On October 8, 1977, the college football world was stunned when No. 7 Alabama traveled to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and defeated the No. 1 USC Trojans in a thriller. The 21-20 victory for the Crimson Tide, coached by legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant, proved to be a pivotal moment, launching a dynasty that would define the rest of the decade for Alabama.
Bama Nudges USC 1977 09 Oct 1977, Sun Wichita Falls Times (Wichita Falls, Texas) Newspapers.com
The clash between No. 7 Alabama and the undefeated No. 1 USC Trojans on October 8, 1977, proved to be an instant classic decided by the narrow margin of 21-20. Playing in the Los Angeles Coliseum, the Crimson Tide, despite trailing 3-0 at halftime, exploded in the second half, fueled by two rushing touchdowns from halfback Tony Nathan, surging to a seemingly decisive 21-6 lead in the fourth quarter. However, the Trojans, coached by John Robinson, mounted a furious comeback, scoring two quick touchdowns to pull within a single point. Facing the ultimate high-stakes decision down 21-20 in the final minutes, USC opted to go for the win with a two-point conversion. But the legendary Tide defense, under Bear Bryant, made the play, stopping USC quarterback Rob Hertel’s pass attempt, which was sealed by a game-preserving interception by linebacker Barry Krauss. This monumental upset not only sent Alabama to an 11-1 finish and a No. 2 final ranking, but it is also widely recognized as the crucial moment that galvanized the team for their back-to-back National Championships in 1978 and 1979, marking the final and defining peak of the Bryant dynasty.
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