History lesson: USC versus Michigan

USC is the winningest team in Rose Bowl history. Michigan is the winningest team in college football history. When the traditional powers play today in the 93rd Rose Bowl game, it will mark the eighth Rose Bowl meeting between the schools. USC leads the Rose Bowl series, 5-2. Michigan won two regular-season games against the Trojans, in 1957 and 1958. A look at each Rose Bowl game:

JAN. 1, 1948

MICHIGAN 49, USC 0

* With All-Americans Bob Chappuis and Bump Elliott leading the way, the Wolverines tied the points record they set in the first Rose Bowl game against Stanford in 1902. Jack Weisenburger scored three touchdowns as Michigan handed USC its worst defeat. Times Sports Editor Paul Zimmerman wrote: “When, in the gloaming of the Arroyo Seco Stadium, the statisticians had caught up with the terrific touchdown parade, they added up the final score to 49 to 0.”

**

JAN. 1, 1970

USC 10, MICHIGAN 3

* Michigan running back Glenn Doughty suffered a knee injury during bowl preparations, and Wolverines Coach Bo Schembechler suffered a heart attack the night before the game. USC, making a record fourth consecutive Rose Bowl appearance, won on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Jones to Bob Chandler late in the third quarter. The Trojans got a stellar effort from a defense led by its line, known as the “Wild Bunch.” Afterward, Coach John McKay received a telephone call from President Nixon. “If you ever need any bodyguards,” McKay told Nixon, “I’ll send that five to you.”

**

JAN. 1, 1977

USC 14, MICHIGAN 6

* After USC tailback Ricky Bell was knocked out of the game early in the first quarter, freshman Charles White came on to gain 114 yards in 32 carries for the Trojans. “Was I scared about replacing Ricky?” White said afterward. “I was the first time I carried the ball, but after I got hit I settled down.” Quarterback Vince Evans scored on a one-yard run for a 7-6 lead and White scored on a seven-yard run in the fourth quarter. Michigan came in averaging nearly 39 points a game.

**

JAN. 1, 1979

USC 17, MICHIGAN 10

* White scored one of the most controversial touchdowns in Rose Bowl history when he dived for the end zone in the second quarter. Michigan linebacker Ron Simpkins stripped the ball from White, and the Wolverines recovered at the one-yard line. The line judge ruled that White had crossed the plane of the goal line, but the umpire signaled that Michigan had possession. After officials huddled, the touchdown stood. “I don’t know about you, but where I grew up you were supposed to have the football with you when you went into the end zone for a touchdown,” wrote Times columnist Jim Murray. “When Charles White ‘scored’ for USC with 7:28 remaining in the second period, he seemed to have forgotten one small detail -- the ball.”

**

JAN. 2, 1989

MICHIGAN 22, USC 14

* USC took a 14-3 halftime lead on two short touchdown runs by quarterback Rodney Peete, but the Wolverines stormed back in the second half and gave Schembechler his second win in his ninth Rose Bowl. Michigan’s Leroy Hoard rushed for 142 yards and scored twice in the fourth quarter on his way to becoming the Rose Bowl most valuable player.

**

JAN. 1, 1990

USC 17, MICHIGAN 10

* Tailback Ricky Ervins, who grew up five minutes from the stadium, rushed for 126 in 30 carries and scored the winning touchdown on a 14-yard run late in the fourth quarter, ruining Schembechler’s final game as coach of the Wolverines. Said USC Coach Larry Smith, who served six years as an assistant under Schembechler at Miami (Ohio) and Michigan: “I wish he could have played somebody else in his last game and beat them.” USC quarterback Todd Marinovich passed for 178 yards, ran for 35 and led the winning 75-yard scoring drive. Hoard rushed for 108 yards.

**

JAN. 1, 2004

USC 28, MICHIGAN 14

* USC finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press and coaches’ polls but was third in the Bowl Championship Series standings behind Oklahoma and Louisiana State. Quarterback Matt Leinart passed for three touchdowns and also caught a scoring pass from All-American receiver Mike Williams. The Trojans recorded nine sacks while emphatically stating their case for the AP title.

-- GARY KLEIN