Pat Haden 35 years after the USC comeback

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Former USC quarterback Pat Haden will be an analyst on NBC’s Saturday broadcast of the USC at Notre Dame game and Haden is emphatic when he says, no matter what, he will not relive the best moments of the Trojans’ 55-24 win in 1974, when USC came from 24 points behind with Haden at quarterback and Anthony Davis as star.

Does it seem like 35 years ago already?

‘Not really,’ said Haden from South Bend, Ind. Haden said it has been his belief that he shouldn’t ever recount his USC memories on any telecast. However, should one or the other of the teams Saturday be involved in a major comeback -- even though it’s unlikely USC or Notre Dame would be capable of scoring 55 points in 17 minutes as the Trojans did in 1974 -- Haden said, ‘I suppose NBC might have some sort of highlight package available.’

As for Saturday’s game, Haden said Notre Dame has closed the athletic talent gap that had been so glaringly evident over the past few years. ‘But have they closed it enough?’ Haden wondered. He also praised Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen but quickly followed the kind words by noting, ‘He hasn’t faced a defense like USC’s yet.’

-- Diane Pucin