USC
UCLA
Players Mentioned
USC Football Heads To Rose Bowl Stadium To Face Rival UCLA For Crosstown Showdown
November 19, 2024 | Football
CROSSTOWN SHOWDOWN
*The nation will be watching, but this is a local feud. USC and UCLA meet this Saturday at the Rose Bowl for the 94th version of the nation's most famous crosstown rivalry. It will be shown live nationally on NBC.
*UCLA has won just 7 of the last 25 meetings in the series with USC, but the Trojans fell to the Bruins last season 20-38 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
*City dominance will be determined in this game as well as the Victory Bell and Crosstown Cup points.
*Sticking to tradition, both teams will wear their home jerseys.
*Neither USC or UCLA are ranked in the AP Poll or in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
*The Rose Bowl stadium is USC's home away from home, as Troy has played more than 50 games there.
*USC has won 11 national championships, UCLA 1.
*USC has appeared in an unprecedented 33 Rose Bowls where it has a 25-8 mark (.758) (not including 1 appearance and 1 loss later vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 34 Rose Bowls, 25-9, .735). That is not only the most Rose Bowl wins of any team, but also the most wins by a school in a single bowl. UCLA has been in the Rose Bowl 11 times and is 5-6.
*Both schools have produced Heisman Trophy winners (USC has 8 [the most of any college football program], UCLA 1).
*The Trojans claim 176 All-American first teamers, while the Bruins have 98.
*USC has 880 all-time wins with a .694 winning percentage, while UCLA boasts 597 all-time wins with a .593 winning percentage. (Not including USC's 14 wins and 1 loss vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 894, .697.)
MAKING HIS MARK
*Redshirt senior RB Woody Marks continues to prove why he is one of the best and most versatile backs in the nation.
*In USC's 28-20 win over Nebraska, Marks tallied 19 carries for a career-high 146 yards against Nebraska's No. 12 ranked rushing defense to mark his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season and the eighth of his career.
*His six 100-yard rushing games are the most for any USC running back in the Lincoln Riley Era.
*Marks also eclipsed 1,000 yards for the first time in his career recording 1,065 yards in 2024.
*He currently ranks No. 29 in USC's all-time single-season rushing leaders.
*Marks is USC's first 1,000 yard rusher since Ronald Jones II rushed for 1,550 yards in 2017.
*Since Reggie Bush and LenDale White were 1,000-yard rushers in 2005, just five USC RBs have been 1,000-yard season rushers: Joe McKnight (2009), Curtis McNeal (2011), Javorius Allen (2014), Ronald Jones II (2016 & 2017) and now Woody Marks.
*Marks, the ultimate playmaker, had 6 catches for 36 yards to extend his streak of consecutive games with at least one catch to 55, which is the longest active streak in the nation.
*He is the first Trojan RB with 40+ catches in a single season since Javorius Allen recorded 41 in 2014. Marks has collected 43 receptions with at least 2 games remaining.
*Marks' 146 rushing yards were the most recorded by an individual player in the Big Ten in week 12.
*Per PFF, he also had the most explosive runs (10+ yards) in the Big Ten among all players in week 12 with 5 and the most yards before contact with 98 (the player in the No. 2 position had 54).
*He leads the Power 4 among all positions with 30 explosive runs over the last 9 weeks.
*Marks is averaging 132 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks 14th in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten.
*His 1,024 rushing yards are 18th in the nation and No. 4 in the Big Ten, and his rushing yards per game (102.4) rank 18th in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten.
PLAYERS WITH A CATCH IN AT LEAST 25 CONSECUTIVE GAMES
| NAME | POS | SCHOOL | CATCHES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woody Marks | RB | USC | 55 |
| LaJohntay Wester | WR | Colorado | 47 |
| Kyle Williams | WR | Wash. St. | 47 |
| Jaylin Noel | WR | Iowa St. | 42 |
| Brant Kuithe | TE | Utah | 41 |
| Brennan Presley | WR | Ok. St. | 40 |
| JP Richardson | WR | TCU | 37 |
| Andrew Armstrong | WR | Arkansas | 37 |
| Derwin Burgess Jr. | WR | Ga. Southern | 37 |
| Jordan Moore | WR | Duke | 36 |
| Elijah Sarratt | WR | Indiana | 35 |
| Raylen Sharpe | WR | Fresno State | 35 |
| Elijhah Badger | WR | Florida | 35 |
| Kaedin Robinson | WR | App. State | 34 |
| Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State | 33 |
| Joey Hobert | WR | Texas State | 33 |
| Money Parks | WR | Utah | 32 |
| Donavon Greene | WR | Wake Forest | 31 |
| Luther Burden III | WR | Ohio State | 31 |
| Taylor Morin | WR | Wake Forest | 29 |
| Kole Wilson | TE | Texas State | 28 |
| Harold Fannin Jr. | TE | Bowling Green | 28 |
| Kevin Coleman Jr. | WR | Mississippi State | 27 |
| Noah Smith | WR | Sam Houston | 27 |
| Mason Taylor | TE | LSU | 27 |
| Malik Rutherford | WR | Georgia Tech | 26 |
| Tyler Warren | TE | Penn State | 26 |
| Joseph Manjack IV | WR | Houston | 25 |
| Malachi Fields | WR | Virginia | 25 |
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MARKS
*"He's been consistent, steady, just a tough, physical runner. It's not a shock that the guy plays the way he does every week because he works every day. He's the same guy every day. He comes to compete and so, game day is really no different. It's something you just come to expect out of him and he's answered the bell for us all year long."- USC head coach Lincoln Riley.
POWERFUL PUNTING
*P Eddie Czaplicki, a Ray Guy Award semifinalist, is the best punter in the nation.
*He earned a game ball from head coach Lincoln Riley after Saturday's 28-20 victory over Nebraska.
*Czaplicki averaged 51.8 yards per punt on Saturday on his 4 punts with 3 of the 4 going over 50 yards (51, 54 and 60) and all 4 pinned Nebraska inside of the 20, including a 60-yard punt to the Nebraska 1-yard line.
*USC is No. 1 in the nation in net punting (46.18 yards), and Czaplicki ranks No. 2 in the nation with a 48.9-yard punting average.
*He has recorded zero touchbacks the entire season.
*He has averaged over 50-yards in 4 games this season (55.3 vs. LSU, 53.1 vs. Michigan, 56.0 vs. Minnesota and 51.8 vs. Nebraska).
*He has been named a Ray's 8 Award recipient three times this season.
*Eighteen of Czaplicki's 33 punts have been over 50 yards (.545), including a season-long of 62 yards against Minnesota.
*He also recorded a career-high single game punting average of 53.1 yards against Michigan, and 19 of his punts have pinned opponents inside the 20.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT CZAPLICKI
*"Eddie Czaplicki might run away with team MVP honors this season. It's not every day that the punter gets a shoutout in the head coach's opening statement, but that's how important Czaplicki has become to USC's whole operation. Each of his four punts resulted in Nebraska starting its drive inside of at least its own 13-yard line. Twice, he pushed Nebraska inside the five. Those four Nebraska drives yielded exactly two (!!!) first downs and 57 yards. Give this kid the Ray Guy Award already." - Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times
*"What a great job Eddie Czaplicki has done for us. He has probably been the best punter in the country up to this point. Just how consistent he's been and how great our punting has been – I thought the field position battle was huge on the day. Some big time plays and some key moments." - USC head coach Lincoln Riley
MAIAVA MANIA
*Redshirt sophomore QB Jayden Maiava went 25-for-35 (.714) for 259 yards with 3 TD passes and 1 TD run in his first career start as a Trojan.
*Maiava's 6-yard TD toss to WR Zachariah Branch in the first quarter was his first passing TD of the season (he entered the game with one rushing TD).
*He also had TD throws of 12 yards to WR Kyron Hudson and 48 yards to WR Duce Robinson.
*Maiava added a 2-yard TD run of his own in the fourth quarter.
*His 3 TD passes tied a career-best (he did this twice in 2023 against New Mexico and Kansas) and the 4 total TDs are a single-game career-best.
*This is Maiava's third-career game with a passing TD and a rushing TD (Vanderbilt and Wyoming in 2023).
*Maiava's 3 passing TDs ranked fourth among Power 4 QBs in week 12 and tied for first in the Big Ten.
*His 259 passing yards were fourth among Big Ten QBs in week 12.
*He was added to the Polynesian Player of the Year Award Watch List after his performance against Nebraska.
*He is the first Polynesian quarterback to start for USC.
*As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Maiava led UNLV to its most wins since 1984 and a first-ever appearance in the Mountain West Championship.
*He completed 224-of-353 passes (63.5%) for 3,085 yards and 17 TDs with 10 INTs, plus he rushed for 277 yards on 73 carries (3.8 avg.) and scored 3 TDs while seeing action and starting in all 14 games.
*He also recorded 2 tackles. Maiava was named the 2023 Mountain West Freshman of the Year and the 2023 College Football Network Freshman Quarterback of the Year.
*He earned placement on the 2023 All-Mountain West Second Team and the 2023 Phil Steele AllMountain West Second Team.
*He set the Mountain West record for Freshman of the Week honors with 5.
*Maiava redshirted the 2022 season and did not see any action at quarterback.
*He is majoring in Communication at USC.
*While at UNLV, Maiava earned placement on the Fall 2023 Academic All-Mountain West Team.
*His uncle is former Trojan linebacker, Kaluka Maiava (2005-08).
POLYNESIAN TROJANS
*Among the Polynesians who have played at USC: George Achica, Pat Ah-Hing, Al Aliipule, Michael Alo, Charley Ane, Mason Cobb, Martin Coleman, Su'a Cravens, Juliano Falaniko, Josh Falo, Hebron Fangupo, Salo Faraimo, Josh Fatu, Palaie Gaoteote IV, Paul Green, Harold Han, Stanley Havili, Arthur Hemingway, Talanoa Hufanaga, Jordan Iosefa, John Kamana, Kolomona Kapanui, Tayler Katoa, Uona Kaveinga, Gaylord Kuamoo, Chris Limahelu, Tilini Livai, Toa Lobendahn, Karl Lorch, Taitusi Lutui, Malaefou MacKenzie, AJ Mageo, Faaesea Mailo, Kaluka Maiava, Kaulana Makaula, Vavae Malepeai, Alatini Malu, Abe Markowitz, Osa Masina, Fred Matua, Rey Maualuga, Kana'i Mauga, Junior Moi, Johnny Naumu, Sol Naumu, Alani Noa, Tausivi Nomura, Gino Quinones, Kobe Pepe, Brandon Pili, Kennedy Pola, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Troy Polamalu, Junior Pomee, Junior Seau, Jamar Sekona, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Amos Talalele, Viane Talamaivao, Tyrone Taleni, Lofa Tatupu, Mosi Tatupu, Stanley Ta'ufo'ou, J.R. Tavai, Travis Tofi, Jay Toia, Jay Tufele, Maninoa Tufono, Titus Tuiasosopo, Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, Marlon Tuipulotu, Tuli Tuipulotu, Brian Tuliau, Solomon Tuliaupupu, Christian Tupou, Junior Utu, Soma Vainuku, Lenny Vandermade and Simione Vehikite.
ROCKIN' ROBINSON
*WR Duce Robinson scored on a 48-yard TD catch in the third quarter.
*It was his longest catch of the season and the second-longest TD catch of his career (a 71-yarder vs. Nevada in 2023).
*Robinson has 5 TD catches this season, tied with WR Ja'Kobi Lane for the team lead.
*Robinson tied a career-high with 4 catches (his fourth time) for a career-high 90 yards, plus a TD catch.
*His 79.4 offensive grade ranked third among Big Ten wide receivers and 15th among all Power 4 wide receivers in week 12.
*USC is 3-0 when WR Duce Robinson has at least 70 yards.
*Robinson earned a game ball for his performance.
LIKE A CORNERBACK...
*CB Jaylin Smith notched a crucial interception for the Trojans.
*It was his second INT of the season and the third of his career.
*He also recorded 6 tackles (4 solo and 2 ast.).
*Smith earned a game ball from head coach Lincoln Riley.
*Per PFF, he recorded a 86.5 coverage grade which ranked first among Power 4 CB's and No. 1 in the Big Ten in Week 12.
*Per PFF, his 82.9 defensive grade ranks No. 2 in the nation among Power 4 CB's and No. 1 in the Big Ten among defensive backs in Week 12.
*CB Greedy Vance Jr. intercepted a pass in the endzone with no time on the clock to secure the victory.
*It was his first INT of the season and the fifth of his career.
*After intercepting the pass, Vance Jr. went and gave the ball to USC Athletic Director Jen Cohen.
*Vance also earned a game ball.
OLINE STATS
*OLs Jonah Monheim and Elijah Paige allowed zero QB pressures against Nebraska which tied for best among all Power 4 linemen and tied for first in the Big Ten.
*Per PFF, Paige's 80.1 offensive grade was third among Big Ten offensive linemen and 6th among Power 4 linemen.
*His 74.7 run block grade was sixth among Big Ten linemen (and 15th among Power 4 linemen) and third among Big Ten tackles (and 8th among Power 4 tackles).
*His 83.9 pass block grade was 12th among Big Ten linemen and second among Big Ten tackles.
NEBRASKA GAME RECAP
*USC defeated Nebraska 28-20 in an electric atmosphere on Homecoming in the Coliseum.
*USC has never lost to Nebraska in these historic programs' infrequent meetings, going 5-0-1.
*Early in the game, Husker and former Trojan DB Ceyair Wright returned an early interception 45 yards for a TD.
*QB Jayden Maiava then hit WR Zachariah Branch for a 6-yard TD, Branch's first of the season and Maiava's first passing TD of the season.
*In the second quarter, WR Kyron Hudson caught a bobbled 12-yard pass for another Trojan TD, but Nebraska evened out the score at 14-14 before going into halftime.
*Early in the third, Nebraska scored a field goal to push ahead, but then Maiava hit WR Duce Robinson in stride for an untouched 48-yard TD.
*Maiava later lost a fumble at the USC 16 while scrambling, leading to Nebraska's second field goal of the quarter to make the score 21-20.
*Wright blocked a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter, but Nebraska couldn't score on its next offensive series.
*RB Woody Marks took a fourth-down pitch from Maiava for 43 yards before Maiava finished the drive with his TD run.
*Nebraska got the ball back with 2:45 left on the clock and drove to the USC 14 with 5 seconds to play.
*After a false start, CB Greedy Vance Jr. easily intercepted Raiola's final pass into double coverage in the end zone to secure the victory for the Trojans.
RANKINGS
Neither USC nor UCLA are ranked in either poll.USC VERSUS UNRANKED UCLA
*USC is 29-15-5 against unranked UCLA teams (not including 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record 30-15-5).
*When neither team was ranked by AP (like this season), USC is 13-9-4 against UCLA, with the wins in 1937-40-43 twi ce-48-49-56-63-64-99-2000-10-19, the losses in 1950-57-61-70-83-96- 2018-21-23 and the ties in 1936-41-44-58. SERIES
*USC leads the series with crosstown rival UCLA, 50-34-7 (dating back to 1929, a 76-0 Trojan win), not including Troy's 2004 and 2005 victories that were vacated due to NCAA penalty (original record: 52-34- 7).
*UCLA only has been victorious 7 times in the last 25 meetings dating back to 1999.
IN ROSE BOWL STADIUM
*USC is 36-20 in regular and post-season games it has played in the Rose Bowl, including 25-8 in the Rose Bowl Game, 9-11 versus UCLA and 2-1 in the 1922 regular season (not including 1 win over UCLA and 1 Rose Bowl loss vacated due to NCAA penalty; original records 37-21 overall, 25-9 in Rose Bowl Game and 10-11 versus UCLA).
*Incidentally, USC played the first-ever official football game in the Rose Bowl stadium, a 12-0 loss to California on Oct. 28, 1922.
HOME JERSEYS
*For the first time since 1982, both USC and UCLA wore their home jerseys in the 2008 game (a UCLA home game in the Rose Bowl) and the teams have continued to do so since (except for 2011 when the visiting Bruins chose to wear white jerseys).
*Per an NCAA football-playing rule (no longer in effect beginning in 2009), because the 2008 Trojans were not in their white road jerseys, they were charged with a timeout at the opening kickoff. UCLA responded by calling a timeout immediately after to even things up.
*The tradition of USC in its cardinal jerseys and UCLA in its blue jerseys, regardless of whose home game it was, went from 1949 to 1951 and then 1957 through 1982 before an NCAA football rule change required the visiting team to wear white.
VICTORY BELL
*The winner of the annual USC-UCLA football game gets year-long possession of the Victory Bell, a 295-pound bell off a freight locomotive.
*Originally given to UCLA in 1939 as a gift from the UCLA Alumni Association, several USC students took the bell in 1941 and hid it in a variety of locations for more than a year.
*A controversy ensued and school administrators had to intercede.
*In 1942, the bell resurfaced and, by agreement, became the trophy given to the game's winner.
*However, tradition calls for the Victory Bell to spend most of the year in storage…or, rather appropriately, in hiding.
*Since the bell became a trophy, its carriage has been painted cardinal 45 times while in USC's possession and blue 34 times while in UCLA's custody (there were 4 ties) (not including 2 USC wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 47).
CROSSTOWN CUP
*The winner of the USC-UCLA football game scores 10 points toward the Crosstown Cup, a trophy awarded annually to the school with the most successful athletic year against the other.
*The competition was formerly known as the Crosstown Gauntlet. Points are awarded to the winner of each Trojan-Bruin head-to-head contest and the Crosstown Cup will be awarded to the school with the most points at year's end (100 points is the magic number).
*USC has won the Crosstown Cup 13 times in the competition's 21 years, including a span of 5 consecutive years: 2001-02, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2013-14, 2015- 16, 2018-19, 2020-21 and 2022-23. (The 2019-20 competition was suspended in the spring when collegiate athletic events were cancelled due to COVID-19.)
BIG TEN COMPETITION
*USC has won 38 of its last 54 games (.702) against Big Ten foes.
IN NOVEMBER
*USC has a 271-141-20 (.651) all-time record while playing in the month of November (not including 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 274-141-20, .653).
SUPER BOWL SITES
*Just 3 teams in the nation are scheduled to play at 3 different Super Bowl sites:
*USC – All home games are at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; USC defeated LSU 27-20 at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 1; USC will play UCLA at the Rose Bowl on Nov. 23
*Notre Dame – The Irish will play Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 19; Notre Dame will face Navy at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 26; The Irish will challenge the Trojans in the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Nov. 30
*Navy – The Midshipmen will play Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 26; Navy will face Rice at Rice Stadium on Nov. 2; The Midshipmen will challenge South Florida at Raymond James Stadium on Nov. 9.
OLYMPIC RECORD
*USC is 208-75-10 (.727) in seasons that the Summer Olympics have been held (including this season). The Trojans won 4 national titles (1928, 1932, 1972, 2004) and played in 11 bowls (winning 8) during those Olympic seasons. (Does not include 2 wins--including 1 bowl appearance and 1 bowl win-- vacated by NCAA penalty; original record: 210-75-10, .729.)
PRESIDENTIAL RECORD
*USC is 226-75-14 (.740) during presidential election years (including this season). (Does not include 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 227-75-14, .741).
*The Trojans are 132-34-5 (.787) in years when Republicans won the White House and 94-41-9 (.684) when Democrats won. (Does not include 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 133-34-5, .788 with Republicans.)
*USC has won 4 national championships (1928-32-72-2004) during presidential election years.
TV OUTLETS
*USC has appeared live on 35 different television broadcasting outlets. The Trojans have won on the air of all but 3 of those outlets (KTLA, Innovative and a local Memphis station).
*USC has appeared on live national, regional or local telecasts 589 times.
HOME SWEET HOME
*Just 13 players across the nation returned to their previous school after spending one or more seasons at another NCAA institution.
| NAME | SCHOOL | PREVIOUS |
|---|---|---|
| Beau Allen | Kentucky | Ga. Southern & Tarleton State |
| Jori Benson | Utah | UConn |
| Tyler Buchner | Notre Dame | Alabama |
| Vita Calvaruso | Arkansas | Wisconsin |
| Duce Chestnut | Syracuse | LSU |
| Omarion Cooper | Florida State | Colorado |
| Gilber Edmond | South Carolina | Florida State |
| Kyle Ford | USC | UCLA |
| Jam Griffin | Oregon State | Ole Miss |
| Henry Ikahihifo | Nevada | California |
| Lorando Johnson | Baylor | Arkansas |
| Christian Rorie | Duke | Texas State |
| Corey Rucker | Arkansas St. | South Carolina |
USC-UCLA CONNECTIONS
*USC S Kamari Ramsey played at UCLA from 2022-23. He recorded 46 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, 5 PBUs and 1 INT while appearing in 11 games with 11 starts.
*USC CB John Humphrey was also previously a Bruin. In his four years at UCLA (2020-23), he recorded 76 tackles, including 1 for loss, 6 PBUs, 2 INTs, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery while appearing in 39 games with 19 starts.
*USC WR Kyle Ford who played at USC from 2019-22, came back home to Troy for his final year of eligibility after a quick stint across town at UCLA during the 2023 season. While at UCLA, he recorded 22 receptions for 236 yards (10.7 avg.) and 1 TD with a long of 37 yards while appearing in 12 games with 3 starts.
*USC Defensive Coordinator D'Anton Lynn served as defensive coordinator at UCLA in 2023. Lynn elevated UCLA's defense from ranking No. 87 in 2022 to finishing the 2023 regular season ranked No. 10 in the nation.
*USC men's volleyball Head Coach Jeff Nygaard was a 3-time (1993-95) All-American and 2-time National Player of the Year at UCLA. Nygaard also served as a volunteer assistant coach with UCLA's men's team for three seasons (2002-04).
*USC women's volleyball Head Coach Brad Keller previously was a women's volleyball associate head coach at UCLA. Prior to that, Keller served six years (2013-18) as an assistant coach for UCLA men's volleyball. He has coached for both the men's and women's programs at USC and UCLA.
*USC women's volleyball Associate Head Coach Spencer McLachlin was an assistant coach for UCLA men's volleyball from 2018-21. He is also married to USC women's volleyball great, Diane Copenhagen.
*USC women's soccer Head Coach Jane Alukonis spent four years (2018-21) as an assistant coach at UCLA.
*USC Athletic Medicine Director of Operations Russ Romano spent 1997-1998 as an assistant athletic trainer at UCLA.
*USC Associate Athletic Director of Equipment Operations Cecilia Snipes previously worked at UCLA as the assistant athletic director of equipment operations.
*UCLA LB JonJon Vaughns is the brother of former USC wide receiver Tyler Vaughns (2017-20).
*UCLA DL Jay Toia spent the spring of 2021 at USC.
*USC Assistant Athletic Director for Major Gifts Rashaad Moore previously spent two years (2014- 16) as the UCLA assistant director of development.
*UCLA baseball Head Coach John Savage was USC's pitching coach from 1996-2000.
*UCLA Assistant Director of NIL Madeline Walsh graduated from USC in 2020.
*UCLA Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director / Senior Woman Administrator Dr. Christina Munger-Rivera previously worked in USC's student athlete academic services department.
*USC NIL General Manager Lyndsey Lopes previously served as UCLA's NIL coordinator.
*UCLA Assistant Director of Football Performance Sean Swetnam previously coached in the weight room at USC in 2021.
*UCLA Associate Athletic Director/Health, Performance and Wellness Mark Pocinich previously was an assistant athletic trainer at USC.
*UCLA men's basketball Assistant Coach Brendyn Taylor spent three years on the USC basketball team (2013-15) and earned his bachelor's degree in psychology in 2015.
*UCLA Senior Defensive Analyst Clancy Pendergast was USC's defensive coordinator and secondary coach in 2013 and returned as the defensive coordinator from 2016-19.
*USC QB Miller Moss, USC WR Jordan Xavier, USC QB Dylan Gebbia, USC LB Ryan Quintanar, UCLA T.J. Harden, UCLA WR Kwazi Gilmer and UCLA DB Kaylin Moore are from Los Angeles, Calif.
*USC WR Duce Robinson, USC OL Elijah Paige and UCLA OL Jaylan Jeffers are from Phoenix, Ariz.
*USC S Christian Pierce, UCLA WR Devanti Dillard and UCLA LS Salem Abdul-Wahab are from Fontana, Calif.
*USC OL Kilian O'Connor and UCLA DL Collins Acheampong both prepped at Santa Margarita Catholic HS.
*USC CB Maliki Crawford and UCLA DL Devin Aupiu are from Oxnard, Calif.
*USC DE DJ Peevy, UCLA K Joseph Firebaugh Jr., UCLA DB D.J. Justice, UCLA OL Kory Symington and UCLA DB Brett Barry are from San Diego, Calif.
*USC P Cameron Shirangi, UCLA WR Braden Pegan and UCLA P Chase Barry are from San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
*USC OL Mason Murphy and UCLA P Chase Barry both prepped at JSerra Catholic HS.
*USC SNP Hank Pepper and UCLA RB Jalen Berger were teammates at Michigan State in 2022- 23.
*USC QB Jake Jensen and UCLA QB Nick Billoups spent the spring of 2021 as teammates at BYU.
*USC S Kamari Ramsey, USC WR Xavier Jordan, USC S Marquis Gallegos, UCLA WR Kwazi Gilmer and UCLA OL Josh Carlin prepped at Sierra Canyon HS.
*USC CB Prophet Brown, USC OL Alani Noa, UCLA DL Michael Sullivan and UCLA DB Kanye Clark are from Sacramento, Calif.
*USC LB Raesjon Davis, USC WR Kyron Hudson, USC WR Josiah Zamora, USC WR Corey Nerhus, USC DE Solomon Tuliaupupu, UCLA LB Larry Edwards II and UCLA DB Jaylin Davies all prepped at Mater Dei HS.
*USC TE Carson Tabaracci and UCLA K David Dellenbach both prepped at Park City HS as well as are from Park City, Utah.
*USC LB Roman Marchetti and UCLA DB Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins are from Tustin, Calif.
*USC QB Jack Stupin and UCLA DB Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins both prepped at Tustin HS.
*USC TE Walker Lyons and UCLA WR Rico Flores Jr. both prepped at Folsom HS.
*USC WR Zachariah Branch, USC S Zion Branch, USC DE Garrett Pomerantz, UCLA LB Donavyn Pellot and UCLA A.J. Fuimaono are from Las Vegas, Nev.
*USC QB Jack Stupin and UCLA QB Ethan Garbers are both from Newport Beach, Calif.
*USC LB Raesjon Davis and UCLA WR Grant Gray are from Norco, Calif.
*USC CB Jacobe Covington and UCLA OL Jaylan Jeffers both prepped at Saguaro HS.
*USC CB Marcelles Williams, USC DT Kobe Pepe, UCLA DB R.J. Jones, UCLA LB Ty Lee, UCLA LB Jalen Woods and UCLA DB Cameron Jones all prepped at St. John Bosco.
*USC CB John Humphrey, UCLA LB JonJon Vaughns, UCLA OL Sam Yoon and UCLA DB R.J. Jones are all from Pasadena, Calif.
*USC CB Jaylin Smith, USC QB Miller Moss, USC QB Dylan Gebbia and UCLA DB D.J. Justice prepped at Bishop Alemany HS.
*USC OL Erwin Taomi and UCLA OL Alani Makihele are from Anchorage, Alaska.
*USC QB Jayden Maiava and UCLA OL Alani Makihele were teammates at UNLV from 2022-23.
*USC DT Ratumana Bulabalavu, USC DT Devan Thompkins and UCLA DB Jadyn Marshall are from Stockton, Calif.
*USC LB Matt Galván and UCLA LS Trent Middleton are both from Fullerton, Calif.
*USC WR Kyle Ford and UCLA LS Trent Middleton both prepped at Orange Lutheran HS.
*USC OL Gino Quinones and UCLA WR Titus Mokiao-Atimalala are both from Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
*USC S Christian Pierce and UCLA TE Bryce Pierre both prepped at Rancho Cucamonga HS.
*USC P Eddie Czaplicki and UCLA TE Bryce Pierre were teammates at Arizona State in the spring of 2023.
*USC WR Ja'Kobi Lane and UCLA DL Joquarri Price are from Mesa, Ariz.
*USC DE Anthony Lucas and UCLA P Brody Richter are from Scottsdale, Ariz.
*USC S Akili Arnold, USC LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and UCLA OL Mark Schroller prepped at Mission Viejo HS and are from Mission Viejo, Calif.
*USC OL Jonah Monheim and UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger are from Moorpark, Calif.
*USC K Garth White and UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger both prepped at Oaks Christian HS.
*USC CB Isaiah Rubin, USC TE CJ Woods, USC DT Kobe Pepe and UCLA WR Ezavier Staples and UCLA DB Clint Stephens are from Long Beach, Calif.
*USC LB Ryan Quintanar, USC OL Jack Susnjar, UCLA OL Sam Yoon and UCLA DB Evan Thomas all prepped at Loyola HS.
*USC RB Woody Marks and UCLA DB K.J. Wallace II are from Atlanta, Ga.
*USC Director of Athletics Jennifer Cohen served in a similar role at Washington while UCLA QB Ethan Garbers was on the Washington roster in 2020.
*USC Director of Athletics Jennifer Cohen served as director of athletics at Washington while UCLA Assistant Coach, Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Ikaika Molloe served on the coaching staff at Washington from 2016-21 finishing his stint as the Huskies' co-defensive coordinator.
*USC Defensive Ends Coach Shaun Nua served in a similar role at Michigan while UCLA offensive line coach Juan Castillo served as an offensive analyst at Michigan in 2019.
*USC Director of Athletics Jennifer Cohen served as director of athletics at Washington while UCLA Senior Offensive Analyst Daniel Sega served as an offensive graduate assistant with the University of Washington from 2017-19.
*UCLA Senior Defensive Analyst Clancy Pendergast has served 3 stints at USC. First in 1992 under head coach Larry Smith. He then spent one season as a defensive backs coach in 2013 before finally spending 2016-19 as USC's defensive coordinator.
*UCLA Assistant General Manager, Recruiting & Personnel Chris Carter served as USC's director of player development from 2022 through the spring of 2024.
*UCLA On-Campus Recruiting Director Morgan Laurence was an assistant director of recruiting at USC from 2022-24.
*UCLA's Interim Chancellor Darnell Hunt received his BA from USC in 1984.
*UCLA's Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director / Chief Development Officer Stephanie London Krogius graduated from USC in 1991 with a degree in communication.
*UCLA's Assistant Team Physician Dr. CJ Duffaut attended medical school and residency at USC.
*UCLA's Assistant Team Physician Dr. Joshua Goldman attended medical school at USC.
*UCLA's Team Dentist Dr. Ray Padilla went to dental school at USC.
*UCLA's women's basketball Associate Head Coach Shannon LeBeauf served as an assistant coach at USC from 2000-04.
*UCLA's men's tennis Head Coach Billy Martin received his master's of business administration from USC in 1991.
*UCLA's Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Joanna Hayes served as an assistant coach at USC from 2017-24.
*UCLA's Assistant Coach, Sprints and Hurdles Mecca McGlaston was a hurdler at USC from 2018-22, winning two NCAA team titles in 2018 and 2021.
*UCLA's Assistant Coach, Jumps/Multis Nick Newman served in a similar position at USC.
*UCLA's men's volleyball Head Coach John Hawks served as an assistant coach at USC from 2007-08.
*UCLA's women's volleyball Assistant Coach Stevi Robinson-Trail spent one year at USC competing in beach volleyball finishing her USC career with a 21-3 dual match record.
*USC Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director / Chief Financial Officer John Digrado received his bachelor's degree in American Literature from UCLA.
*USC Associate Athletic Director for Development Dr. Parker Poliakoff spent three years (2016- 19) as a major gift officer at UCLA.
*USC Learning Specialist Jose Acosta served in a similar role at UCLA.
*USC Academic Advisor Cole Mears spent 2020 as an academic mentor at UCLA.
*USC Senior Learning Specialist Marisa Samaniego spent two years as an academic mentor at UCLA working with Olympic sports and football. She also received her bachelor's degree from UCLA while competing for the swimming and diving team.
*USC women's basketball Assistant Coach Wendale Farrow spent two seasons at UCLA, where his duties included video coordinator, community service liaison, scout team adviser, camp director and interim recruiting coach.
*USC women's golf Assistant Coach Beth Wu was a four-year member of the UCLA's women's golf team from 2015-19. Wu collected two All-American nods and two collegiate wins in her senior season.
*USC's women's rowing Assistant Coach Jake Power spent three seasons (2021-24) as an assistant coach at UCLA.
*USC's men's tennis Assistant Coach Bryce Pereira played five seasons (2017-22) for the UCLA's men's tennis squad.
*USC's men's volleyball Director of Operations / women's & men's Volleyball Technical Coordinator Virginia Pham received a bachelor's of science in computer science from UCLA in 2015 where she served as a student assistant for the Bruins' men's, women's and beach volleyball programs from 2012-15.
*USC's women's volleyball Assistant Coach Megan Moenoa is a 2015 graduate of UCLA where she was a setter in the Bruins' 2011 NCAA national championship team and averaged 8.42 assists per set over her four-year career.
UCLA SCOUTING REPORT
*Head coach DeShaun Foster is 4-6 overall and 3-5 in Big Ten games in his first season as head coach in 2024.
*UCLA ranks No. 6 in the nation in 4th down conversion percentage defense (.300) and second in the Big Ten.
*They are No. 11 in the nation in kickoff return defense (16.00) and No. 1 in the Big Ten.
*They are No. 14 in the nation in punt returns (14.25) and No. 1 in the Big Ten.
*They rank No. 7 in the nation in rushing defense (100.6) and No. 4 in the Big Ten.
*LB Carson Schwesinger ranks No. 1 in the nation in solo tackles averaging 6.9 per game.
*The Bruins broke their three-game winning streak with a 19-31 loss to Washington on Friday (No. 15) in Seattle.
*Despite the loss, the Bruins outgained the Huskies, 319 to 305 net total yards. Additionally, UCLA allowed a season-low 182 passing yards, marking the second straight week the Bruins' defense set a season-best for passing defense (allowed 185 yards to Iowa on Nov. 8).
*QB Ethan Garbers went 27-of-44 (.614) for 267 yards and 2 TDs. On the ground, UCLA rushed for 52 yards.
*Schwesinger led the Bruins with his seventh double-digit tackle performance, a career-high 17 tackles (10 solo).
*UCLA has suffered several injuries on the offensive line, and after OL Jaylan Jeffers had to be carted off of the field on Friday, the staff had to put in the fourth-string left tackle.
*This season, Garbers is 189-of-294 (.643) for 2,173 yards and 14 TDs with 11 INTs.
*RB T.J. Harden leads the ground attack with 106 carries for 384 yards (3.6 avg.) and 1 TD.
*UCLA has only scored 3 rushing TDs in 2024.
*Harden also has recorded a team-leading 35 receptions for 336 yards (9.6 avg.) with 1 TD.
*WR Moliki Matavao leads the Bruins with 371 receiving yards on 31 catches (12.0 avg.) and 1 TD.
*LB Schwesinger has recorded 108 total tackles (69 solo), including 7.5 for loss of 33 yards (with 3 sacks for minus 28 yards), 2 INTs 2 PBUs, 1 FF and 1 QBH.
