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USC Adds UNLV to Future Football Schedule

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•07/15/22•

ErikTMcKinney

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Armani Rogers #1 of the UNLV Rebels throws a complete pass in the third quarter of the game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 1, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by
Quarterback Armani Rogers #1 of the UNLV Rebels throws a complete pass against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 1, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

USC made an addition to its 2027 football schedule on Friday. Trojans’ Athletic Director Mike Bohn announced USC will host UNLV at the Coliseum on Saturday, Sept. 4.

Despite the proximity, USC and UNLV don’t have much of a football history together. This will be just the third time the two teams have met.

USC needed a big fourth quarter in the 1997 meeting to pull away from UNLV and post a 35-21 win. The Trojans trailed 7-6 heading into halftime and the game was tied 14-14 going into the fourth quarter.

Wide receiver R. Jay Soward caught fourth-quarter touchdown passes of 44 and 78 yards from quarterback John Fox. Freshman running back Malaefou MacKenzie rushed 19 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns after coming in to replace an injured LaVale Woods.

Linebacker Chris Claiborne finished with two tackles and safety Chad Morton (who later became a running back) recorded an interception.

The second meeting between these two programs took place in 2018. It was the season opener and first appearance in cardinal and gold for five-star quarterback JT Daniels.

Again, UNLV kept things close as the Rebels led 14-12 with around a minute remaining before halftime.

Running back Vavae Malepeai scored USC’s first touchdown to give the Trojans a 19-14 lead at half. Daniels hooked up with fellow true freshman Amon-Ra St. Brown on a long touchdown and the Trojans added two more scores on the ground to finish off a 43-21 win.

Daniels threw for 282 yards and a score. Running back Aca’Cedric Ware rushed for 100 yards and a score. And St. Brown finished with seven receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the Trojans recorded five sacks, led by Porter Gustin with 1.5. Gustin also recovered a fumble forced by safety Isaiah Pola-Mao on the first snap of the game.

USC’s Future Football Schedules

This is now the only known game on USC’s 2027 schedule as the recently announced move to the Big Ten has completely altered the Trojans’ future schedules.

The 2023 football season will be USC’s final one as part of the Pac-12 and the Trojans will move to the Big Ten in 2024. The three nonconference games in 2024 are set as a neutral site game against LSU in Las Vegas, and home games against Notre Dame and San Jose State.

The 2025 schedule features a home game against Ole Miss and a road trip to Notre Dame. It wouldn’t be surprising to see another home game scheduled against a West region opponent.

The 2026 nonconference schedule sees the Trojans return the game against Ole Miss in Oxford as well as host Fresno State and Notre Dame.

UNLV will make this season-opening trip to the Coliseum in 2027. And the 2028 season will see the Trojans host Fresno State on Sept. 9.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz