Southern Cal Trojans ©	Texas Tech Red Raiders
Played September 8, 1979 at Jones Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Cal ©	4	20	3	1	.854	9	1	1	.864	8	2	0	.800	3	0	0	1.000
Texas Tech	0

 

                        Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The 1979 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson began the season top-ranked & star-studded.  Headed by Heisman Trophy winning All-American RB Charles White, All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald, & All-American OG Brad Budde, the Trojans were a juggernaut.  Texas Tech coach Rex Dockery had the first chance to slow the Trojans’ march.  They were unsuccessful in spite of White’s 2^nd quarter injury that limited him to just 10 carries for 39 yards as McDonald threw 2 touchdown passes in a 21-7 Trojan victory.  Southern Cal claimed the win in spite of losing White, C Chris Foote, OT Anthony Munoz, & All-Pac 10 S Ronnie Lott to injuries during the game.  Neither team was able to score in the 1^st quarter but Southern Cal RB Marcus Allen scored on a 1-yard touchdown run that finished a 7-play, 51-yards drive in the 2^nd quarter as the Trojans took a 7-0 lead they held to halftime.  In the 3^rd quarter, McDonald connected with WR Dan Garcia for a 19-yard touchdown pass as Southern Cal drove 80 yards in 6 plays extending the lead to 14-0.  The Red Raiders responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by QB Ron Reeves after a 10-play 80-yard drive to keep Texas Tech within a touchdown at 14-7.  The Trojans closed out the scoring with another long drive, this one 81 yards in 14 plays with McDonald hitting TE Vic Rakhshani for a 1-yard touchdown pass in the 4^th quarter.  McDonald finished with 133 yards passing with 2 touchdowns while Allen rushed for 105 yards with his touchdown.  Reeves threw for 80 yards but 3 interceptions while All-SWC RB James Hadnot rushed for 94 yards in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Red Raiders finished 3-6-2.  Texas Tech would play for The Belt again in 1991.

 

 

 

Southern Cal Trojans ©	Oregon State Beavers
Played September 15, 1979 at Parker Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Cal ©	4	21	3	1	.860	9	1	1	.864	9	2	0	.818	3	0	0	1.000
Oregon State	0	0	3	0	.000	0	3	0	.000

 

 

The top-ranked, 1-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson traveled to Corvallis to open the Pac-10 season against Craig Fertig’s 0-1 Oregon State Beavers.  Southern Cal played without Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Charles White out due to a shoulder injury but the back-ups rushed for 346 yards while the Trojans’ defense forced 5 Oregon State turnovers as Southern Cal retained The Belt with a 42-5 thrashing of the Beavers.  Trojans’ RB Marcus Allen scored twice in the 1^st quarter on runs of 2 & 5 yards as Southern Cal took a 14-0 lead.  Oregon State got on the board early in the 2^nd quarter when PK Kieron Walford kicked a 52-yard field goal but the Beavers still trailed 14-3.  Southern Cal responded with an 11-play, 72-yard drive capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald to WR Kevin Williams pushing the Trojan lead to 21-3.  Southern Cal CB Jeff Fisher recovered a fumble by Oregon State RB Darryl Minor on the Beavers’ next play from scrimmage giving the Trojans the ball at the Oregon State 23-yard line.  On the next play McDonald hit Williams for the 23-yard touchdown pass as the lead stretched to 28-3.  Fisher’s second fumble recovery came after RB Mike Smith lost the ball at the Southern Cal 47-yard line.  Three plays later the Trojans were in the end zone again as RB Michael Harper scored on a 1-yard touchdown run after breaking a 47-yard run two plays earlier.  With a 35-3 halftime lead, Southern Cal played their reserves for most of the 2^nd half.  Late in the 3^rd quarter, Southern Cal DT Byron Darby recovered fumble by Smith at the Southern Cal 2-yard line that kept the Beavers from scoring a touchdown.  The Trojans drove the 98 yards in 14 plays with Harper scoring his second touchdown of the game, this one coming on a 5-yard run giving Southern Cal a 42-3 lead.  The final points of the game came when Harper mishandled the ball deep in his own territory & had to fall on it in the end zone for an Oregon State safety.  McDonald finished with 108 yards passing completing 8 of 9 pass attempts with 2 touchdowns while Harper rushed for 126 yards with his 2 scores.  For the Beavers, QB Scott Richardson threw for 248 yards with an interception & All-Pac 10 WR Steve Coury was held to 4 catches for 58 yards.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Beavers finished 2-9 in Fertig’s final season.  Oregon State would play for The Belt again in 1982.

 

 

 

Minnesota Golden Gophers	Southern Cal Trojans ©
Played September 22, 1979 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Minnesota	0	0	2	0	.000					0	2	0	.000
Southern Cal ©	4	22	3	1	.865	9	1	1	.864	10	2	0	.833	3	0	0	1.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

Coach Joe Salem’s first Minnesota Golden Gophers team, with a 1-1 record, traveled to Los Angeles to battle the top-ranked, 2-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson who were playing their home opener.  Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Charles White rushed for 2 touchdowns while the Southern Cal defense held Minnesota to just 38 yards rushing in a 48-14 rout of the Golden Gophers to retain The Belt.  The Trojans scored on 5 of their first 6 possessions as they raced to a 35-0 halftime lead.  Southern Cal RB Marcus Allen scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald hit All-Pac 10 TE Hoby Brenner for a 17-yard touchdown pass, & White broke loose for a 68-yard touchdown run as Southern Cal took a 21-0 lead in the 1^st quarter.  White’s 10-yard touchdown run was followed by a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown by WR Ray Butler for the halftime margin.  Neither team scored in the 3^rd quarter but Southern Cal pushed the lead to 41-0 as RB Michael Harper scored on a 1-yard touchdown early in the 4^th quarter.  Minnesota finally got on the board when RB Marion Barber scored on a 2-yard touchdown run.  The Trojans finished their scoring with a 1-yard touchdown pass from QB Scott Tinsley to WR Jeff Simmons while the Golden Gophers final points came on an 18-yard touchdown pass from QB Wendell Avery to WR Jeff Anhorn.  McDonald finished with 97 yards passing in limited action while White rushed for 153 yards with 2 touchdowns in just 10 carries.  Minnesota QB Mark Carlson threw for 127 yards with 2 interceptions in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Golden Gophers finished 4-6-1 in Salem’s first season.  Minnesota would play for The Belt again in 1980.

 

 

 

 

Southern Cal Trojans ©	Louisiana State Tigers
Played September 29, 1979 at Tiger Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Cal ©	4	23	3	1	.870	10	1	1	.875	10	2	0	.833	3	0	0	1.000
Louisiana State	0	0	1	0	.000	0	1	0	.000

 

                       Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The top-ranked, 3-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson traveled to Baton Rouge to take on the 20^th ranked, 2-0 Louisiana State Tigers of Charlie McClendon.  Southern Cal’s Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Charles White rushed for 185 yards with a touchdown & All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald found WR Kevin Williams with 0:32 left in the game as the Trojans retained The Belt with a 17-12 victory.  After exchanging interceptions, Southern Cal got a 32-yard field goal from PK Eric Hipp for a 3-0 lead at the end of the 1^st quarter.  Early in the 2^nd quarter, the Tigers took the lead when QB Steve Ensminger found RB LeRoid Jones on a 13-yard touchdown pass.  Late in the quarter, Louisiana State PK Don Barthel connected on a 32-yard field goal giving the Tigers a 9-3 halftime lead.  After Hipp missed a field goal on Southern Cal’s first drive of the 3^rd quarter, Barthel hit on a 28-yard field goal as Louisiana State pushed the lead to 12-3.  Early in the 4^th quarter, the Trojans drove 57 yards in 6 plays with White scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run.  With 4:16 to play, Southern Cal took possession at their own 21-yard line & methodically moved down the field.  Louisiana State lead 12-10 but with 0:32 to play, McDonald hit Williams with an 8-yard touchdown pass for the 17-12 win.  McDonald finished with 145 yards passing with a touchdown.  Ensminger threw for 91 yards with a touchdown in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Tigers finished 7-5 in McClendon’s final season.  Louisiana State would play for The Belt again in 1983.

 

 

 

Washington State Cougars	Southern Cal Trojans ©
Played October 6, 1979 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Washington State	0	0	3	0	.000					0	3	0	.000
Southern Cal ©	4	24	3	1	.875	10	1	1	.875	11	2	0	.846	3	0	0	1.000

 

 

Washington State coach Jim Walden brought his 1-3 Cougars to Los Angeles for the battle with the top-ranked, 4-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson.  Southern Cal All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald threw 2 touchdown passes while Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Charles White added 2 rushing touchdowns as the Trojans crushed the Cougars 50-21 to retain The Belt.  Southern Cal opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown pass from McDonald to TE Vic Rakhshani & followed with an 11-yard touchdown run from RB Marcus Allen.  After holding the Cougars on their next three downs, Southern Cal LB Byron Darby blocked the Washington State punt out of the end zone for a safety giving the Trojans a 16-0 midway through the 1^st quarter.  Midway through the 2^nd quarter Washington State got into the end zone with a 2-yard touchdown run by QB Steve Grant but Southern Cal quickly responded with a 1-yard touchdown run from Allen giving the Trojans a 22-7 lead.  The on-slaught continued as Southern Cal got a 4-yard touchdown pass from McDonald to All-Pac 10 TE Hoby Brenner & Allen’s second touchdown came on another 1-yard run.  These scores sandwiched the Cougars’ 11-yard touchdown run by RB Tim Harris.  The final points of the 1^st half came when White scored from 1 yard with just 0:01 left before intermission giving Southern Cal a 43-14 halftime lead.  The only points of the 3^rd quarter came when Southern Cal CB Herb Ward intercepted Grant & returned it 47 yards for a touchdown.  Washington State’s final score came late in the 4^th quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by RB Harold Gillum.  McDonald finished with 212 yards passing with his 2 touchdowns while White added 142 yards rushing to his 2 scores.  For the Cougars, Grant threw for 54 yards with an interception & RB Tali Ena had 100 yards rushing in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Cougars finished 5-6 which included forfeits from both Arizona State & Oregon for NCAA violations.  Washington State would play for The Belt again in 1980.

 

 

 

Stanford Cardinal	Southern Cal Trojans ©
Played October 13, 1979 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Stanford	0	0	1	0	.000					0	1	0	.000
Southern Cal ©	4	25	3	1	.879	11	1	1	.885	11	2	0	.846	3	0	0	1.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The top-ranked, 5-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson came to this game with a 13-game winning streak & an eye on their annual battle with the Fighting Irish the following week.  The 3-2 Stanford Cardinal of coach Rod Dowhower had other ideas.  Southern Cal dominated the 1^st half taking a 21-0 lead before Stanford rallied for 3 touchdowns in the final 25 minutes to gain a 21-21 tie but Southern Cal retained The Belt (“To Be The Man, You Have To Beat The Man”).  The Trojans took the lead on their opening drive as Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Charles White finished a 7-play, 72-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run.  In the 2^nd quarter Southern Cal CB Herb Ward recovered a fumble from Stanford RB Mike Dotterer at the Stanford 49-yard line.  White’s 1-yard touchdown run finished the 9-play drive & gave the Trojans a 14-0 lead.  Moments later, Ward intercepted Stanford QB John Elway at the Stanford 26-yard line setting up RB Marcus Allen’s 15-yard touchdown run giving the Trojans a 21-0 lead with 8:38 left in the half.  The Trojans had scored their 3 touchdowns in 21 minutes & seemed to be in position to roll-up a big win.  In the 3^rd quarter, the roles reversed as the Cardinal started to make all the key plays & get the critical bounces.  Stanford drove 80 yards in 13 plays helped by a pass interference penalty called against Ward on a 3^rd down & 3.  The penalty kept the drive alive & QB Turk Schonert eventually found Dotterer on a 19-yard touchdown pass making the score Southern Cal 21 Stanford 7.  Late in the quarter, Stanford LB Terry Rennaker recovered White’s fumble at the Stanford 39-yard line.  The Cardinal converted 2 fourth down plays on the drive before Schonert threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to All-American WR Ken Margerum to get Stanford within a touchdown at 21-14.  After Southern Cal punted giving Stanford the ball at their own 13-yard line, the Cardinal drove 87 yards in 16 plays with Schonert carrying the final 10 yards for the touchdown that tied the game at 21-21.  The Cardinal had scored their 3 touchdowns in 25:27 but with 4:33 left in the game both teams still had chances for the win.  Stanford CB Rick Parker intercepted Southern Cal’s All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald at midfield.  The Cardinal drove to the Southern Cal 29-yard line before Schonert was sacked for a loss & All-Pac 10 PK Ken Naber missed a 53-yard field goal attempt.  With 0:43 left, the Trojans moved from their 36-yard line to the Stanford 31-yard line.  On the next play, Stanford CB Craig Zellmer is called for pass interference giving the Trojans the ball at the Stanford 23-yard line with 0:03 to play.  Southern Cal PK Eric Hipp, who had missed a 24-yard field goal in the 1^st half, had his 39-yard field goal attempt blocked by Stanford WR Gordon Banks as time expired & teams settled for a tie.  McDonald finished with 67 yards passing with 2 interceptions while White rushed for 221 yards with his 2 touchdowns.  Schonert threw for 163 yards with 2 touchdowns & Margerum had 6 catches for 104 yards with his score.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Cardinal finished 5-5-1 in Dowhower’s only season as coach.  Stanford would play for The Belt again in 1980.

 

 

 

Southern Cal Trojans ©	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Played October 20, 1979 at Notre Dame Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Cal ©	4	25	3	2	.867	11	1	2	.857	11	2	0	.846	3	0	0	1.000
Notre Dame	1	8	3	0	.727	2	1	0	.667	5	2	0	.714	1	0	0	1.000

 

 

The annual match-up of intersectional powers featured the 4^th ranked, 5-0-1 Southern Cal Trojans with coach John Robinson against the 9^th ranked, 4-1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish of Dan Devine.  USC's Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Charles White rushed for 4 touchdowns in the 2^nd half & All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald threw 2 touchdown passes as the Trojans continued their Belt reign with a 42-23 victory & claimed the Jeweled Shillelagh.  The teams combined for 1126 yards of total offense.  Neither team scored in the 1^st quarter but Southern Cal took a 7-0 lead when McDonald hit WR Dan Garcia on a 12-yard touchdown pass.  Notre Dame tied the score at 7-7 when All-American RB Vagas Ferguson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.  It looked like the Fighting Irish might take a halftime lead when Ferguson broke loose for a 59-yard run to the Southern Cal 9-yard line but the Trojans’ defense stopped Ferguson on a 4^th & goal from the 1-yard line when a halfback option-pass fell incomplete.  White scored twice in the 3^rd quarter on runs of 3 & 1 yard as Southern Cal pushed the lead to 21-7 before Ferguson got Notre Dame back within a touchdown scoring on a 21-yard run.  The 4^th quarter saw McDonald hit WR Kevin Williams on a 12-yard touchdown pass giving Southern Cal a 28-14 advantage.  The Fighting Irish again closed to within 8 points when RB Jim Stone scored on a 2-yard touchdown run but the missed extra-point attempt left Notre Dame trailing 28-20.  The Trojans got 2 more touchdowns from White in the 4^th quarter each coming on a 1-yard run for a 42-20 lead.  Notre Dame PK Chuck Male finished the scoring with a 42-yard field goal late in the game.  McDonald finished with 311 yards passing with 2 touchdowns, White added 261 yards rushing to his 4 scores, & Garcia had 8 catches for 149 yards with his touchdown.  Notre Dame QB Rusty Lisch threw for 286 yards but 2 interceptions, Ferguson rushed for 185 yards with his 2 scores, & WR Tony Hunter had 5 catches for 131 yards.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Fighting Irish finished 7-4.  Notre Dame would play for The Belt again in 1986.

 

 

 

Southern Cal Trojans ©	California Golden Bears
Played October 27, 1979 at Memorial Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Cal ©	4	26	3	2	.871	11	1	2	.857	12	2	0	.857	3	0	0	1.000
California	0	0	1	0	.000	0	1	0	.000

 

                       Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

After a win over Notre Dame, the Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson moved to 3^rd ranked nationally with a 6-0-1 record.  The California Golden Bears of coach Roger Theder brought a 4-3 record to the title match-up.  Southern Cal PK Eric Hipp hit a 45-yard field goal with 2:46 left in the game to give the Trojans a lead & Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Charles White scored 2 touchdowns including one as time expired in a hard-fought 24-14 Southern Cal victory to retain The Belt.  Southern Cal scored in the 1^st quarter when All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald hit TE James Hunter on a 3-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead.  California tied the game at 7-7 in the 2^nd quarter when Golden Bears’ CB Darnell Chapman returned a blocked field goal attempt 74 yards for a touchdown.  As the teams fought through the 3^rd quarter it seemed the Trojans were heading for their second tie of the season (they had tied Stanford 2 weeks earlier).  Early in the 4^th quarter, White scored on a 2-yard touchdown run as Southern Cal took a 14-7 lead but the Golden Bears rallied for a 13-yard touchdown pass from QB Rich Campbell to WR Matt Bouza with just 5:24 left in the game.  Southern Cal drove from their own 20-yard line to the California 28-yard line before Hipp converted his field goal attempt.  White’s 5-yard touchdown as the clock expired accounted for the final margin & came after the Golden Bears had turned the ball over on downs at their own 24-yard line.  McDonald finished with 212 yards passing with a touchdown while White rushed for 198 yards with his 2 scores.  Campbell threw for 266 yards with a touchdown while Bouza had 7 catches for 101 yards with his score.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Golden Bears finished 7-5 which included a forfeit from Oregon for NCAA violations.  California would play for The Belt again in 1980.

 

 

 

Arizona Wildcats	Southern Cal Trojans ©
Played November 3, 1979 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Arizona	0	0	2	0	.000					0	2	0	.000
Southern Cal ©	4	27	3	2	.875	11	1	2	.857	13	2	0	.867	3	0	0	1.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The Arizona Wildcats of coach Tony Mason brought a 4-2-1 record to Los Angeles to meet the 3^rd ranked Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson with a 7-0-1 record.  Southern Cal’s All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald threw 3 touchdown passes & a school-record 380 yards to 9 different receivers leading the Trojans to a 34-7 victory over the Wildcats.  Late in the 1^st quarter, the Trojans got a 13-play, 75-yard drive with Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Charles White scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run to finish the drive giving Southern Cal a 7-0 lead.  McDonald was the star of the 2^nd quarter, 80-yard scoring drive throwing for 71 yards completing 5 of 6 passes including an 18-yard touchdown pass to WR Kevin Williams that gave Southern Cal a 14-0 halftime lead.  McDonald threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Williams to open the 3^rd quarter before Trojans’ CB Jeff Fisher recovered a fumble from Arizona QB Bob Carter that set-up a 38-yard field goal from PK Eric Hipp as Southern Cal took a 24-0 lead to the 4^th quarter.  Arizona opened the final quarter with a 4-yard touchdown pass from QB Jim Krohn to TE Rich Roberts.  The pass finished a 7-play, 41-yard drive that came after Arizona CB Mark Streeter recovered a fumble from White.  The Trojans finished the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown pass from McDonald to TE Vic Rakhshani & a 32-yard field goal from Hipp.  White rushed for 167 yards in support of McDonald, Williams had 5 catches for 110 yards with 2 touchdowns, & WR Dan Garcia added 6 catches for 101 yards.  Krohn threw for 80 yards with a touchdown as well as an interception in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Wildcats finished 6-5-1 in Mason’s final season.  Arizona would play for The Belt again in 1980.

 

 

 

Southern Cal Trojans ©	Washington Huskies
Played November 10, 1979 at Husky Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Cal ©	4	28	3	2	.879	12	1	2	.867	13	2	0	.867	3	0	0	1.000
Washington	1	2	2	0	.500	2	1	0	.667	0	1	0	.000

 

One day short of a year since Southern Cal had reclaimed The Belt from Washington, the 4^th ranked, 8-0-1 Trojans of coach John Robinson had successfully defended title 13 times.  The 15^th ranked, 7-2 Huskies of Don James hoped to re-claim the title.  Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Charles White carried 38 times & set-up both of Southern Cal 2^nd half touchdowns as the Trojans retained The Belt with a 24-17 victory over the Huskies.  Late in the 1^st quarter, Washington took advantage of a short punt to get a 30-yard field goal from PK Mike Lansford.  The kick marked the first time this season any team had scored against the Trojans in the 1^st quarter.  Early in the 2^nd quarter, Trojan All-Pac 10 LB Dennis Johnson intercepted Washington QB Tom Flick & returned the pass 23 yards to the Washington 24-yard line.  Six plays later, Southern Cal’s All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to WR Dan Garcia giving the Trojans a 7-3 lead.  Late in the quarter, Trojans’ PK Eric Hipp kicked a 32-yard field goal giving Southern Cal a 10-3 halftime lead.  In the 3^rd quarter, Southern Cal drove 48 yards in 3 plays highlighted by a 22-yard run by White to set-up a 19-yard touchdown pass from McDonald to WR Kevin Williams.  Flick got hot on the next Washington drive that covered 80 yards in 5 plays with Flick hitting passes of 46 yards to WR Aaron Williams & 27 yards to WR Paul Skansi.  Flick finished the drive with a 1-yard quarterback sneak as the Huskies closed to within a touchdown at 17-10.  Late in the 3^rd quarter, Washington RB Ken Gardner blocked a 32-yard field goal attempt by Hipp.  The Huskies drove 63 yards in 7 plays with Flick throwing a 12-yard touchdown pass to Skansi tying the game at 17-17 with 13:29 left in the 4^th quarter.  Late in the 4^th quarter, the Trojans put together a 7-play, 80-yards drive highlighted by consecutive runs of 29 & 27 yards by White that got the ball to the Washington 11-yard line.  Southern Cal RB Marcus Allen scored from 11 yards with 11:50 left in the game giving the Trojans a 24-17 lead.  The Trojan’s defense was able to hold the rest of the quarter including a drive that was stopped inside the Southern Cal 10-yard line.  The final Washington push was set-up by a 40-yard punt return from Washington All-Pac 10 RS Mark Lee putting the ball at the Southern Cal 22-yard line.  The Huskies drove to the 1-yard line but four plays later, the Trojans goal-line defense held & took over possession at their own 5-yard line before running out the clock.  White finished with 243 yards rushing while McDonald threw for 125 yards with 2 touchdowns.  Flick finished with 245 yards passing with a touchdown but 2 interceptions, RB Vince Coby rushed for 103 yards, Skansi had 9 catches for 113 yards with a touchdown, & Williams had 5 catches for 110 yards in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Huskies finished 10-2, which included a forfeit from Arizona State for NCAA violations, & ranked 11^th nationally.  Washington would play for The Belt again in 1980.

 

 

 

UCLA Bruins	Southern Cal Trojans ©
Played November 24, 1979 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
UCLA	3	13	4	2	.737	6	4	0	.600	6	0	2	.875	1	0	0	1.000
Southern Cal ©	4	29	3	2	.882	12	1	2	.867	14	2	0	.875	3	0	0	1.000

 

 

The Victory Bell game for 1979 featured the 3^rd ranked, 9-0-1 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson with an 18-game unbeaten streak against the 5-5 UCLA Bruins of Terry Donahue.  Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Charles White scored 4 touchdowns in the 1^st half as the Trojans took a 35-0 halftime lead & coasted home with a 49-14 victory over the Bruins to retain The Belt.  White scored on a 2-yard touchdown run finishing a 14-play, 78-yard drive with 2:05 left in the 1^st quarter.  Southern Cal’s All-Pac 10 S Ronnie Lott intercepted UCLA QB Tom Ramsey, making only his second start, 0:40 later before returning it 30 yards for another touchdown giving the Trojans a 14-0 lead through the 1^st quarter.  The 2^nd quarter was all White as he scored on runs of 1, 26, & 2 yards to effectively put the game out of reach for UCLA.  UCLA QB Rick Bashore, playing for the first time in 3 weeks due to injury, opened the 3^rd quarter with a 79-yard touchdown pass to WR Jojo Townsell two plays after UCLA CB Tom Sullivan intercepted Southern Cal’s All-Pac 10 QB Paul McDonald.  The Trojans responded with a 5-yard touchdown pass from McDonald to TE Vic Rakhshani making the score Southern Cal 42 UCLA 21.  In the 4^th quarter, Bashore & Townsell connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass but Southern Cal closed out the scoring with a 54-yard touchdown run by RB Michael Hayes with just 2:30 left in the game.  White finished with 194 yards rushing with his 4 scores while McDonald threw for 199 yards with a touchdown.  Ramsey completed just 3 of 13 passes for 34 yards with 2 interceptions before being replaced by Bashore who threw for 224 yards with 2 touchdowns but an interception & Townsell had 5 catches for 129 yards with 2 touchdowns in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 11-0-1; Pac-10 Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Bruins finished 5-6.  UCLA would play again for The Belt in 1981.

 

 

 

Southern Cal Trojans ©	Ohio State Buckeyes
The Rose Bowl Played January 1, 1980 at the Rose Bowl

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Cal ©	4	30	3	2	.886	13	1	2	.875	14	2	0	.875	3	0	0	1.000
Ohio State	2	9	3	1	.731	5	0	1	.917	4	0	0	1.000	0	3	0	.000