The Day UCLA Shocked USC: A Recap of the 2006 Game
The 2006 football game between UCLA and USC is etched in the memories of Bruins players and fans as a momentous 13-9 victory. This win not only provided bragging rights for UCLA but also dashed the championship aspirations of the No. 2-ranked USC Trojans. For many associated with USC, the loss remains a painful reminder of a missed opportunity.
Setting the Stage
The game took place on December 2, 2006, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, in front of a crowd of 90,622. The weather was recorded as "perfect," with a temperature of 72 degrees. Going into the game, USC had a record of 10-1.
A Defensive Struggle
UCLA struck first, taking a lead in the first quarter with a touchdown run by quarterback Patrick Cowan. USC responded in the second quarter with a safety and a touchdown run by C.J. Gable. However, these would be the only points the Trojans could muster throughout the game. UCLA added two field goals in the second half, both from Justin Medlock, to secure their lead.
Former USC quarterback John David Booty recalled the mindset of the Trojans, saying, "There was never a point in the game where we didn’t feel, ‘Hey, this series we’re going to turn it on.’" Despite their confidence, the Trojans struggled to convert opportunities into points against a determined UCLA defense.
Pete Carroll, USC's coach at the time, acknowledged the effectiveness of UCLA's defensive strategy, noting that defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, who had previously been on Carroll's staff, had always been a good strategist against a pro-style offensive set, which USC operated. "They kept us from doing what we wanted to do," Carroll admitted afterward.
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The Defining Moment
With about six minutes left in the game, USC began a drive from their own 29-yard line. Booty completed six of nine passes, advancing the ball to the UCLA 19-yard line. Facing a crucial third-and-four, Booty attempted a pass to receiver Steve Smith. However, UCLA linebacker Eric McNeal leaped into the air, tipping the pass and securing the interception. This play effectively sealed the victory for UCLA and etched McNeal's name into the rivalry's history.
Booty described the play as a quick three-step drop, leaving him with limited options. Lua reflected on the game, stating, "There were missed opportunities that we didn’t capitalize on as a team that put us in that spot."
The Aftermath
The loss was a significant blow to a USC team that had been a dominant force in college football. They had won the 2004 national title, played for the 2005 national title, and were averaging over 30 points a game. Thirty-two players from that Trojans roster would eventually play in the NFL. Just a week prior, they had crushed No. 11 Notre Dame 44-24.
As a consolation prize for winning the Pac-10, USC went to the Rose Bowl a month later as the nation’s No. 8 team and defeated No. 3 Michigan 32-18. UCLA, unranked the entire season, lost to Florida State 44-27 in the Emerald Bowl.
In the years following the game, UCLA fans have proudly displayed T-shirts emblazoned with "13-9," sometimes including the date of the game. McNeal reflected on the game's significance, telling ESPN in 2010, "I can’t say we knew at the time how big that game would be, but looking back and the way the game ended and what it meant for them, it means a lot more."
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Historical Context: The UCLA-USC Rivalry
The UCLA-USC rivalry is one of the most storied in college football. Here's a look at some key aspects of this rivalry:
Shared History and Conference Affiliations: UCLA and USC have been 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.
Crosstown Cup: The Crosstown Cup is a competition between UCLA and USC in the 19 NCAA-sanctioned varsity sports in which both compete.
Football Game Significance: Quite often, the winner of the football game has won or shared the Pac-12 Conference (Pac-12) title in football. A berth in the Rose Bowl game has been on the line many times as well for both schools. 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.
Rivalry Traditions: 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". 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.
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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.
Rose Bowl Implications: 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.
Series Record: As of the end of the 2023 college football season, USC leads 51-34-7 (record excludes two vacated USC wins due to NCAA penalty for violation of NCAA rules).
Other Memorable Games in the Series
- USC 50, UCLA 0 at the Coliseum in 2011: The largest margin of victory in the series since Game 2 of the series in 1930.
- UCLA 48, USC 41 (2 OT) at the Rose Bowl in 1996: UCLA came back from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit with five minutes to play in regulation.
- UCLA 24, USC 21 at the Coliseum in 1991: This began a record eight-game winning streak for the Bruins over the Trojans.
- UCLA 45, USC 25 at the Rose Bowl in 1986: The "Hail Mary In Your Face" play, where UCLA quarterback Matt Stevens faked taking a knee at the end of the first half and threw a touchdown pass.
- USC 22, UCLA 21 at the Coliseum in 1981: The Trojans’ victory was secured when George Achica blocked Norm Johnson’s last-play field goal try.
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