June 6, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

UCLA, USC Play For Berth in Conference Championship Game

Courtesy Image: Razorgator.com
Courtesy Image: Razorgator.com

The UCLA-USC football game will be played today at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with the winner advancing to next Saturday’s Pac-12 Football Championship Game.

A South Division championship and a berth in the conference championship game seemed unlikely for the Trojans after their 17-12 loss to Washington on Oct. 8 dropped them to 1-2 in conference play and a tie for fourth in the six- team division, 1 1/2 games behind division-leading Utah.

Coach Steve Sarkisian was placed on indefinite leave on Oct. 11 amid rumors of continuing troubles with alcohol and fired a day later, with offensive coordinator Clay Helton appointed as interim coach.

USC lost a nonconference game to Notre Dame in its first game following Sarkisian’s firing, but were 42-24 winners over previously undefeated Utah in its first conference game.

The Trojans also won each of their next three conference games, allowing them to remain in contention for a division championship even with last Saturday’s 48-28 loss at Oregon.

“When we started this thing out six weeks ago we said what an unbelievable story it would be to win a Pac-12 South championship and here six weeks later we’re on the cusp of having the opportunity to do that,” Helton told reporters on a conference call this week.

“It would be a neat story for a bunch of great seniors and resilient seniors to walk away Pac-12 South champions.”

Since the Pac-12 Conference went to the two-division format in 2011 with the additions of Colorado and Utah to the conference, USC has never won a South Division championship.

The Trojans finished first in the standings in 2011, but were ineligible for the division championship because of a penalty by the NCAA for violating various rules.

Both teams are 8-3, 5-3 in conference play. The Bruins are ranked 22nd in The Associated Press poll, while USC is not among the top 25 officially ranked. The Trojans received eight points in the voting for the most recent poll, which was released Sunday, putting them 32nd.

Various oddsmakers have made USC a 3-point favorite. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Trojans a 65.6 percent chance of winning.

UCLA is 3-0 against USC since Jim Mora became its coach in 2012, with the victories coming over three coaches — Lane Kiffin in 2012, Ed Orgeron in 2013 and Sarkisian in 2014.

The Bruins are seeking their first four-game winning streak over the Trojans since it won eight straight from 1991-98.

USC has a 46-31-7 on-field lead in the series, although its victories in 2004 and 2005 were later vacated due to NCAA penalty.

The winning team will be awarded the Victory Bell, a 295-pound bell originally hung atop a Southern Pacific freight locomotive.

The bell was given to the UCLA Alumni Association in 1939. In 1941, it was taken by a group of USC students.

A year later, the student body presidents of both schools signed an agreement providing that the winner of the game would keep possession for the next year, a tradition that has continued.

The temperature at the 12:30 p.m. kickoff will be 62 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The game marks the conclusion of Tackle Hunger, a weeklong joint effort by UCLA and USC to benefit the LA Regional Foodbank.

A public service message asking fans to make a $10 donation to the LA Regional Food Bank by texting  “GoUCLA” or “GoUSC” to 41444 on their smart phone will be played on the Coliseum’s video board.

The message features “The Last Man on Earth” star Will Forte, a UCLA alumnus, and fellow Emmy nominee Timothy Olyphant (“Justified”), a USC alumnus.

The LA Regional Foodbank distributes 1.1 million pounds of food each week through more than 700 agencies. More than 1,000 agencies remain on a waiting list, according to Andy Morris, the LA Regional Foodbank’s director of communications & marketing.

Related Posts

(Video) See How CO2 Laser Treatment Removes Wrinkles and Scars

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

To Book an Appointment, Go to Mirrormirrormedspa.com To Book an Appointment, Go to https://t.co/GQ7DNcGw8E pic.twitter.com/OdAVVpLIcw — CCNewsLA (@CCWNNews) June 5,...

Film Review: Dangerous Animals

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

By Dolores Quintana There’s nothing quite like a good shark horror movie, especially since we are heading into summer. With...

Erewhon and LGBTQ Singer Kali Uchis Serve Summer Smoothie for a Good Cause

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

The Sincerely Smoothie Blends Passionfruit, Pitaya, and Malk Coconut Milk LGBTQ singer Kali Uchis has teamed up with Erewhon to...

Levain Bakery and Wanderlust Creamery Team Up for a Sweet Cause This Saturday

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Lily Rosenthal and Chef Mason Royal Host a Cookie & Ice Cream Celebration Larchmont’s Levain Bakery will host a community...

Vietnamese Street Food Pop-Up ‘Little C’ Returns to Crustacean for Limited Lunch Series

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

After a Sold-Out Debut, the Fan-Favorite Phở-Forward Concept Reopens  Following a sold-out debut, the Vietnamese street food concept “Little C”...

Fogo de Chão Unveils Fiery Off-Menu Cocktail, the Paper Flame

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Tequila-Based Drink Features a Dramatic Tableside Presentation Fogo de Chão has unveiled its first-ever secret cocktail, the Paper Flame, an...

Marelle Launches ‘The Guest List’ With Renowned Chefs and Friends Alan Wong and Raphael Lunetta

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Santa Monica’s New Chef Series Debuts With a Culinary Celebration of California and Hawaiian Flavors Marelle, a coastal dining destination...

Culver City’s Citizen Public Market Launches Summer Lineup of Food and Art

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

From Brats to Biryani: Citizen Public Market Unveils Fantastic New Flavors  Culver City’s Citizen Public Market is rolling out a...

(Video) Some of the Damage Caused By Vandals at Malibu High School Overnight

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

40 to 50 people, who are suspected to be students or recent alumni, used eggs, flour, and markers to deface...

Biggest Night of the Year: Don’t Miss GMCLA’s ‘Dancing Queens’

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Culminating its 46th season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will grace the crowd with Dancing Queens, celebrating iconic...

Driver Arrested for Suspected DUI After Rollover Crash in West Los Angeles

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

One Person Hospitalized, Light Pole Smashed After Late-Night Collision One driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, and another person...

Pluto TV and Oscar-Winning Director Sean Baker Team Up to Host Free Weekend Screenings

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Popcorn Challenge Interactive Event Set for Westfield Century City Mall  The historic Gardena Cinema, one of the last single-screen, family-operated...

Former ‘Real Housewives’ Husband Sentenced to Over 7 Years for $15 Million Client Fraud 

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Federal Judge Rejects Plea for Medical Placement, Orders Restitution and Prison Time Disgraced former attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced Tuesday...

Malibu High Targeted in Overnight Vandalism Spree; Investigation Underway

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Destruction on Campus Prompts Sheriff’s Probe; Students May Face Charges Vandals caused extensive damage to the school property of Malibu...

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place...