1939 USC Trojans football team

{{Infobox college sports team season

| year = 1939

| team = USC Trojans

| sport = football

| image =

| image_size =

| conference = Pacific Coast Conference

| short_conf = PCC

| APRank = 3

| record = 8–0–2

| conf_record = 5–0–2

| head_coach = Howard Jones

| hc_year = 15th

| captain = Joe Shell

| stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

| champion = National champion (Dickinson System)
PCC champion
Rose Bowl champion

| bowl = Rose Bowl

| bowl_result = W 14–0 vs. Tennessee

}}

The 1939 USC Trojans football team was an American football team that represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) during the 1939 college football season. In their 15th year under head coach Howard Jones, the Trojans compiled an 8–0–2 record (5–0–2 against PCC opponents), shut out six of ten opponents, won the PCC championship, and outscored all opponents by a total of 181 to 33. They won the PCC championship.{{cite news|title=1939 USC Trojans Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|accessdate=April 5, 2022|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1939-schedule.html}}

In the final AP poll released on December 9, 1939, USC was ranked No. 3 with 891 points, 200 points behind No 1 Texas A&M.{{cite news|title=Writers Pick Texas Aggies As No. 1 Football Team|newspaper=The Bristol News Bulletin|date=December 12, 1939|page=2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99129996/writers-pick-texas-aggies-as-no-1/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 5, 2022|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405170413/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99129996/writers-pick-texas-aggies-as-no-1/|url-status=live}} However, in the Dickinson System rankings released three days later on December 12, USC was ranked No. 1 with a 25.73 point rating, edging out Texas A&M by three tenths of a point.{{cite news|title=Pacific Coast Football Best|newspaper=The Bristol News Bulletin|date=December 12, 1939|page=2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99130691/pacific-coast-football-best-dickinson/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 5, 2022|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405170413/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99130691/pacific-coast-football-best-dickinson/|url-status=live}} The Trojans were awarded the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy for the national championship as awarded by the Dickinson system.

After the final rankings were released, the Trojans defeated No. 2 Tennessee, 14–0, in the 1940 Rose Bowl. Tennessee had not given up any points prior to the Rose Bowl and had won 23 consecutive games.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83064866/usc-wins-140-over-tennessee/|work=Los Angeles Times|title=U.S.C. wins 14–0 over Tennessee|date=January 2, 1940|accessdate=August 8, 2021|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=August 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808222415/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83064866/usc-wins-140-over-tennessee/|url-status=live}} The AP did not conduct a poll after the bowl games.

USC guard Harry Smith was a consensus first-team pick on the 1939 All-America college football team.{{cite web|title=Football Award Winners|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)|year=2016|access-date=October 21, 2017|page=7|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/awards.pdf|archive-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022194854/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/awards.pdf|url-status=live}} Smith was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.{{cite web|title=Harry Smith|publisher=National Football Foundation|accessdate=April 5, 2022|url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1576|archive-date=January 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129064242/https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1576|url-status=live}} Quarterback Grenny Lansdell was chosen as a first-team All-American by the Central Press Association and as a third-team All-American by the Associated Press.{{cite news|author=Walter Johns|title=South Dominates Captains' All-American|work=Wisconsin State Journal|date=1939-12-10}}{{cite news|title=The 1939 A.P. All America|work=San Antonio Express|date=1939-12-09}} Smith, Lansdell, and tackle Phil Gaspar were also selected as first-team players on the 1939 All-Pacific Coast football team.{{cite news|title=All-Coast Eleven Rates As 'Dream Team'|newspaper=The San Bernardino Daily Sun|date=December 8, 1939|page=21|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/49147450/|archive-date=April 5, 2022|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405170412/https://www.newspapers.com/image/49147450/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=1939 United Press All-Pacific Coast Team – Kenny Washington Considered Outstanding Back|author=James A. Sullivan|publisher=United Press – San Francisco|date=December 5, 1939|accessdate=June 17, 2015|url=https://lvironpigs.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/1939-united-press-all-pacific-coast-team-kenny-washington-considered-outstanding-back/|archive-date=June 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618072135/https://lvironpigs.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/1939-united-press-all-pacific-coast-team-kenny-washington-considered-outstanding-back/|url-status=live}}

USC recognized the 1939 team as National Champions in 2004 based on their #1 ranking in the contemporary Dickinson System. USC saluted the surviving members of the squad on the field at their October 16 home game versus Arizona State.{{cite press release |author= |title=USC Now Will Recognize Its 1939 Football Team As A National Champion |url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072604aaa.html |publisher=University of Southern California Athletics |date=July 26, 2004 |access-date=April 12, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324022021/http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072604aaa.html |archive-date=March 24, 2007 |quote=USC now will recognize its 1939 football team as a national champion, giving the Trojan program 10 national titles in the sport, Trojan athletic director Mike Garrett announced. USC will salute the surviving members of that 1939 squad at its Oct. 16 home game against Arizona State.}}

Schedule

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1939

| poll = AP

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 30

| w/l = t

| opponent = Oregon

| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA

| score = 7–7

| attend = 41,000

| source = {{cite news|title=Doyle Nave Stars as Trojans Tie Oregon by 7-7 Score: Webfooters in Surprise; Southern California Comes From Behind to Get Even Break|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=October 1, 1939|pages=II-11, II-15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99145331/doyle-nave-stars-as-trojans-tie-oregon/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 5, 2022|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405204341/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99145331/doyle-nave-stars-as-trojans-tie-oregon/|url-status=live}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 7

| w/l = w

| opponent = Washington State

| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA

| score = 27–0

| attend = 45,000

| source = {{cite news|title=Trojan Machine Rolls to 27-0 Victory Over Cougars: Lansdell Stars in Triumph; Jones Uses Nearly Everybody on Squad as 45,000 Fans Watch|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=October 8, 1939|page=II-9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99144880/trojan-machine-rolls-to-27-0-victory/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 5, 2022|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405204133/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99144880/trojan-machine-rolls-to-27-0-victory/|url-status=live}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 14

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Illinois

| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA

| score = 26–0

| attend = 60,000

| source = {{cite news|title=Troy's Thundering Herd Swamps Outclassed Illini, 26 to 0: Nave Opens Scoring Spree|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=October 15, 1939|page=II-11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99144359/troys-thundering-herd-swamps/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 28

| w/l = w

| rank = 8

| opponent = California

| site_stadium = California Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Berkeley, CA

| score = 26–0

| attend = 46,000

| source = {{cite news|title=Trojans Crush Bears, 26-0, to Break Jinx of Cal Bowl|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=October 29, 1939|page=II-13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99143960/trojans-crush-bears-26-0-to-break/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 5, 2022|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405195041/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99143960/trojans-crush-bears-26-0-to-break/|url-status=live}}{{cite book|title=USC Football 2017 Media Guide|publisher=University of Southern California Athletics|page=70|url=http://usctrojans.com/documents/2017/7/25/2017_USC_Football_Media_Guide.pdf|archive-date=October 13, 2022|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013034350/https://usctrojans.com/documents/2017/7/25/2017_USC_Football_Media_Guide.pdf|url-status=live}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 4

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| rank = 7

| opponent = Oregon State

| opprank = 11

| site_stadium = Multnomah Stadium

| site_cityst = Portland, OR

| score = 19–7

| attend = 32,611

| source = {{cite news|title=Trojans Aerial Attack Bombs Beavers, 19 to 7|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=November 5, 1939|pages=II-13, II-14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99143575/trojans-aerial-attack-bombs-beavers-19/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 5, 2022|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405202359/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99143575/trojans-aerial-attack-bombs-beavers-19/|url-status=live}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 11

| w/l = w

| rank = 4

| opponent = Stanford

| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 33–0

| attend = 50,000

| source = {{cite news|title=Powerful Trojans Smother Stanford Indians by 33-0: Worst Licking in Long Series|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=November 12, 1939|pages=17, 20|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99142927/powerful-trojans-smother-stanford/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 5, 2022|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405193329/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99142927/powerful-trojans-smother-stanford/|url-status=live}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 25

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| rank = 4

| opponent = Notre Dame

| opprank = 7

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 20–12

| attend = 54,799

| source = {{cite news|title=Trojans Humble Irish, 20-12: 55,000 Thrill To Long Runs in Fast Game|newspaper=The South Bend Tribune|author=Jack Ledden|date=November 26, 1939|page=1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99137772/trojans-humble-irish-20-12-55000/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 5, 2023|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405145354/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99137772/trojans-humble-irish-20-12-55000/|url-status=live}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = December 2

| w/l = w

| homecoming = y

| rank = 1

| opponent = Washington

| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA

| score = 9–7

| attend = 44,760

| source = {{cite news|title=Trojan Pass Conquers Washington in Last Two Minutes, 9-7|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=December 3, 1939|page=II-11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99137252/trojan-pass-conquers-washington-in-last/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 5, 2022|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405181701/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99137252/trojan-pass-conquers-washington-in-last/|url-status=live}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = December 9

| w/l = t

| away = y

| rank = 3

| opponent = UCLA

| opprank = 9

| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA

| gamename = Victory Bell

| score = 0–0

| attend = 103,303

| source = {{cite news|title=Trojans and Bruins in 0-0 Tie Before 103,300: Foes Battle to Standstill|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Dick Hyland|date=December 10, 1939|page=II-11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93903500/the-los-angeles-times/|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 5, 2023|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405141251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93903500/the-los-angeles-times/|url-status=live}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{dow tooltip|January 1, 1940}}, 1940

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| rank = 3

| opponent = Tennessee

| opprank = 2

| site_stadium = Rose Bowl

| site_cityst = Pasadena, CA

| gamename = Rose Bowl

| score = 14–0

| attend = 92,200

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83064866/usc-wins-140-over-tennessee/|work=Los Angeles Times|title=U.S.C. Wins 14–0 Over Tennessee: Mighty Men of Troy Crush Volunteers Before 90,000 Rose Bowl Fans|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=January 2, 1940|pages=1, 13|accessdate=August 8, 2021|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=August 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808222415/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83064866/usc-wins-140-over-tennessee/|url-status=live}}

}}

1940 NFL draft

The following players were drafted into professional football following the 1939 season.

class="wikitable"
align="center" style="background:#800020;color:#ffc322;" \| Player	Position	Round	Pick	Franchise
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Doyle Nave	Back	1	6	Detroit Lions
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Grenny Lansdell	End	1	10	New York Giants
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Bill Fisk	End	3	21	Detroit Lions
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Harry Smith	Guard	5	36	Detroit Lions
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Bobby Winslow	End	7	56	Detroit Lions
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Bob Hoffman	Back	9	78	Washington Redskins
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Howard Stoecker	Tackle	11	98	Washington Redskins
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Phil Gaspar	Tackle	12	109	Green Bay Packers
align="center" bgcolor=""

{{cite web|title=1940 NFL Draft|publisher=Pro Football Archives|accessdate=April 5, 2022|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1940nfldraft.html|archive-date=May 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519161636/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1940nfldraft.html|url-status=live}}

References

USC

Category:USC Trojans football seasons

Category:Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons

Category:Rose Bowl champion seasons

Category:College football undefeated seasons

USC Trojans football