Gold Week"). Both schools host a number of activities on their respective campuses during the week to promote school spirit. Also, both schools take steps to prevent vandalism of two major landmarks on campus: USC wraps its Trojan Shrine (better known as "Tommy Trojan") in bubble wrap and duct tape, while UCLA covers its Bruin Bear statue with tarp stating "THE BRUIN BEAR IS HIBERNATING. BEAT 'SC.", and more recently a $5000 wooden puzzle box. Groups of UCLA students known as "Bruin Bear Security Force" also camp out in Bruin Plaza, ostensibly to protect the Bruin Bear in the event of a prank, while the USC Trojan Knights hold a week-long vigil guarding Tommy Trojan with the sign "Don't Bruin your life".
Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA
Alternate Competitions
The rivalry extends beyond the football field with a series of other competitions:
- ROTC "Blood Bowl": The Naval and Army Officers Training Corps midshipmen and cadets at both universities compete in the annual "Blood Bowl" flag football game against each other, usually held the Friday before the official game, as a parallel to the varsity match. The name stems from the often rough and passionate play by the midshipmen and cadets representing school pride. After a 25-12 victory on December 3, 2010, by the Army Battalion, UCLA continues to lead the series all time versus USC 15-11.
- Daily Bruin vs. Daily Trojan "Blood Bowl": Staff of the Daily Bruin and Daily Trojan have competed in a flag football contest that is also called the "Blood Bowl".
- The Band Bowl: From the 1950s until 2000 the UCLA Marching Band and the USC Marching Band played in a flag football contest called the "Band Bowl".
- UCLA vs. USC Men's Ice Hockey: UCLA and USC have teams that compete in ACHA Division II club-level Ice hockey.
- UCLA vs. USC Men's Rugby: UCLA and USC compete every year on the day after the football game.
- We Run the City 5K: A 5 km rivalry run held the Sunday before the football game that benefits Special Olympics Southern California. Runners pledge their allegiance to their team upon registration. Registration is open to all fans, students, alumni, staff, and the community.
- Blood Drive Competition: Starting with the 2008 season, the winners of a blood drive competition were announced during halftime, with the winners donating more blood to the American Red Cross.
Stadium Traditions
For a number of years, the schools shared the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as their home stadium until UCLA moved to the Rose Bowl for the 1982 season. Each school alternated as the "home" team for the game, with home fans on the north side of the Coliseum and visiting fans on the south (press box) side. Until the 1983 meeting where the visiting UCLA team wore their white jerseys, players on both teams wore their home football jerseys for the game. An NCAA rule change for the 1983 season required the visiting team specifically to wear white jerseys. Beginning in the 1984 season, when the game was played at the Rose Bowl for the second time, the visiting fans moved to the end-zone visitor sections of each respective stadium.
Starting in 2006, the coaches at the time, USC coach Pete Carroll and UCLA coach Karl Dorrell, expressed an interest in restarting the tradition of both teams wearing primary colored home jerseys. At the time, the NCAA football rules Article 3. a. stated, "Players of opposing teams shall wear jerseys of contrasting colors, and the visiting team shall wear white jerseys." USC coach Pete Carroll said he would be willing to lose two timeouts during the game so that the USC team could wear their cardinal jerseys for the UCLA-USC football game on December 6, 2008. It was determined before the 2008 game that the visiting school would only lose one timeout for incorrect equipment.
Nicknames
A number of titles have been applied to the football game such as: "The Los Angeles City Championship," "The Crosstown Showdown," "The Battle of L.A. or Los Angeles," or simply the "crosstown rivalry". None have become the singular name for the game.
Game Results and Series Records
As of the end of the 2025 college football season, USC leads 53-34-7 (record excludes two vacated USC wins due to NCAA penalty for violation of NCAA rules). There has been one overtime game in the series in 1996. Many of the games of this rivalry have ultimately determined the Pac-10 Rose Bowl representative and often a chance for USC to play for the national championship.
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| No. | Date | Location | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 28, 1929 | USC | 76-0 | |
| 2 | September 27, 1930 | USC | 52-0 | |
| 3 | November 26, 1936 | Tie | 7-7 | |
| 4 | December 4, 1937 | USC | 19-13 | |
| 5 | November 24, 1938 | USC | 42-7 | |
| 6 | December 9, 1939 | Tie | 0-0 | |
| 7 | November 30, 1940 | USC | 28-12 | |
| 8 | December 6, 1941 | Tie | 7-7 | |
| 9 | December 12, 1942 | UCLA | 17-14 | |
| 10 | September 23, 1943 | USC | 20-0 | |
| 11 | November 27, 1943 | USC | 26-13 | |
| 12 | September 23, 1944 | Tie | 13-13 | |
| 13 | November 25, 1944 | USC | 40-13 | |
| 14 | September 21, 1945 | USC | 13-6 | |
| 15 | December 1, 1945 | USC | 26-15 | |
| 16 | November 23, 1946 | UCLA | 16-13 | |
| 17 | November 22, 1947 | USC | 6-0 | |
| 18 | November 20, 1948 | USC | 20-13 | |
| 19 | November 19, 1949 | USC | 21-7 | |
| 20 | November 25, 1950 | UCLA | 39-0 | |
| 21 | November 24, 1951 | UCLA | 21-7 | |
| 22 | November 22, 1952 | UCLA | 14-12 | |
| 23 | November 21, 1953 | UCLA | 13-0 | |
| 24 | November 20, 1954 | UCLA | 34-0 | |
| 25 | November 19, 1955 | UCLA | 17-7 | |
| 26 | November 25, 1956 | USC | 10-7 | |
| 27 | November 23, 1957 | UCLA | 20-9 | |
| 28 | November 22, 1958 | Tie | 15-15 | |
| 29 | November 21, 1959 | UCLA | 10-3 | |
| 30 | November 26, 1960 | USC | 17-6 | |
| 31 | November 25, 1961 | UCLA | 10-7 | |
| 32 | November 24, 1962 | USC | 14-3 | |
| 33 | November 30, 1963 | USC | 26-6 | |
| 34 | November 21, 1964 | USC | 34-13 | |
| 35 | November 20, 1965 | UCLA | 20-16 | |
| 36 | November 19, 1966 | UCLA | 14-7 | |
| 37 | November 18, 1967 | USC | 21-20 | |
| 38 | November 23, 1968 | USC | 28-16 | |
| 39 | November 22, 1969 | USC | 14-12 | |
| 40 | November 21, 1970 | UCLA | 45-20 | |
| 41 | November 20, 1971 | Tie | 7-7 | |
| 42 | November 18, 1972 | USC | 24-7 | |
| 43 | November 24, 1973 | USC | 23-13 | |
| 44 | November 23, 1974 | USC | 34-9 | |
| 45 | November 28, 1975 | USC | 25-22 | |
| 46 | November 20, 1976 | USC | 24-14 | |
| 47 | November 25, 1977 | USC | 29-27 | |
| 48 | November 18, 1978 | USC | 17-10 | |
| 49 | November 24, 1979 | USC | 49-14 | |
| 50 | November 22, 1980 | UCLA | 20-17 | |
| 51 | November 21, 1981 | USC | 22-21 | |
| 52 | November 20, 1982 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 20-19 |
| 53 | November 19, 1983 | Coliseum | UCLA | 27-17 |
| 54 | November 17, 1984 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 29-10 |
| 55 | November 23, 1985 | Coliseum | USC | 17-13 |
| 56 | November 22, 1986 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 45-25 |
| 57 | November 21, 1987 | Coliseum | USC | 17-13 |
| 58 | November 19, 1988 | Rose Bowl | USC | 31-22 |
| 59 | November 18, 1989 | Coliseum | Tie | 10-10 |
| 60 | November 17, 1990 | Rose Bowl | USC | 45-42 |
| 61 | November 23, 1991 | Coliseum | UCLA | 24-21 |
| 62 | November 21, 1992 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 38-37 |
| 63 | November 20, 1993 | Coliseum | UCLA | 27-21 |
| 64 | November 19, 1994 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 31-19 |
| 65 | November 18, 1995 | Coliseum | UCLA | 24-20 |
| 66 | November 23, 1996 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 48-41 (2OT) |
| 67 | November 22, 1997 | Coliseum | UCLA | 31-24 |
| 68 | November 21, 1998 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 34-17 |
| 69 | November 20, 1999 | Coliseum | USC | 17-7 |
| 70 | November 18, 2000 | Rose Bowl | USC | 38-35 |
| 71 | November 17, 2001 | Coliseum | USC | 27-0 |
| 72 | November 23, 2002 | Rose Bowl | USC | 52-21 |
| 73 | November 22, 2003 | Coliseum | USC | 47-22 |
| 74 | December 4, 2004 | Rose Bowl | None | 29-24 |
| 75 | December 3, 2005 | Coliseum | None | 66-19 |
| 76 | December 2, 2006 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 13-9 |
| 77 | December 1, 2007 | Coliseum | USC | 24-7 |
| 78 | December 6, 2008 | Rose Bowl | USC | 28-7 |
| 79 | November 28, 2009 | Coliseum | USC | 28-7 |
| 80 | December 4, 2010 | Rose Bowl | USC | 28-14 |
| 81 | November 26, 2011 | Coliseum | USC | 50-0 |
| 82 | November 17, 2012 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 38-28 |
| 83 | November 30, 2013 | Coliseum | UCLA | 35-14 |
| 84 | November 22, 2014 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 38-20 |
| 85 | November 28, 2015 | Coliseum | USC | 40-21 |
| 86 | November 19, 2016 | Rose Bowl | USC | 36-14 |
| 87 | November 18, 2017 | Coliseum | USC | 28-23 |
| 88 | November 17, 2018 | Rose Bowl | UCLA | 34-27 |
| 89 | November 23, 2019 | Coliseum | USC | 52-35 |
| 90 | December 12, 2020 | Rose Bowl | USC | 43-38 |
| 91 | November 20, 2021 | Coliseum | UCLA | 62-33 |
| 92 | November 19, 2022 | Rose Bowl | USC | 48-45 |
| 93 | November 18, 2023 | Coliseum | UCLA | 38-20 |
| 94 | November 23, 2024 | Rose Bowl | USC | 19-13 |
Rivalry's Intensity and Significance
Dochterman noted that the UCLA-USC rivalry "not only harbors the same intensity of other key rivalries, it also brings out the stars." The series is closely contested when both teams are ranked, with a tied record of 13-13-1 in such matchups.
Recent Developments: Women's Basketball
The rivalry extends beyond football. In women's basketball, for example, No. 4 USC delivered a statement in the crosstown rivalry, defeating No. 2 UCLA. USC’s lead grew to 14 at halftime, fueled by efficient shooting and disruptive defense that forced 16 Bruin turnovers. UCLA, known for its dominant rebounding and inside presence, struggled to establish either, shooting just 36% from the field. With the win, USC improves to 26-2 overall and 17-1 in Big Ten play. JuJu Watkins led the charge with 23 points at the break.
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