1980 Rose Bowl Ohio State vs. USC

[@RELopez-mk4ic]

Charles White, you made this kid a happy one on this day back in 1980. Rest in Peace Charles.

[@johnhofstetter5515]

1980 turned out to be an amazing year for myself and my best friend. I remember this day well as I was at the Rose Parade that morning. Watched the game later that evening with some Humboldt county skunk.

[@ernestharlen31]

They need to bring those bowls back on national tv,and junk all of those great value bowls sponsored by ESPN

[@theknowitall4090]

Agree. Loved it when the Sugar was ABC, Rose and Orange were NBC and Cotton CBS. ABC would have the minor games like Gator and Mizzlou would have the rest. Bowl season was special back then.

[@harrysurtees8710]

Here in 2023, the Rose Bowl is not what it use to be. I dislike change, I'm from the old school. One thing I would love to see changed is the NCAA disband. Get politics out of football. Get rid of the NCAA completely.

[@brettshepherd5240]

You aren't kidding. Who the hell cares about the mf taco bell bowl

[@SC17KB]

@@harrysurtees8710 at least I got to play in the 85 Rose Bowl on NBC ✌🏾

[@harrysurtees8710]

@@SC17KB A dream come true. I used to dream of playing for USC. That must of been a highlight of a lifetime.

[@t6v5c2]

Todd Bell was an animal in this game! Future member of the Bears D. Unfortunately he sat out the ‘85 season due to a contract dispute. RIP

[@Playsinvain]

Ahhh That Todd bell....

[@jsbc1988]

Pete Carroll was an OSU assistant coach in this game

[@allengreene9954]

I think Nick Saban was too.

[@lloydkline1518]

Really;; I though pete Carroll was all.usc blood

[@kevbomevbo3492]

Charles White and Marcus Allen in the same backfield. Wow.

[@SnowDaulphin]

Yup. Bush and White combo probably just as effective.

[@paulsonj72]

@@SnowDaulphin Even though he wasn’t a typical fullback in size Marcus Allen was the best blocker of the running backs which is why he played fullback in the 1979 season. And when he moved to the NFL the fact he could block helped him greatly.

[@SnowDaulphin]

@@paulsonj72 Yup.

[@paulsonj72]

@@SnowDaulphin I read that when John Madden did his first Raider game after Marcus Allen joined the team the players who had been there when Madden coached raved about Allen’s ability as a blocker and said he was like Clarance Davis(Another running back who was a great blocker). And more so Marcus Allen actually enjoyed blocking.

[@allengreene9954]

3:05:13-3:05:31: Very Beautiful Shot of the🌹🌹🌹🌹🍲🍲🍲 🍲

[@davidgreenshield2505]

One point away from National Championship. This was the second loss to USC by one point in the Rose bowl that cost us a National Championship. In 1974 we lost 18-17 and the winner of the that game was going to share the National Championship with Oklahoma. This was tough for coach Bruce because this was his best chance at a Natty.

[@briankohl7431]

Art art had money on the Trojans no way osu was gonna win.

[@Biggdoom344]

vitoduval that was the rose bowl v Michigan the year before when white fumbles before crossing the goal line

[@Biggdoom344]

Bruce not kicking that FG cost them big

[@ynp1978]

Yes! USC was 1 point away from a National Championship in 1979! A mid season 21-21 tie cost the Trojans dearly that year.

[@lloydkline3265]

@vitoduval no, that was against Michigan

[@lloydkline3265]

Golden age of college football

[@Loydstardeli2017]

No playoffs 12 playoffs team ridiculas

[@Playsinvain]

Back when they showed the bands...my mom would have enjoyed this

[@harrysurtees8710]

Having been a season ticket holder at USC, the Trojan Band would send shivers up my spine.

[@isaacguerra9844]

Dennis Smith and Ronnie Lott on the same defensive backfield...Ouch!!! Two of the greatest hitters!

[@smsvsct]

The first college bowl I ever saw as kid. Somehow, I remembered the back to back interceptions to start the game.!

[@luisvaldes1568]

Got to love it. Buckeye NT is 5'9" 210.

[@DGarcia879]

16:30 - Coach Robinson didnt last 5 years when he accepted the LA Rams head coaching job in 1983

[@richardgarrahy1238]

He coached the rams thru 92

[@harrysurtees8710]

After this game when OJ interviewed Robinson, Robinson says " I didn't think they (Ohio State) would ever let us (USC) in the endzone"? What kind of a statement is that from a head coach? Why didn't anyone ever tell Coach Robinson, don't keep hanging your head on the sideline, it looks bad, looks like your a loser? He was always hanging his head when he coached the Rams. Just bad optics.

[@eugenemcgirt2357]

@@harrysurtees8710 The vision of Eric Dickerson running for big gains led by Slater and company was great.

[@Loydstardeli2017]

Johnny Robinson was a super great college football coach just as good as his mentor john mckay another super great & legendary college football coach

[@Sammytwo4]

They won't ever get any better than the New Year's day bowl games back then.

[@davidheckman4188]

These teams made, by far, the greatest rosebowl matchups; so sad it wont happen again-being in same coference-viva the alltime 9!

[@NkrumahTure]

I've got to tell the truth, O.J. has got a big head. Charles White was a durable running back for USC. I see why he won that Heisman Trophy in 1979.

[@Biggdoom344]

One of the best college bowls games ever. USC was the best team in the country and should have been the champ. Ohio st was game but USC just had too much.

[@Maestrohbill]

Nope. You don't get to blow a 21-0 lead to a 5-5-1 mediocrity at home and claim a national title. Not back then.

[@chrisuncleahmad789]

Now if Ohio State had won this game, do they split with Bama?

[@Jiltedin2007]

Magic Mike The reason why USC was not National Champions In 1979 was because they tied Stanford at the Coliseum. They(USC) were up 21-0 at one point of the game, but Stanford rallied and it ended 21-21.

[@Jiltedin2007]

Chris Kreager Let me ask you. Had Arkansas would’ve pulled The Upset over Alabama at the Sugar Bowl, could the USC Trojans have been National Champions?

[@ynp1978]

@@Jiltedin2007 I can answer that....yes they would have been. They finished 2nd in both major polls behind Bama. Had the Tide lost that day USC was the only other undefeated team in the country. That tie with Stanford is still annoying 40 years later!

[@Lfg117]

John Robinson: all 'chill' on the sideline in a pressure situation. 🔥

[@theknowitall4090]

This was a great day. As a Bama fan I was in NO for the Sugar Bowl. After 2 lackluster performances against LSU and Auburn Bama had been dropped in the coaches poll to 2. We blew out Arkie and the Sugar Bowl started at noon so we went to a watering hole to watch this. Bama fans were going nuts for SC during this game. Didn't want to split another national title like in 78, Charles White was our hero that day. We knew Oklahoma was gonna beat FSU so after this game we knew we had the unanimous number one spot.

[@allengreene9954]

0:07: SWAT Theme👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@dsgp7835]

Art played thirty years to soon. He would of loved the the zone read. Run pass option football would been right in his strength. He was a treat to watch play.

[@jsbc1988]

We muted the volume of this game instead of listening to OJ cheering on his USC team. Enberg and Olson were great but listed to the OSU radio instead

[@allengreene9954]

Couldn’t mute Charles White though......

[@DIMP11]

Ironic that USC's quintessential Californian QB ( from Covina) Paul MacDonald would end up playing in Ohio along with teammate Charles White as a pro with the Cleveland Browns.

[@Playsinvain]

Joey browner out there as a freshman..Marques Allen fullback, Raymond butler, Ronnie Lott

[@harrysurtees8710]

Yeah, some pretty heavy-weight players on that field.

[@RELopez-mk4ic]

USC should have been National Chanpions in 78 and 79...not Alabama!

[@Jiltedin2007]

R.E. Lopez 1978? YES! Because they defeated Alabama earlier that year in Tuscaloosa. 1979? They could’ve had it had they have not Tied Stanford earlier that year at the Coliseum. Perhaps had Arkansas defeated Alabama earlier that day at the Sugar Bowl, the Trojans would’ve had a chance in 1979. But since Alabama won, they were voted National Champions, Undisputed.

[@melbea03]

They were the best team in the nation

[@edwardaguilar6322]

I ran into a BAMA Fan years later and brought that up ,S.C Had the talent ,BUDDE,SMITH,LOTT WHITE Dennis Johnson,Joey browner,Marcus allen, and Anthony Munoz,and the first cheetah ( Kevin Williams) grew up down the street from SAN FERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL ,They played top level high schools with JOHN ELWAY ,THE VALLEY WAS ROCKING WITH TALENT BACK THEN OH YEA WE GREW UP A GUY THAT SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE RECOGNITION THAT BRUCE( never fought no one ) LEE ,HIS NAME BENNY THE JET URQUIDEZ LOOK HIM UP ,cover of 30 karate magazines back then fought many and all ,just look at the people ( fighters) who praised him back then,CHARLES WHITE KENNY MOORE ,KEVIN WILLIAMS MILLION DOLLAR BACKFIELD #1 high school in the nation back then,LOVED THEM TIGERS

[@RELopez-mk4ic]

@@edwardaguilar6322 Yeah, I watched Benny the Jet fight many times. He is a legend!

[@debbiehenson1096]

WRONG!

[@ynp1978]

The play of the game....in a way...comes at about 1 hour 25 minutes in when just before half Charles White breaks free on a big run but Todd Bell stripped the ball out on the tackle and OSU recovered. Had that not happened USC would most likely scored again to go up 17-3 at half. Instead OSU hits the big bomb and ties the score at 10-10. As Merlin Olson said....really a 14 point swing when you look at it.

[@rodneyemery2239]

Forever missed Charles White. Fight On No.12!

[@Loydstardeli2017]

❤charlie white super great usc running back my hero

[@ColleyatFlak]

To go from 1968 to 2002 without a NC, you had to lose a lot of heartbreakers that cost you a chance at a NC. This was one of them.

[@Jiltedin2007]

William Smith Weren’t you guys(Ohio State) #1 in the Country In 1974 before going to the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day when These Same USC Trojans defeated you 18-17 on a Touchdown plus 2 Point Conversation?

[@thedivomeister6308]

Ain’t it a bitch. Let’s see. OSU got beat by MICHIGAN with a possible National Championship on the line: 1980, 93, 95, 96, 97, 2003. MICH STATE 98, 2013, 2015. OSU and Alabama have been the dominant teams in the last 13 years. Much Respect

[@tonyiacomi4822]

@@thedivomeister6308 Well, that's a bit of a stretch. The '93 team wasn't going to win the NC. They were ranked #5 going into the Michigan game. The 1997 team was not favored to win that game. While technically it was on the line, Michigan was #2. We were #4.

[@thedivomeister6308]

Tony Iacomi true

[@statrat5474]

The worst was the loss to UCLA in the 1976 Rose Bowl. Going into the game as consensus #1 and playing a team we had smoked earlier in the year (in LA).

[@eriksmith2514]

O.J. was a good commentator. You have to hand it to him.

[@stevedeace1447]

He was a good double murderer too!!

[@allengreene9954]

@@stevedeace1447 He was innocent. The cartel killed Nicole and Ron Goldman.

[@michaelleslie6992]

@@stevedeace1447 show me the conviction

[@Kaddywompous]

There are seriously still people who think he was innocent?

[@harrysurtees8710]

How about Charles White and Marcus Allen on the same team.

[@harrysurtees8710]

Unbelievable running back duo. Both hero's in my book. In fact, anyone who played for USC is a hero.

[@Loydstardeli2017]

Original Dynamic duo of college football😊

[@davidheckman4188]

This should have been the national championship

[@theicchamp06]

R.I.P. Dick Enberg & Merlin Olsen

[@Loydstardeli2017]

Even my hero o.j.simpson is gone very sad, never get over it

[@Jiltedin2007]

Even though the USC Trojans won this Rose Bowl, it wasn’t enough as Alabama was voted Undisputed National Champion solely because the tie the Trojans had with Stanford earlier in the Season at the Coliseum when they were at one point up 21-0, but ended the game with a 21-21 Tie. Had they’ve beaten Stanford, it would’ve been A Different Story.

[@redicebluefire2552]

USC beat Alabama in Alabama and won the national championship the year before and practically all their key players returned for the 79 season, so they certainly would have beaten Alabama again had they played for the national Championship in '79, but as usual in those days there was almost always favoritism towards Eastern teams over Western teams by the voting press. A perfect example of this is that previous year. USC beat Alabama on there own turf and were given the national title by the coaches pole over Alabama at the end of the season and rightly so, but the press gave the national title to Alabama. Now who do you think is going to be a better judge of what teams are the better teams and with less bias, the press, or the coaches themselves who are actually in the thick of it?

[@redicebluefire2552]

@@tristanmullen8015 Number 1 vs 2 rankings are meaningless without playoffs...they are just that, rankings and little more. If I had a dollar for every #1 vs #2 game that ended up with #2 or less beating the hell out of #1 I could buy myself a nice dinner at the Riz with that. The reason why they laid that egg at Arizona State as you put it was only because their center and back up center were both injured during that game and had to go with untested third string backups who kept fumbling the ball away. Obviously that is extremely unusual bad luck that I've never seen repeated in any game by any team in all the years I watched collage football. That could have happened to anyone, and should have been considered, but wasn't. All they see are the statistics and record. USC beat Alabama and lost to a much weaker team because of some very unusual fluke multiple minor injuries at a key position in one game, that is not equal to Alabama's loss to USC with no unusual bad luck, therefore they are not equal and don't deserved to be ranked equally. USC would have certainly beaten Alabama again.

[@Jiltedin2007]

@@redicebluefire2552 Going into this game, in the Coaches Poll, Ohio State was Number 1, Alabama Number 2 and USC Number 3. That’s why Alabama was the Undisputed National Champions in 1979 with The Crimson Tide Number 1 in the AP Poll. The only way USC could’ve been National Champions in 1979 is if Arkansas would have beaten Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, which did not happen since The Crimson Tide did take command of the Sugar Bowl up 17-3 at Halftime and never looked back.

[@luisvaldes1568]

At 38:14 Budde puts a killer block on a biltzing Ohio St. player.

[@Playsinvain]

2:13:00 I have never seen that call before... turnover due to offensive penalty in the opponents endzone

[@harrysurtees8710]

Yes, it use to be a rule, an offensive player cannot push a teammate forward. It is very seldom called. I didn't know if it happened in the endzone the defense got the ball on the twenty-yard line? I say seldom called, like when Reggie Bush pushed Matt Leinart into the endzone during a Norte Dame game. Hence the "Reggin Push" nickname. That rule has been changed recently in both college and the pro's I believe.

[@lloydkline1518]

Woody Hayes last great football team he build at Ohio state football

[@harrysurtees8710]

I was watching the game when he hit the player who was running with the ball on the sideline, on the other team. You have to admire his passion for the game. I liked him and felt sorry for him. He let his emotions get the best of him.

[@kidmack3556]

​@Harry Surtees I did too. The player was Charlie Bauman

[@chrisuncleahmad789]

If Ohio State won this game, would they have split with Alabama?

[@armysaber]

I would think so. Had Art pitched the ball to Cal Murray instead of trying to carry it in himself at the goal line Cal would still be running.

[@Jiltedin2007]

Chuck Phillips Let me ask you: Had Arkansas defeated Alabama at the Sugar Bowl, could USC been National Champions?

[@solrosenberg3803]

According to what the end zone says, they are the ohio buckeyes.

[@harrysurtees8710]

@@solrosenberg3803 To me they are "The Ohio State Buckeyes".

[@Jiltedin2007]

Before New Year’s Day, even though Alabama held The Top Spot in the AP Poll, the Ohio State Buckeyes was Number 1 in The Coaches Poll. After Alabama won over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, Ohio State could’ve Split The 1979 National Chsmpionship had they won this Rose Bowl. Had the USC Trojans held on At Home against Stanford(Tied at 21-21), The Trojans could’ve been Undisputed National Champions for 1979, being The Preseason Top Ranked Team.

[@solrosenberg3803]

They are the ohio buckeyes. Look what the end zone says.

[@gregoryklein3311]

With 1:32 left O U PLAY calling was terrible. Should have tried a screen play.

[@harrysurtees8710]

Back in those days, the midwest teams were running teams first, and passing second. So whenever they got behind and tried to catch up by passing, they failed.

[@williamdunphy352]

Commentators: Dick Enberg, Merlin Olsen & O.J. Simpson.

[@tommyparkerparker]

Dick and Merlin's first of 9 that they called.

[@harrysurtees8710]

Merlin Olsen was a favorite of mine. As I go back and watch Merlin Olsen play, I can't ever remember a running back gaining any yards when he tried to run past Merlin, he was that good.

[@Jiltedin2007]

Maybe had Arkansas pulled the upset over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, USC would’ve been National Champions in 1979.

[@crawford371]

RIP Dick Enberg RIP Merlin Olsen RIP O.J. Simpson

[@solrosenberg3803]

Lol the end zone says OHIO, yet they complain when they are referred to as the ohio buckeyes (even though their band spells outs ohio, their fans spell out ohio, even their stadium is called ohio stadium). They are officially THE ohio buckeyes, by default.

[@armysaber]

It's a religion here. People are whack jobs when it comes to football. it's just a game...except in Columbus, Ohio.

[@kurtheinemeyer5146]

The use of "THE" started because of a legal battle with Ohio University in the 1990's over the use of 'Ohio'. Ohio University trademarked "Ohio" in 1995. I think for a time, 'THE" was used because of the case as to not violate the trademark. Once the case was settled, the use of "THE" was a slight against Ohio University, and has just grown from there.

[@danielmcd1]

Charles White and Marcus Allen blocking for him. I was there to see our victory. Heisman trophy winners!

[@harrysurtees8710]

I hear you. Two great football players on the same field, on the same team, and both Trojans. How cool is that? I think Ronnie Lott and A few others, I forget who, but surely parts of a dream team.

[@paulsonj72]

Marcus Allen was the best blocker among the running backs and even though he wasn’t a typical sized fullback was the reason Allen was the fullback in the 1979 season

[@TheRealClassPresident]

what month did this aire?

[@solrosenberg3803]

The Rose Bowl is always played on January 1, unless its a playoff game. I understand they don't have football in your country of Mexico, but that's the way the Rose Bowl works here.

[@harrysurtees8710]

Not the right answer. I don't know for sure, but the Rose Bowl is most always played on New Year's Day, so my guess would be sometime late in December or early in January as interest in the Rose Bowl game builds.

[@fredmertes7077]

OJ doing the color commentary....

[@cumulus1234]

Those holes opened up by Anthony Munoz

[@RandallDenison]

Bama actually won three in a row 77, 78, 79.

[@Loydstardeli2017]

Nick saban jealous of bear bryant

[@Sammytwo4]

I don't know how many times USC had the best team on the planet, but would tie or lose a fluke. Both those teams would have beaten Bama that year but what do I know.??!! Do you realize how many guys played in the NFL from that team??!!

[@debbiehenson1096]

This game was for 2nd place. Bama destroyed Arkansas for back to back titles.

[@eugenemcgirt2357]

USC had a legitimate case for the national championship the prior year cause they defeated Alabama handily, in Alabama.

[@debbiehenson1096]

@@eugenemcgirt2357 24-14 is not "handily". They also got handily thumped by Aizona St. ONLY the Alabama, Bear Bryant bias let usc sneak in through the back door in 78.

[@tyronehill6856]

I remember this game a little hung. Over and upset that the seventies were over, because i new the1980s were gonna suck, and it they did.

[@martinspencer5283]

Judging by the typing skills and sentence structure on display in your comment, I would guess that you're still drunk.

[@polarbear353]

Agreed!!!

[@stephaniedoan7114]

Come on rush the field

[@debbiehenson1096]

Schlichter made some bad plays in this game? 🤔

[@eugenemcgirt2357]

Seems like the Big 10 QB's struggled mightily in the Rose Bowl during that period. Rick Leach of Michigan also played horribly in the Rose Bowls.

[@debbiehenson1096]

John Robinson had 2 plays, sweep left and sweep right.

[@daviddavenport1485]

OJ Simpson...I wonder what happened to that guy?

[@TheDondajonhon46]

😂 I know, he was one if the greatest running backs of all-time.

[@stevedeace1447]

He was known for slashing on and off the field!!

[@meanmeesterjoneszzz8161]

@@stevedeace1447 yes....he loved to "slash and gash" his opponents!!

[@lincolnmaceachern2410]

@@stevedeace1447 Watch "Norm MacDonald constantly shitting on OJ Simpson" ( 2 videos ). Led to his getting fired by SNL, but it's SO funny.

[@jakubwidlarz]

He plays a lot of Golf in his retirement.

[@RandallDenison]

This win was for nothing. Bama back to back titles 78& 79.