UCLA USC THE RIVALRY

It’s college football rivalry Saturday and there are plenty of places to watch all the big games, whether you’re an Oregon State alumnus or a loyal Bruin.

If you’re in Pasadena but without a ticket to the game at the Rose Bowl, you can watch the games at these popular hangouts:

Crown City Brewery--Serving more than 100 kinds of beer from around the world. (626) 577-5548.

Monty’s Steakhouse--Great steak restaurant and bar. (626) 792-7776.

Domenico’s--Mostly a UCLA crowd in this Old Town Pasadena restaurant famous for its Italian food. And you won’t miss a single game surrounded by 28 TVs and three big screens. (626) 449-1948.

Delacy’s Club 41--Eat, then walk a block north, where a free shuttle bus service will take you to and from the Rose Bowl. Or stay and watch the game while dining at this New York-style steak house. (626) 795-4141.

If you want to watch a cross-town rivalry of top-ranked teams, head down to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, where the No. 1-ranked Bruin and No. 2 Trojan men’s water polo teams will play at noon.

MEMORABLE GAME

Nov. 20 1999 (USC 17, UCLA 7)--After an eight-year losing streak, the Trojans returned to the win column against the Bruins. Quarterback John Fox threw two touchdown passes to Kareem Kelly and tailback Chad Morton rushed for 143 yards to give the Trojans their first victory over UCLA since 1990 and their first win over UCLA at the Coliseum since 1987.

USC scored on the first possession when kicker David Newbury connected on a 22-yard field goal. But the Bruins took the lead on their first drive in the second quarter when quarterback Ryan McCann, making his first start, scored on a six-yard run.

However, the Trojans scored two plays after the kickoff, thanks to a 48-yard run by Sultan McCullough and a 22-yard touchdown pass from Fox to Kelly.

Morton had taken a lot of heat before the game because he predicted a USC victory. But he helped the Trojans control the ball and kept the UCLA offense off the field.

It wasn’t the best game in the rivalry, but after eight long years, it’s a victory the Trojans won’t soon forget.

ALUMNI

JERRY BUSS

USC, Doctorate

Class of ’57

Laker owner

“I’ve missed only one or two games since 1953 and I have USC season tickets. The thing that’s so exiting about the game is it gives each school two football seasons--one where we play all the other schools and one where we play each other. [The loser] of the game just ends up with a bad season.”

DAVID NORRIE

UCLA quarterback

Class of ’85

ABC college football analyst

“I came to UCLA [in 1981] from Portland, Oregon, and in my first year all they talked about was the rivalry. But I couldn’t really grasp it. My reaction was, ‘Yeah, OK, sure.’ Fast-forward to the [USC-UCLA] game, Norm Johnson lines up for a field goal and if he makes it we go to the Rose Bowl. But George Achica comes bursting through and blocks the kick and USC wins [22-21]. I had stood on the sideline envisioning myself getting fitted for a Rose Bowl ring, and then came the USC celebration. At that point I knew what the rivalry was all about. Usually it just takes one experience. I went on to play in three Rose Bowl games while at UCLA, but I always remember that game.”

NOW YOU KNOW

When was the last time the Trojans and Bruins were both ranked when playing each other? It was 1993, when the No. 16 Bruins beat the No. 22 Trojans, 27-21.