Fresno State’s football history against USC is short but unforgettable.
In just a handful of meetings with the Trojans, the Bulldogs have produced two moments that still stir emotions across the Valley.
One night in Anaheim announced Fresno State to the country.
Another in Los Angeles nearly rewrote college football.
The teams will kick off their 2026 season opener at 6 p.m. Friday when Fresno State faces No. 14 USC from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
But before Friday’s opener, let’s revisit Fresno State’s two epic showdowns against USC — one triumphant, one heartbreaking.
Both remain sacred chapters of Bulldog lore, as detailed by The Fresno Bee.
Los Angeles, CA 11/19/05 SPT DLW FSU USC REGGIE BUSH – USC’s Reggie Bush makes a move against Fresno State’s Awan Diles during their game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night November 19, 2005. Darrell Wong Fresno Bee Staff Photo Here are Fresno State’s most memorable moments against USCFresno State-USC Round 1 was win that put Bulldogs on the map. Players relive ‘92 Freedom Bowl — Fresno State smacked USC 24-7 in the 1992 Freedom Bowl, its first meeting with the Trojans and still its only win in the series. Coach Jim Sweeney convinced his players they were going to win, pushing the Bulldogs through 10 days of full-contact bowl prep in Los Angeles. USC’s players and marching band openly disrespected the Bulldogs in the days leading up, fueling a group that had been passed over by big-name schools. Behind Ron Rivers, Lorenzo Neal and Anthony Daigle, Fresno State dominated both lines of scrimmage in a rain-soaked game, outgaining USC 405-183. The Trojans’ iconic fight song eventually went silent as the Bulldogs pulled away, and USC coach Larry Smith was fired days later.20 years later, epic 2005 showdown with USC impacts Fresno State football legacy — On Nov. 19, 2005, No. 16 Fresno State came within a whisker of toppling No. 1 USC, falling 50-42 before 90,007 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Coach Pat Hill’s Bulldogs led 21-13 at halftime and briefly retook the lead 42-41 in the fourth quarter behind quarterback Paul Pinegar. But a torn ACL suffered by linebacker Marcus Riley helped unleash Reggie Bush, who piled up a Pac-10 record 513 all-purpose yards en route to the Heisman Trophy. Pinegar’s final interception intended for Paul Williams remain the aching what-ifs of the night. “We were on the doorstep to beat the No. 1 team in the nation,” Pinegar said afterward. “Too many mistakes at costly times.” Two decades later, Red Wave devotees still recount the loss with more pride than pain — a classic, as Riley put it, that college football has never forgotten.
Original stories by Bryant-Jon Anteola and Robert Kuwada
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