Only One Man Could Capture USC’s Victory

This wasn’t a contest, it was a coronation. UCLA should have been given a blindfold and a cigarette before the game.

Traveler covered more ground than Seabiscuit in the Big ‘Cap. The last time we saw a slaughter like this at the Coliseum, it was Lions versus Christians. And the Christians wouldn’t have punted from the 35 down 3-0.

This was the Yankees playing a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns, Joe Louis fighting the bum of the month, Man O’ War taking on the stable pony in a match race. The only thing more lopsided than the final score was the points the books were giving to UCLA. USC covered that on the bus to the stadium.

(With apologies to Jim Murray)

KEN MCINTYRE

Torrance

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If you’re a Bruin football player, you may hate USC because you haven’t beaten them, or because of the fight song that they may play too often, or because of the mascot that spends as much time on the field as your kickoff receiving team, but don’t hate them because of Reggie Bush. He is the most electrifying player in college football history and you had the privilege of seeing him run in person ... albeit from behind.

TED BARTSCHERER

Pasadena

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I have no doubt that UCLA will be well prepared for its matchup with Northwestern in the Sun Bowl, what with more than three weeks to prepare for the Wildcats. Oh, wait ...

PAUL A. YARBROUGH

Eugene, Ore.

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Historic moments in football:

“The Drive” -- John Elway secures his legacy in 1987 AFC championship game.

“The Catch” -- Montana to Clark wins 1982 NFC championship game to begin Super Bowl run.

“The Punt” -- Karl Dorrell concedes 2005 UCLA-USC game to Trojans with six minutes left in the first quarter.

BEN BROWDY

Los Angeles

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As I lifelong Bruin fan, I respect Coach Dorrell and would love to see a genuine good guy like him succeed. But it’s not going to happen for him at UCLA.

I’m not fooled by the 9-2 record. Bruin fans knew that UCLA was basically a 6-5 team that got extremely lucky to win nine games, and we all saw yet another USC blowout coming.

There is no fire, passion, or courage in UCLA’s program and that starts at the top. Dorrell is to UCLA what Paul Hackett was to USC: a dead end.

DAVE ANZIVINO

Los Angeles

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It’s a shame that while The Times is celebrating the Trojans’ unprecedented success, nobody focuses on the lack of class at USC. Fourth-and-10 pass plays when you’re up by 40 in the third quarter? Not suspending players who beat up people at parties? Someone needs to recognize Pete Carroll and USC for what they really are: classless jerks. Hook ‘em, Horns!

MATTHEW HUNTER

Los Angeles

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When I saw Reggie Bush leap over UCLA defenders into the end zone I thought, “There’s your Sunday front page photo.” I was right about that one, but it turns out that was nothing compared to the layout on the front page of the sports section. Congratulations to Wally Skalij on one of the greatest sports photos I’ve ever seen.

JOHN GILHULY

Thousand Palms

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Forget USC-Texas, the game I really want to see is UCLA versus Colorado.

PAUL BROWN

Newport Beach