University Southern California Trojans
Football
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 Wild Bunch I (L to R): Al Cowlings, Jimmy Gunn, Bubba Scott, Charles Weaver and Tody Smith |
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 Wild Bunch II (L to R): Omar Nazel, Kenechi Udeze, Shaun Cody, Mike Patterson |
The Wild Bunch was a hit 1969 movie starring William Holden and directed by Sam Peckinpah. The spaghetti western-style film was nominated for three Oscars and won the award for Best Cinematography.
The Wild Bunch I
That year of 1969 featured another 'Wild Bunch'--the stellar defensive line
unit of the University of Southern California Trojans. The group--coached
by legendary Trojan Marv Goux--consisted of defensive ends Jimmy Gunn and
Charles Weaver, tackles Al Cowlings and Tody Smith and middle guards
Willard 'Bubba' Scott and Tony Terry (he was hampered by a hamstring injury
for much of the season and was not able to appear in the famed gunslinger
photo).
It was Cowlings who dubbed the unit 'The Wild Bunch' for their reckless abandon and hard-nosed style of play. And they more than lived up to that billing.
'The Wild Bunch' was the key as USC finished the season 10-0-1, including a win in the Rose Bowl over Michigan. In the game versus UCLA, they sacked Bruin quarterback Dennis Dummit 10 times for losses of 75 yards. Playing in an era of powerful running games, the 'Wild Bunch' allowed just 2.3 yards per carry to opposing offenses. Gunn, Weaver and Cowlings each were named All-Americans in their careers.
Said Goux: "They have ability, a great deal of courage and are emotionally dedicated. They are the hardest working group I've ever coached. As for how good they are, their record speaks for itself."
Added McKay: "I was never worried before a game, because I knew they would at least keep the game close and we would have a chance to win. I've never seen a college line with more ability."
The Wild Bunch II
The 2002 season saw the emergence of another great defensive line at USC. Ends Omar Nazel and Kenechi Udeze and tackles Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody played with the same reckless abandon and fierce determination as the original Wild Bunch and thus were dubbed 'The Wild Bunch II.'
Coached by Ed Orgeron, they were one of the keys to a squad that led the Pac-10 in total defense, rushing defense and scoring defense while finishing 11-2 and ranked fourth in the nation. The Trojans faced nine 1,000-yard rushers last season and not a single one of them reached the 100-yard mark, as USC held teams to just 83 yards rushing per game.
Incredibly, three members of 'The Wild Bunch II' were just sophomores in 2002 and all four members return for the 2003 season, poised to live up to their billing as the 'Best Defensive Line in College Football.'
