The Notre Dame vs. USC game in 1988 matched the #1 ranked Fighting Irish against the #2 ranked Trojans at the LA Coliseum. It was the eighth time, in this storied series, that one of the teams entered the game ranked #1 --
the first time the teams were ranked #1 and #2. And, both teams were 10-0 --
the first and only time both teams have been undefeated playing each other in the LA Coliseum. Irish fans will recall, Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Lou Holtz -- sent star players Ricky Watters and Tony Brooks back to South Bend for continual tardiness to team meetings -- the morning of the game! Yet, the Irish -- behind
QB Tony Rice's huge 65 yard TD run in the first quarter and defensive back Stan Smagala's "pick six"-- rolled over USC 27-10! Four weeks later the Irish capped off a 12-0 season and the National Championship with a convincing win over West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. FYI: It was Notre Dame's sixth straight win over the Trojans. Here's a link to highlights from the 1988 game:
LINK:
#1 NOTRE DAME vs. #2 USC
