What Is 1917 USC Trojans football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1917 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the 1917 college football season, finishing with a 5–1–1 record under head coach Dean Cromwell, who also served as the school's track and field coach.

Key Facts

The 1917 USC Trojans football team had a final record of 5 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie (5–1–1)
Dean Cromwell was the head coach for the 1917 season and also coached track and field at USC
The team played as an independent with no conference affiliation
USC’s 1917 season included a 13–0 victory over Occidental College
The team’s only loss was a 14–3 defeat to the powerful Oregon Agricultural College

Overview

The 1917 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the 1917 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Dean Cromwell, who was primarily known for his track and field expertise but also guided the football program during a transitional era.

That season, USC compiled a solid 5–1–1 record, showcasing early signs of the competitive tradition that would later define the program. While not yet a national powerhouse, the 1917 team played a schedule dominated by regional opponents and military or college teams common in that era.

Record: The team finished with a 5–1–1 overall record, winning five games, losing one, and tying another, reflecting a strong regional performance.
Head Coach:Dean Cromwell, better known as a legendary track coach, served as football head coach from 1916 to 1917, compiling a two-year record of 9–3–1.
Season Opener: USC began the season with a 13–0 win over Occidental College, setting a tone of defensive strength and disciplined play.
Key Loss: The Trojans suffered a 14–3 defeat to Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State), a team that finished 5–1–1 and was considered one of the stronger squads on the West Coast.
Final Game: The season concluded with a scoreless tie against the U.S. Navy team from San Diego, highlighting the challenges posed by military squads during World War I.

How It Works

The 1917 USC football season operated under early 20th-century college football rules and scheduling norms, with no formal conference alignment and limited national structure.

Independent Status:USC had no conference affiliation in 1917, allowing flexible scheduling against regional colleges, military teams, and emerging West Coast programs.
Coaching Structure:Dean Cromwell balanced football and track duties, a common practice at the time when multi-sport coaching was standard at smaller programs.
Game Rules: The game in 1917 used 60-minute playing time with minimal substitutions, and the forward pass was still evolving in strategic importance.
Player Roles: Most athletes were two-way players, playing both offense and defense, with limited specialization compared to modern eras.
Scheduling: Teams arranged games independently; USC faced regional opponents like Whittier, Occidental, and Pomona, reflecting localized competition.
War Impact:World War I influenced college sports, with military teams like the San Diego Navy squad participating, and some players enlisting after the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1917 USC Trojans to other contemporary teams illustrates their standing in early West Coast football.

Team	Record	Coach	Key Opponent	Notable Fact
1917 USC Trojans	5–1–1	Dean Cromwell	Oregon Agricultural	Played without conference affiliation
Oregon Agricultural	5–1–1	William Reinhart	USC	Defeated USC 14–3 in November
Georgia Tech	9–0	John Heisman	University of Pennsylvania	Claimed national championship
California Golden Bears	5–0–1	Andy Smith	Washington	Undefeated, dominant defense
Notre Dame	3–1–1	Knute Rockne (assistant)	Michigan	Early years of Rockne’s influence

The table highlights how USC’s 5–1–1 record compared favorably with regional peers like Oregon Agricultural and California, though it fell short of national powers like Georgia Tech. The lack of a formal playoff or ranking system meant reputation and regional strength were key measures of success. USC’s tie with California in 1916 and competitive losses indicated growing respect on the West Coast, setting the stage for future conference development.

Why It Matters

The 1917 season represents an early chapter in USC’s storied football history, illustrating the program’s evolution from a regional independent to a national powerhouse.

Foundation for Growth: The 1917 team helped establish competitive credibility for USC football before joining the Pacific Coast Conference in 1922.
Coaching Legacy:Dean Cromwell’s dual role exemplifies the era’s multi-sport coaching norms and USC’s early athletic integration.
Historical Context: The season occurred during World War I, affecting player availability and the presence of military teams in schedules.
Rule Evolution: 1917 gameplay reflected transitional rules, including limited substitutions and emerging passing strategies.
Regional Rivalries: Games against Occidental and Whittier helped build early Southern California football culture.
Path to Prominence: This era preceded Howard Jones’ transformative 1925 hiring, which would elevate USC to national prominence.

While overshadowed by later dynasties, the 1917 USC Trojans laid groundwork through consistent performance and regional engagement, marking a step toward the program’s future excellence.