Ol' McDonald Had An Arm
His Passing Helped Lead Southern Cal On Another Dominant Run In The Late 1970s
By TOM YANTZ
Courant Staff Writer
November 18 2005
Describing the exploits and emotions of the dominant team in college football isn't difficult for Southern Cal radio commentator Paul McDonald.
"No, I've been there," he said. "I know what the guys are feeling."
McDonald quarterbacked the Trojans on a run not unlike the one they're on now. Top-ranked USC (10-0), which plays No. 16 Fresno State (8-1) Saturday, is 35-1 the past three seasons, with a split national title in 2003 and the undisputed championship last year.
McDonald, who played under coach John Robinson and with Charles White, the school's all-time leading rusher, led USC to a share of the national title with Alabama in 1978. The Trojans were 22-1-1 and won two Rose Bowls in his two seasons as a starter.
McDonald sees some parallels.
"We had the best running back in the nation in Charles White," McDonald said. "And Reggie Bush is that this season for USC."
And McDonald was the Matt Leinart of the late 1970s.
"Our offense was more of a power-running attack," McDonald said. "Charles White had 2 percent body fat. He could run the ball 40 times and still be fresh. His stamina was amazing. Coach Robinson liked that running game."
Still, Robinson recognized McDonald's passing prowess. He ranks eighth in career passing yards for the Trojans (4,138). All but 225 of them came in his two seasons as starter.
"My junior year [1978] we had some pretty good players," McDonald said.
Besides White, there were running backs Marcus Allen (a freshman) and Lynn Cain, offensive lineman Anthony Munoz and defensive back Ronnie Lott.
Those memorable names played in two memorable games that season.
When USC played Notre Dame, the Irish were No. 8 and defending national champions. The Trojans, who had lost earlier at Arizona State, were No. 3.
"We were up 17-3 at halftime against Notre Dame," McDonald said. "Then Joe Montana really got going. He must have thrown for 300 yards in the second half."
USC, which led 24-6 after three quarters, found itself down 25-24 with 46 seconds left. That's when McDonald engineered his own escape.
"A Notre Dame lineman got me and was spinning me around," McDonald said. "I was just trying to throw the ball away to stop the clock. And that's what happened. But I think the whole Notre Dame side thought it was a fumble because they jumped on the ball.
"But like Tom Brady in that playoff game against the Raiders, the ref ruled my arm was going forward, and they ruled it an incomplete pass."
McDonald then hit Calvin Sweeney with a 35-yard pass with 19 seconds remaining, setting up a 37-yard field goal attempt.
"Frank Jordan kicked it home and we win 27-25 on the last play of the game," McDonald said.
The Trojans finished their 12-1 season with a 17-10 victory over No. 5 Michigan in the Rose Bowl. They were voted No. 1 in the coaches poll; Alabama was No. 1 in the media poll. USC might have had another championship the following year if not for a 21-21 tie with Stanford.
"We were 11-0-1, but sure that game still bothers me today," McDonald said. "We were ahead 21-0 at halftime, but didn't close the deal."
McDonald's final game was a 17-16 victory over Ohio State in the 1980 Rose Bowl.
"Ohio State was going to blitz, and I called an audible," McDonald said. "I hit Kevin Williams on a 53-yard post route for a touchdown.
"You know who the secondary coach was for Ohio State that day?" McDonald said. "Pete Carroll."
Carroll, now USC's head coach, hasn't forgotten that play.
"Before the 2003 Rose Bowl, we're on the field and all of a sudden, Pete says to me, `I never should have called that blitz; you burned me,'" McDonald said.
After eight years in the NFL, primarily with the Cleveland Browns, McDonald worked as a financial, marketing and sales consultant. McDonald, 47, is now a commercial real estate salesman in Southern California and is in his eighth season as the Trojans' color commentator.
McDonald said he enjoys keeping up with the current players and coaches of Troy. His son, Michael, is a sophomore reserve QB at USC. They throw the ball to each other before games.
"It doesn't get much better for me," McDonald said. "To see every week what Pete has done with this team is unbelievable. They've won 32 straight games and are going for their third straight national championship. They're a dominant team, like in the good old days."
Copyright 2005, Hartford Courant |
