LOS ANGELES – No matter what past USC teams lacked, the Trojans often made up for their shortcomings with their ability to knock the other team around.
In 1982, the Trojans no longer featured star tailback Marcus Allen and were not especially gifted at quarterback as Sean Salisbury and Scott Tinsley each played. But that did not stop USC from going to Oklahoma and winning ugly, 12-0, by simply manhandling the Sooners.
“Anybody who came into the stadium today thinking Southern Cal couldn’t win this game is an idiot!” Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer said. “They did what I was very concerned about, their defense being able to physically handle our offense.