The 1959 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1959 college football season. In their third year under head coach Don Clark, the Trojans compiled an 8–2 record (3–1 against conference opponents), finished in a tie for the Athletic Association of Western Universities championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 195 to 90. Total attendance for all 10 games was 453,865.1960 "El Rodeo" (USC yearbook), page 300.
Ben Charles led the team in passing with 20 of 46 passes completed for 843 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Jerry Traynham led the team in rushing with 123 carries for 583 yards and two touchdowns. Luther Hayes was the leading receiver with nine catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
This was the first season for the five-team AAWU, following the dissolution of the Pacific Coast Conference in the spring. It comprised the four teams from state of California and Washington in Seattle. The other four teams from the north (Oregon, Oregon State, Washington State, and Idaho) were independent for several seasons.
Schedule
Personnel Coaching staff Head coach: Don Clark Assistant coaches: Ray George, Al Davis, Mel Hein, Marv Goux, Jim Sears, John McKay Manager: Bob Lambeth
Players Al Bansavage, guard, 6'2", 220 pounds, Union City, California Mike Bundra, tackle, 6'2", 232 pounds, Catasaugua, Pennsylvania Ben Charles, quarterback Angelo Coia, halfback, 6'2", 195 pounds, Philadelphia Jim Conroy, fullback, 6'0", 197 pounds, Baldwin Park, California Dan Ficca, tackle, 6'1", 230 pounds, Atlas, Pennsylvania Garry Finneran, tackle, 6'2", 219 pounds, Cathedral Lynn Gaskill, halfback, 6'0", 175 pounds, Banning, California Luther Hayes, end, 6'4", 198 pounds, San Diego, California Clark Holden, fullback, 5'10", 195 pounds, Marshall, California Bob Levingston, halfback, 6'0", 185 pounds, Los Angeles Marv Marinovich, tackle, 6'3", 220 pounds, Watsonville, California Marlin McKeever, end, 6'1", 215 pounds, Mt. Carmel, California Mike McKeever, 6'1", 215 pounds, guard, Mt. Carmel, California Roger Mietz, guard, 5'10", 206 pounds, San Leandro, California Ron Mix, tackle, 6'3", 215, Hawthorne, California Dave Morgan, center, 6'4", 204 pounds, Natick, Massachusetts Al Prukop, quarterback, 6'1", 181 pounds, Mt. Carmel (led the team with 405 minutes played) Jerry Traynham, halfback, 5'10", 180 pounds, Woodland, California Jack Treier, center, 6'3", 208 pounds, Lancaster, Pennsylvania George Van Vliet, 6'2", 195 pounds, end, Whittier, California Glenn Wilder, 6'0", 181 pounds, end, Van Nuys, California Britt Williams, guard, 6'1", 210 pounds, Walnut Creek, California Willie Wood, quarterback, 5'9", 170 pounds, Washington, D.C.
References