Almost four years ago I was admitted to USC and attended its Admitted Student Reception.
Attendees toured campus, met current students, interacted with faculty and if they were so inclined, committed themselves to the University of Southern California by way of ringing the then-red Victory Bell while posing for a picture with Tommy Trojan.
As I rode the escalator in the USC bookstore (read: shopping mall), two soon-to-be Trojans I had just seen ringing the Victory Bell asked if I was going to be a classmate of theirs. Almost out of instinct to avoid the obligatory football jokes, I told them that I was between schools – particularly USC and another school not named UCLA. Seeing as this column is now running in the Daily Bruin, that was entirely a lie.
Since I could remember, that bell has been a mainstay on USC’s campus, and the Trojans’ dominance was undeniable. The last time the Bruins won at the Coliseum I was five years old. It was embedded in my conscious, that for most of those my age, it was an embarrassment to be a UCLA fan.
Two years ago, a USC victory went down in Los Angeles folklore as UCLA was shut out offensively and a relegated to a welcome doormat defensively.
UCLA players, let alone fans, don’t like talking about the memory.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Devin Lucien didn’t see the field that game but one particular image is seared into his mind.
“I remember (athletic director) Dan Guerrero coming down (after the game) … when … yeah,” he said, trailing off, trying to change the conversation.
There was no need to finish his statement – we all remember. That game was the exclamation point on a run-on sentence of USC supremacy that only Charles Dickens himself could have written.
Fast forward just two years and the Bruins just racked up a 21-point victory over the Trojans – their second in a row. While this victory meant nothing in the context of this season, Coach Jim Mora was quick to agree that it was the biggest of his two seasons.
In the grand scheme of things, the repercussions of this win extend beyond inching closer toward a 10-win season.
“You win two in a row in this town, things start to change,” Mora said. “That’s going to help us in recruiting. If I’m a high school player, I want to play at UCLA right now.”
Like me, most high school recruits have grown up with USC being the premier football institute on the West Coast and even the nation, let alone Los Angeles. To win the Victory Bell last season, and now defend it, changes the mindset of those so accustomed to seeing this town painted in red.
Redshirt senior wide receiver Shaquelle Evans grew up in Inglewood and is beginning to see a shifting city.
“Just growing up and watching USC dominate – I might not be able to win three or four in a row because I’m a senior, but to be part of the class that kind of started by winning two in a row and keeping the tradition going – it’s great to know you’re part of history like that.”
But as Evans said, the tradition is just beginning. It’ll take a lot more than just a couple wins to break up this era of USC hegemony. And while redshirt sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley calls for a city takeover, this is more of a resistance.
But big things always start small – just ask the “little boys” who emerged from the Coliseum with the huge win.
And for another year, UCLA can exclaim that it runs this town. But Hundley indicates some things might be here to stay.
“You can wear UCLA stuff around town and people will look at you differently.”
Good column. Keep up the good work.
UCLA, 1985