Old School: O.J. Simpson's Memorable 64-Yard Touchdown Run Against #1 UCLA

"Old School" is the College Football FanHouse's irregular look back at the rich history of college football, usually through the medium of embeddable flash video. Check out the Old School archive for more famous plays and infamous hair.

Back in 1967, there was a hotly contested battle between city rivals #1 UCLA and #2 USC. UCLA quarterback and eventual Heisman Trophy winner Gary Beban had a fine afternoon throwing the ball despite aching ribs. However, his solid play was not quite enough as a fatigued O.J. Simpson made perhaps the most fabled run in college football history.

On a crucial third down, USC had called a passing play but their quarterback switched to a run. Simpson ran forward, found some room and then bounded left, making an almost impossible cut. He then hit the sidelines before running into traffic and once again cutting back all the way across the field for the score that put USC ahead 21-20 after the extra point. The run put USC atop the rankings and catapulted Simpson to the 1968 Heisman Trophy.

What's eerie about this play is that Reggie Bush's much-replayed touchdown run against Fresno State in 2005 (~5:30 in) is almost a mirror-image of Simson's run. Also notice that USC and UCLA both wore their home colors. Unfortunately, the NCAA crafted a rule that killed a fun tradition between the Los Angeles rivals as all teams must now wear contrasting uniforms. Here at FanHouse we hope they can create exemptions to restore this tradition or disband the rule altogether.