What Is 1985 USC Trojans football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1985 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7–5 record under head coach Ted Tollner and playing in the Pac-10 Conference.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 7–5 overall record
Competed in the Pac-10 Conference
Coached by Ted Tollner in his second season
Lost the 1985 Aloha Bowl to LSU, 27–20
Quarterback Todd Marinovich was a key freshman recruit

Overview

The 1985 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by head coach Ted Tollner in his second year, the team competed in the Pac-10 Conference and played its home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The season was marked by inconsistent performances and a transition period following the departure of legendary coach John Robinson. Despite high expectations due to USC's storied football tradition, the 1985 team struggled to maintain national prominence, finishing with a modest record and a bowl loss.

Record: The team finished with a 7–5 overall record, including a 5–3 mark in Pac-10 conference play, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
Head Coach: Ted Tollner served as head coach, compiling a 14–12 record over his three seasons, with 1985 marking his second year at the helm.
Key Players: Quarterback Paul McDonald transferred out, leaving a leadership void; freshman sensation Todd Marinovich drew attention as a highly-touted recruit later named starter.
Bowl Game: The Trojans qualified for the 1985 Aloha Bowl in Honolulu, where they lost 27–20 to the LSU Tigers on December 25, 1985.
Offensive Output: The team averaged 23.6 points per game, ranking 47th nationally, while allowing 22.8 points per game on defense.

How It Works

The 1985 season reflected USC's attempt to rebuild its football program after the end of John Robinson’s first tenure. With new leadership and a mix of returning players and young talent, the Trojans aimed to reestablish themselves as a national contender.

Recruiting Strategy: USC focused on high-profile recruits like Todd Marinovich, a prep phenom known for his rigorous training regimen, to revitalize the quarterback position.
Offensive System: The team ran a pro-style offense emphasizing balanced play-calling, with 186.4 passing yards per game and 137.2 rushing yards per game.
Defensive Alignment: The defense primarily used a 4–3 scheme, led by linebacker David Bass, who recorded 98 tackles during the season.
Conference Play: The Pac-10 schedule included tough matchups against rivals UCLA and Washington, with USC winning three of their five road games.
Bowl Eligibility: The team became bowl-eligible by winning at least six games, ultimately accepting an invitation to the Aloha Bowl, one of 19 bowl games that year.
Coaching Transition: Tollner’s leadership emphasized discipline and development, but the team lacked the consistency needed to compete for a conference title.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1985 USC Trojans to other teams in the Pac-10 and national landscape reveals their mid-tier standing that season.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Final AP Rank
USC Trojans	7–5	5–3	Lost Aloha Bowl 27–20	Unranked
UCLA	9–3	6–2	Won Aloha Bowl 20–19	15
Washington	6–5	4–4	Lost Independence Bowl	Unranked
Oregon State	4–7	2–6	No bowl	—
Notre Dame (National)	8–4	—	Won Fiesta Bowl	13

The table highlights that while USC finished behind crosstown rival UCLA in both record and final ranking, they outperformed several conference peers. However, their unranked status and bowl loss underscored a lack of national impact. The season reflected a transitional phase rather than a return to dominance.

Why It Matters

The 1985 season is significant as a transitional chapter in USC football history, illustrating the challenges of sustaining elite performance after a coaching change. It set the stage for future rebuilding efforts and highlighted the importance of quarterback development.

Program Legacy: USC has won 11 national championships, and even middling seasons like 1985 are scrutinized within the context of that legacy.
Recruiting Impact: Todd Marinovich’s enrollment signaled a new era, though his career would later be marred by personal struggles.
Conference Competitiveness: The Pac-10 was highly competitive, with four teams finishing ranked in the final AP Poll.
Bowl Game Evolution: The Aloha Bowl was one of several emerging bowl games expanding postseason opportunities in the 1980s.
Coaching Evaluation: Tollner’s tenure was ultimately deemed underwhelming, leading to his dismissal after the 1986 season.
Historical Benchmark: The 1985 season serves as a reference point for analyzing USC’s long-term program fluctuations.

While not a standout year, the 1985 USC Trojans season contributes to the broader narrative of college football’s evolving landscape and the pressures of maintaining excellence at a historic program.