Red Sanders, legendary UCLA football coach once said about rivalry with USC it was not life or death, it was more important than that.
Now, some 70 years later, nearly half the Bruins roster needed an explanation of what it meant to play for the Trojans.
“We have so many transfers and stuff,” interim coach Tim Skipper said, “So I wanted to make sure everyone knew how significant this game was.”
This could make Ciaran Dooley, the team's creative producer, a rival hero. John Barnes, Anthony Barr And Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Dooley made a video that tried to condense the essence of the nearly century-long rivalry into about five minutes.
Putting aside any concerns about where college sports is headed when it comes to explaining things about its archrival, the video had its intended effect, drawing applause nearly a week before kickoff.
The video begins with a minute-long commercial narrated by Barr and explains some of the basics of the rivalry, such as both teams wearing their home uniforms and the winner getting to take possession of the 295-pound Victory Bell before painting it the color of their elementary school—preferably blue.
“A lot of it was similar to clips I’ve already seen from Los Angeles and around the game,” freshman linebacker Scott Taylor said, “but a lot of guys who weren’t here don’t understand how big it is for Los Angeles and how special this win could be.”
Rivalry lingo such as “It’s always 8:47 in Westwood”—a reference to the Bruins’ 13-9 rout of second-seeded USC in 2006—and “Eight more years!” — the chant that rang out at the 1998 Rose Bowl at the end of the Bruins' eighth straight victory over the Trojans — may need some explanation for a roster that included 57 rookies, 52 transfers and 42 out-of-state players.
“I made this video to show what the rivalry is really about — the history, the passion, the bragging rights,” Dooley told The Times. “I know everyone on the team already knows what it is, but if there’s anything I can do to motivate the guys to play even more, I’ll do it every time.”
Linebacker Isaiah Chisom, a transfer from Oregon State, said the coaching staff also brought in several former players to explain the meaning of the rivalry before the Bruins (3-8 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) take on the No. 17 Trojans (8-3, 6-2) on Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum. Veteran offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio and guard Cole Martin also talked about what the rivalry means to them.
Utah defenseman Devon Dampier (4) holds the ball and pushes Bruins linebacker Isaiah Chisom (32) on Aug. 30 at the Rose Bowl.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
“I think they did a pretty good job of bringing everyone together,” Chisom said, “so we all know how important this game is.”
Chisom didn't need any upgrading because he grew up in Southern California and played for Bishop Allemany High School and Chaminade College Preparatory School. He said he had already attended a competitive game and learned of the Bruins' hatred of the Trojans from Chaminade assistant coach Reggie Carter, a former Bruins linebacker.
“He didn't like anyone wearing red,” Chisom said of Carter. “I’ve been told about this for a long time.”
Skipper said he grew up watching rivalries wherever he lived: His father Jim was a lifelong coach who moved from one city to another, and his older brother Kelly was DeShawn Foster's running backs coach at UCLA.
“It’s great to finally be a part of this,” Tim Skipper said. “You watch so much, I’ve never been to one of these games and to be able to work and coach it will be amazing.”
Signs of rivalry week greeted anyone who walked past the boarded-up John Wooden and bear statues on campus, although it was a little quieter than the Bruins would have liked. This is because they were unable to ring the Victory Bell, which is located on the other side of the city. after USC won last year's game7-1 p.m., at the Rose Bowl.
“We want to get him back, we want to ring him up after the game,” DiGiorgio said. ” [USC] Guys, last year we installed flags on our field. I don't know if we're going to reciprocate that energy because I don't know if it's going to start anything, but we're definitely looking forward to getting that bell back.”
The Bruins won their last two trips to the Coliseum, giving DiGiorgio the motivation to make it three in a row and finish his college career with a 3-2 record against the Trojans. The consensus at Sunday's team meeting was that a win over USC would make up for all the disappointments the team endured during a season in which Foster was fired after just three games.
UCLA offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio (72) believes the Bruins' video helped his teammates understand the importance of winning a competitive USC game.
(John McCoy/Associated Press)
“A win over SC will right all the wrongs that have happened this season, including the win at Penn State. [over the then-No. 7 Nittany Lions]- Chisom said. “I don’t think we could have asked for anything more.”
Even those making their debut in the rivalry will know what they're getting into thanks to the work of a content creator whose video can help cause an upset.
“I think it enlightened, lit a fire in the guys’ hearts,” DiGiorgio said, “to get a little excited this week.”
