The 1951 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) as a member of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC_) during the 1951 college football season. Led by first year head coach Jess Hill, the Trojans compiled an overall record of 7–3 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, placing fourth in the PCC. USC played home games at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
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| September 22 | Washington State | | | W 31–21 | 28,876 | [1] |
| September 29 | San Diego NTC* | | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA
| W 41–7 | 26,574 | [2] |
| October 6 | at No. 12 Washington | | | W 20–13 | 47,000 | [3] |
| October 13 | No. 18 Oregon State | No. 14 | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA
| W 16–14 | 36,400 | [4] |
| October 20 | at No. 1 California | No. 11 | | W 21–14 | 81,490 | [5] |
| October 27 | TCU* | No. 6 | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA
| W 28–26 | 50,732 | [6] |
| November 3 | Army* | No. 7 | | W 28–6 | 16,508 | [7] |
| November 10 | No. 7 Stanford | No. 6 | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA (rivalry)
| L 20–27 | 96,130 | [8][9][10] |
| November 24 | UCLA | No. 11 | | L 7–21 | 71,738 | [11] |
| December 1 | Notre Dame* | No. 20 | - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles, CA (rivalry)
| L 12–19 | 55,783 | [12] |
- *Non-conference game
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- Source: [13]
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Coaching staff
Roster
- HB #16 Frank Gifford, Sr.
1952 NFL draft
The following players were drafted into professional football following the season.
[16]
References
- ^ "Trojans give Jess Hill good sendoff with 31–21 victory". Pasadena Star-News. September 23, 1951. Retrieved January 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "S. C. Varsity Crushes Navy, 41–7; Marines Beat Jayvee". The Sun-Telegram. San Bernardino, California. Associated Press. September 30, 1951. p. 33. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Huskies upset by Trojan sub, 13 to 20". The Montana Standard. October 7, 1951. Retrieved January 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Trojans squeeze by Oregon St., 16–14". Santa Barbara News-Press. October 14, 1951. Retrieved January 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Trojans knock over California, 21–14". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 21, 1951. Retrieved January 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Trojans Rally, Nip TCU 28–26". The Press Democrat. Santa Rosa, California. Associated Press. October 28, 1951. p. 1B. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Trojans Overpower Green Army Eleven at Yankee Stadium, 28–6". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. Associated Press. November 4, 1951. p. 13. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ Orman, Ed (November 11, 1951). "Stanford Beats USC, 27-20, As Mathias Stars". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. p. 1A. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ Orman, Ed (November 11, 1951). "Mathais Goes 96 Yards As Indians Trip USC In Whirlwind Rally, 27-20 (continued)". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. p. 1S. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ Orman, Ed (November 11, 1951). "Kerkorian Air Shots Wreck SC (continued)". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. p. 2S. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Sophs power Bruins past Troy 21 to 7". The Sacramento Union. November 25, 1951. Retrieved January 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Irish nip Trojans, 19–12". The Kalamazoo Gazette. December 2, 1951. Retrieved January 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1951 USC Trojans Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ 1952 El Rodeo (USC yearbook), p. 44.
- ^ 1952 El Rodeo (USC yearbook), pages 44-45.
- ^ "Reference at www.pro-football-reference.com". Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
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| Bowls and rivalries | |
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| Culture and lore | |
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| People | |
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| Seasons | |
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National championship seasons in bold |