This was Earle Bruce’s first Buckeye team, and it shocked everyone by going 11-0 and vaulting to No. 1 in the national polls. But USC featured Heisman Trophy winner Charles White and a talented supporting cast led by offensive linemen Anthony Munoz and Brad Budde, quarterback Paul McDonald and defensive stalwarts Jack Del Rio and Ronnie Lott.

This game featured dramatic goal-line stands by both teams in the first half that resulted in no points for either squad. Ohio State fought back from an early 10-0 deficit to tie the game just before intermission on a 63-yard TD pass from Art Schlichter to Gary Williams.

The Buckeyes moved in front 16-10 in the fourth quarter after a pair of second-half field goals by Vlade Janakievski from 37 and 24 yards. But USC marched 83 yards in eight plays with White diving over from the one in the final three minutes. The PAT was the difference in yet another one-point loss that cost the Buckeyes a national crown.

OSU (11-1) fell to No. 4 in the final polls, while USC was No. 2.