Reply #6: 1979 [View All]

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

The Bane of my Rosebowl existence! :)

I watched that game with several friends, most of whom were pulling for USC. We, or at least I, still refer to it as the "mystery touchdown' game. I had a copy of that picture too. It was from the LA Times.
Here is a write up about the game from the Rose Bowl website............


Frustration continues for Bo Schembechler who loses his fifth straight Rose Bowl game, this time with another 10-1 Michigan team that succumbs to John Robinson's 11-1 USC Trojans 17-10. Overthrows by Michigan's Rick Leach lead to two USC interceptions by Ronnie Lott and Dennis Smith and 10 points on a Paul McDonald to Hoby Brenner touchdown pass and a 35-yard Frank Jordan field goal. Michigan scores on a 36-yard Greg Willner field goal and a 44-yard scoring pass from Leach to Roosevelt Smith. The touchdown that gives USC its winning margin is a disputed one by Charles White who is stripped of the ball by Ron Simpkins while attempting to cross the goal line with Michigan's Mark Braman recovering on the one. It is ruled a touchdown even though many observers feel White crossed the goal line but the ball didn't. The victory makes USC's all-time Rose Bowl record 16-6.