Former UCLA quarterback Tommy Maddox likes win, remembers loss

Former UCLA quarterback Tommy Maddox remembers his one victory over USC. Yet, he has total recall on his one loss.

Maddox threw for 212 yards in guiding the Bruins to a 24-21 victory over the Trojans in 1991. It started UCLA’s eight-game winning streak in the rivalry.

“The one I won was a lot more enjoyable,” Maddox said. “But as I get older, as time passes, people talk more about the game the year before.”

Maddox had a gunslinger moment with USC quarterback Todd Marinovich in 1990. Maddox threw for 409 yards, a UCLA single-game record that stood until Cade McNown threw for 513 against Miami in 1998. Marinovich threw for 215, but his last pass was a 23-yard touchdown to Johnnie Morton with 16 seconds left in the USC 45-42 victory.

“Even though it hurts to lose, and it was tough to get over, it is still special to look back,” Maddox said. “A lot of people have asked me about that game.”

What Maddox remembers most was his last effort.

“After they scored the touchdown, we had 16 seconds,” Maddox said. “I missed [receiver] Scott Miller on a deep crossing route. It still drives me crazy. I think if I had completed that pass we would have been able to kick a field goal and tie the score.”

Maddox often gets to recount the days.

“So many people want to talk about that game,” Maddox said.

His coach that day, Terry Donahue, knows why.

“It’s more of a historical moment because SC never let it die because they won,” Donahue said. “We want to forget that one and talk about the second one, the one Tommy won.”