# 1968 USC Trojans football team

The 1968 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. In their ninth year under head coach John McKay, the Trojans compiled a 9–1–1 record (6–0 against conference opponents), won the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8) championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 259 to 168. The team was ranked #2 in the final Coaches Poll and #4 in the final AP Poll.
Steve Sogge led the team in passing, completing 122 of 207 passes for 1,454 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. O. J. Simpson led the team in rushing with 383 carries for 1,880 yards and 23 touchdowns. Jim Lawrence led the team in receiving with 26 catches for 386 yards and two touchdowns. Simpson won both the Heisman Trophy and the Walter Camp Award.

## Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 21 | at No. 16 Minnesota* | No. 2 | Memorial StadiumMinneapolis, MN | W 29–20 | 60,820 |
| September 28 | at Northwestern* | No. 3 | Dyche StadiumEvanston, IL | W 24–7 | 47,277 |
| October 5 | No. 13 Miami (FL)* | No. 2 | Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA | W 28–3 | 71,189 |
| October 12 | at No. 18 Stanford | No. 2 | Stanford StadiumStanford, CA (rivalry) | W 27–24 | 81,000 |
| October 19 | Washington | No. 1 | Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA | W 14–7 | 60,990 |
| November 2 | at Oregon | No. 1 | Autzen StadiumEugene, OR | W 20–13 | 33,500 |
| November 9 | No. 11 California | No. 1 | Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA | W 35–17 | 80,871 |
| November 16 | No. 13 Oregon State | No. 1 | Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA | W 17–13 | 59,236 |
| November 23 | at UCLA | No. 1 | Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA (Victory Bell) | W 28–16 | 75,066 |
| November 30 | No. 9 Notre Dame* | No. 2 | Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA (rivalry) | T 21–21 | 82,659 |
| January 1, 1969 | vs. No. 1 Ohio State* | No. 2 | Rose BowlPasadena, CA (Rose Bowl) | L 16–27 | 102,063 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game |||||||

## Roster

    Source:

## Game summaries
### Minnesota

* OJ Simpson 39 rushes, 236 yards

### Stanford

* O.J. Simpson 47 rushes, 220 yards

### Oregon State

* O.J. Simpson 47 rushes, 238 yards

### Vs. Ohio State (Rose Bowl)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 1 Buckeyes | 0 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 27 |
| No. 2 Trojans | 0 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 16 |

## Awards and honors

* O. J. Simpson, Heisman Trophy
* O. J. Simpson, Walter Camp Award

## 1969 NFL/AFL Draft

Eight Trojans were selected in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, held in late January.
| Player | Position | Round | Overall | Franchise |
| O. J. Simpson | Running back | 1 | 1 | Buffalo Bills |
| Bob Klein | Tight end | 1 | 21 | Los Angeles Rams |
| Bill Hayhoe | Defensive tackle | 5 | 116 | Green Bay Packers |
| Bob Miller | Tackle | 6 | 138 | New Orleans Saints |
| Jim Lawrence | Back | 8 | 189 | New Orleans Saints |
| Jack O’Malley | Tackle | 12 | 302 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Mike Battle | Defensive back | 12 | 311 | New York Jets |
| Wilson Bowie | Running back | 13 | 320 | Detroit Lions |
    Source: