The usual pre-game comments were made before the 94th meeting between Southern California and UCLA on Saturday night.
“There’s going to be a lot of emotion playing, and guys are going to be fired up, because there’s nothing like playing against your friends or people you know,” said Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster, who played as a running back from 1998-2001.
Then there was Trojans wide receiver Kyle Ford, who has a unique perspective on the rivalry.
“I don’t think this week ever gets too normal, especially the last three,” said Ford, who played his first three seasons at USC, transferred to UCLA in 2023, but returned to USC for one more year.
Ford’s journey meant he won as the visiting player in the last two games of the rivalry. His favorite game was the exciting 48-45 victory at the Rose Bowl in 2022, a game that helped make quarterback Caleb Williams the Heisman Trophy favorite.
“I tell everyone, that’s, like, one of the most fun games I’ve ever played in,” Ford said. “Not just because I had a touchdown or anything, it was just competitive, it was fun. It was back and forth. Like, so many memories within the game that I could always tell people.”
“Being a kid from Southern California, just wanting to contribute in those games is what you dream of, and I feel like that was one of the games where I finally got my opportunity to do it.”
Ford has strong connections to the local football scene. Born in Corona, California, he split his high school years between two top schools in Orange County, Servite and Orange Lutheran.
His first two years at USC were limited by knee injuries, but Ford became a regular player in 2021 and 2022. He had 20 receptions for 365 yards during Williams’ standout 2022 season, including three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter against UCLA.
Looking for more playing time as a senior, Ford transferred to UCLA. However, things didn’t work out, and he realized this during last season’s 38-20 UCLA win at the Coliseum.
Ford couldn’t enjoy the victory “because I was more frustrated with my own team more than USC at that time,” he said. “That’s why I’ve said this game has been on my mind longer than anything.”
Even though Ford had modest numbers this season, with 17 receptions for 217 yards and two touchdowns, he has become an important mentor to USC’s young receivers. He is content in this role, especially if it leads to a win this week.
“I mean, regardless of any personal things I feel, that doesn’t really matter because I would never put myself in front of the team,” Ford said. “Like, I’m just going to do everything, and hopefully everything that I have in my mind helps the team in a positive way.”
Ford may not be the only one on the USC side dealing with mixed emotions. Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, safety Kamari Ramsey, and cornerback John Humphrey all were part of UCLA’s defense that defeated Williams in his last home game.
Lynn and Ramsey both said they see the game as just another matchup. That’s not the case for Ford.
“It’s something that, you know, when you transfer and you leave, it’s something that you dream about and you sleep about and you think about,” Ford said. “And now it’s here. So just trying to keep all my emotions just tucked away until that clock starts rolling.”
