The University of Southern California has announced that its 2026 football campaign will begin on August 29, when the Trojans travel to face San Jose State in their season‑opening matchup.
The game marks not only the start of a new chapter for the program but also a moment to reflect on the franchise’s rich history.
Among the figures whose shadow still looms large over USC football is Sam Cunningham, a running back who starred for the Trojans from 1970 through 1972.
During his collegiate career he earned first‑team All‑American honors in 1972 and was a key contributor in USC’s national championship that year.
Cunningham’s four touchdown receptions in the 1973 Rose Bowl against Ohio State remain a highlight of Rose Bowl lore.
Perhaps his most widely cited contribution came in a 1970 contest against Alabama, a game that prompted the Crimson Tide to integrate their roster, a turning point documented in sports history.
His achievements were recognized with inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010, as well as the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame and the USC Athletics Hall of Fame.
After leaving USC, Cunningham was selected by the New England Patriots with the 11th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft, where he spent nine seasons, earned Pro Bowl honors in 1978 and was later enshrined in the Patriots Hall of Fame.
Tragically, Cunningham passed away in 2021 at the age of 71, but his legacy continues to inspire players and fans alike.
USC’s athletic department has said the upcoming opener will include a tribute to the late star, underscoring the enduring bond between past and present Trojans.
Remembering a Trailblazer
John McKay, who coached Cunningham during his championship seasons, once praised the player’s combination of speed and vision, noting that Cunningham ‘redefined what a back could be in the college game.’
Bear Bryant, the legendary Alabama coach, reportedly acknowledged the impact of Cunningham’s performance on his own team’s decision to integrate, a testament to the running back’s influence beyond the field.
The troy of Cunningham’s life — from a small town in Georgia to the hallowed grounds of the Rose Bowl and the bright lights of the NFL — illustrates how sport can serve as a catalyst for social change.
As the Trojans prepare for their 2026 slate, the memory of Cunningham serves as a reminder that excellence on the field can be matched by courage off it.