What Is 1957 USC Trojans football team

Overview

The 1957 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 1957 NCAA University Division football season. Competing in the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC), the team was led by first-year head coach Don Clark, following the resignation of Jess Hill after the 1956 season.

This season marked a transitional period for the program, as USC adjusted to new leadership and a younger roster. Despite a modest 6–4 overall record, the team showed flashes of potential, particularly on offense, while playing in front of large crowds at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

• Record: The Trojans finished the season with a 6–4 overall record, including a 4–3 mark in conference play, placing them in the middle of the PCC standings.
• Head Coach: Don Clark took over as head coach in 1957, making it his first season at the helm after serving as an assistant under Jess Hill.
• Home Stadium: All home games were played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a historic venue with a seating capacity exceeding 100,000 at the time.
• Scoring: USC scored a total of 180 points across 10 games, averaging 18.0 points per game, while allowing 138 points (13.8 per game).
• Key Player: Quarterback Mike Mergen started most games and led the team in passing, helping stabilize the offense during a rebuilding year.

Season Performance

The 1957 campaign was defined by inconsistency, as USC alternated wins and losses throughout the season. The team opened with a victory over Stanford but suffered mid-season setbacks against rivals like UCLA and California.

• Early Season: The Trojans began 2–0 with wins over Stanford and Pacific, showing promise under new coach Don Clark.
• Mid-Season Struggles: USC lost three of four games in October, including a 13–0 shutout loss to California, highlighting offensive shortcomings.
• Defensive Strength: The defense held five opponents to 10 points or fewer, indicating a solid foundation despite the team's overall record.
• Key Victory: A 20–14 win over crosstown rival UCLA in November was a highlight, drawing over 90,000 fans to the Coliseum.
• Season Finale: The year ended with a 21–13 loss to Notre Dame, finishing with a losing record in non-conference matchups.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1957 season to surrounding years reveals its role as a transitional phase for the program:

The 1957 season laid the groundwork for future improvement, as Don Clark continued to develop talent. By 1959, USC would rebound strongly with an 8–2 record, demonstrating that the 1957 team was part of a longer rebuilding arc.

Why It Matters

Though not a standout season in USC football history, the 1957 campaign was significant as a turning point in leadership and team development. It marked the beginning of Don Clark’s tenure, which would eventually lead to better results in subsequent years.

• Coaching Transition: The shift from Jess Hill to Don Clark represented a major change in program direction and philosophy.
• Player Development: Young players gained experience in 1957, forming the core of USC’s improved 1959 team.
• Stadium Legacy: Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum continued to draw massive crowds, reinforcing USC’s football prominence.
• Conference Context: The PCC was highly competitive, and USC’s .500+ record kept them relevant despite no bowl appearance.
• Historical Benchmark: The season serves as a reference point for analyzing USC’s mid-century football evolution.
• Recruiting Impact: Performance in 1957 influenced recruiting momentum, with future stars observing the team’s trajectory.

The 1957 USC Trojans may not have achieved national acclaim, but their season was a necessary step in the program’s long-term success, setting the stage for a resurgence by the end of the decade.