1933: USC, 35 vs. Pittsburgh, 0

In the 1930 Rose Bowl Game, in which USC upset Pittsburgh, 47-14, for the most lopsided victory in Rose Bowl history, the Trojans were heavy underdogs. In 1933, USC put to rest any thought that that win was a fluke.

As the Trojans walloped the Panthers, 35-0, in 1933, they also gave the record books a sound thrashing – it became the most lopsided win in Rose Bowl history; they became the first team in Rose Bowl history to win four games (4-0 at that point); they extended their unbeaten streak to 20 and closed out the first undefeated, untied season in school history.
Essentially, Troy was here to stay.

The game was actually much closer than the score made it seem, as Pittsburgh coach “Jock” Sutherland accounted afterward:
“The score of today’s game, while I do not believe it was a true indication of the relative strength of the two teams, proved not only that (USC coach) Howard Jones has a true national championship eleven, but that the difference in football by geographical sectors lies not in systems but in the manpower at the disposal of the various coaches. Southern California had entirely too much for us.”

With the score 7-0 in favor of USC at halftime, the game looked even. Then, in the third quarter, USC standout back Homer Griffith intercepted the ball and returned it to the Pitt 32-yard line. The Trojans looked like they were going to score, but the Pitt defense held strong, turning the ball over on downs and regaining possession on its own 11-yard line.
However, on the next play, Pitt’s Mike Sebastian fumbled, and it was recovered by USC at Pitt’s 7-yard line. The Pitt defense again held strong to force a fourth-and-one situation, but a forward pass, caught by Griffith, made it 14-0 after a successful PAT.

“It is my opinion that two breaks in the third quarter were responsible for the high score, the game being virtually even up to that time,” Sutherland said, referring to Griffith’s interception and Pitt’s fumble.

Then, a 66-yard touchdown drive, a fumble and a blocked kick later, USC found itself up 35-0 over the visiting Panthers, who never relented, battling until the end.
“…although routed, the Pittsburghers fought back savagely to the last,” the Associated Press’s Brian Bell wrote. “In scoring their last touchdown, the winners had to shoot three plays at Pitt from the 2-yard line before they could get the ball over.”

USC back Cotton Warburton also had an outstanding game, complementing Griffith’s performance. Warburton led both sides with 76 yards on 18 carries, and his two fourth-quarter touchdowns securely put the game out of reach.

Attendance
85,000

Weather
69 degrees

Scoring
First Quarter
USC – Palmer, 33-yard pass from Griffith (Smith kick good)

Third Quarter
USC – Griffith, 1-yard pass from Bright (Smith kick good)

Fourth Quarter
USC – Warburton, 1-yard run (Smith kick good)
USC – Warburton, 11-yard run (Smith kick good)
USC – Barber, 2-yard run (Lady kick good)

Coaches
USC: Howard Jones
Pittsburgh: John “Jock” Sutherland

Fun Fact
The 35-point margin of defeat was the worst in Pittsburgh’s school history up to that point.

Individual Stats
Rushing
USC: Warburton 18-76; Griffith 22-56; Clark 17-42; Sparling 6-56
Pitt: Heller 13-49; Sebastian 9-28; Weisenbaugh 2-32