USC’s Orange County Fans Began Their Partying Early

Chey Asimus was in a party mood as she and others in the Orange County Trojan Club gathered outside a Tustin restaurant Tuesday morning to board a charter bus for the USC-Ohio State game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

“I never went to SC, but I’ve been a die-hard SC fan since I moved out here in ‘72,” said Asimus, who sported both a USC Trojans cowboy hat and sweatshirt.

“I’m originally from Ohio. I’m a Buckeye!” the Irvine resident added, laughing hilariously.

Asimus hastened to make clear that she had no mixed loyalties at all. “I’m a Buckeye for SC,” she declared, laughing again.

A sense of celebration suffused hordes of University of Southern California boosters from Orange County--a stronghold of the school’s alumni and fans--as they made a virtual pilgrimage north to Pasadena in private cars, chartered buses and recreational vehicles Tuesday to be on hand for the big game and pre-kickoff partying.

Outside the Rose Bowl, a group of a dozen USC alumni and boosters from Laguna Beach and Newport Beach set up a buffet lunch on a table behind two recreational vehicles where more than half of them had spent the night.

Poinsettias and silver candelabras with red candles set the tone for a repast that was no ordinary pre-football-game picnic.

“We have oysters on the half-shell, crab and shrimp. We have mussels, quiche . . . , said Margaret Oriente of Laguna Beach, adding that she and her husband Dan--both USC grads--have taken a camper to the Rose Bowl every year since 1957.

The group planned a leisurely departure from the area after the game--and not just to let the crowd thin out.

“We have more food,” explained Sandy O’Sullivan of Laguna Beach.

Orange County groups were scattered through the recreational vehicle parking areas and picnic grounds outside the Rose Bowl on Tuesday, as sunny skies brought a balmy day perfect for being outdoors.

Members of the Orange County Trojan Club picnicked in a grassy area that, because it was on the Ohio State side of the stadium, was heavily populated by Buckeye fans.

“They said, ‘You’re in our area,’ ” Roger Clark of Brea said with a laugh. “I said, ‘That’s OK, you’re playing in our stadium.’ ”

Just then three young men from Ohio State came by--their bare chests painted red except for white letters, one each, that together said “OSU”--and the two groups engaged in a friendly shouting match over the prognosis for the game.

“You’ll be sorry you came out here to sunny California!” shouted Louise Schirm of Buena Park, after several minutes of contention.

One of the Buckeye fans was quick to dispute her with a comment that ended the argument:

“I’ll tell you,” he declared. “I’ve had a great time the six days I’ve been out here!”

Schirm later predicted that although the three Buckeye boosters would return to Ohio after this trip, they eventually would come back to Southern California to stay.

“Anyhow, to get down to the nitty-gritty, you know who’s going to win,” Schirm added. “I have no doubt. My son is a graduate . . . .”

Her confidence was not misplaced. The Trojans won, 20-17.