From TributeToTroy

The Trojans breezed to their second consecutive national championship in 1932 as the Howard Jones era reached its pinnacle. But at the start of the season, future greatness was not apparent for this team. Seven regulars had graduated from the 1931 squad, including three All-Americans. By the end of the season, however, it was hailed as perhaps Jones’ finest squad. In fact, some still regard this as USC’s best team.

The line, one of the greatest in Trojan history, included All-Americans Tay Brown, Aaron Rosenberg and Ernie Smith. The offense, directed by Homer Griffith and featuring back Cotton Warburton and ends Ray Sparling and Ford Palmer, was potent despite losing star Orv Mohler to injury. Meanwhile, the defense shut out its first five opponents, before finally being scored upon in the fourth quarter of game six. Jones’ squad allowed only 13 points all season while scoring 201. USC defeated Notre Dame 13-0 and smashed Pittsburgh 35-0 in the Rose Bowl.

The masterful 1932 season firmly placed Jones in the upper echelon of collegiate coaches. He even appeared on the cover of TIME magazine, where he was compared to the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg and Glenn “Pop” Warner. In 1999, Athlon magazine rated the 1932 team among the greatest of the 20th century.