UCLA Sports Information Gary Beban (16)
is UCLA’s first and only Heisman Trophy winner, taking the award in
1967. He quarterbacked the Bruin offense from 1965 to 1967.
Gary Beban was UCLA’s starting quarterback from 1965-67
and is a charter member of the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. Beban is
the only UCLA Bruin to win the Heisman Trophy (1967) and during
each three years of his years guiding the offense, the Bruins
finished in the top 10. Beban spoke to the Daily Bruin via
telephone. In the conversation Beban discusses the rivalry with
USC, his favorite moments and the intensity of Beat ‘SC
Week.
Daily Bruin: Would you have an extra intensity as you approached
the USC game? Gary Beban: When we decided to come to UCLA, you
are prepared to defeat the the USC Trojans. It was like we had
three seasons, regular season, USC week, and the Rose Bowl. We
would actually have special plays, which we would practice during
the regular season, but we wouldn’t break them out until the
‘SC game.
DB: In 1967, UCLA was ranked No. 1 going into the USC game. Did
the coach (Tommy Prothro) still use the ‘SC game to motivate
you? GB: There was never a need to prepare us for an ‘SC
football game. As a freshman, you know what that means. As a UCLA
athlete, you know what that means. We’d been playing for the
national championship for four years. It was unique that we played
USC while in that position, but no, the coach didn’t have to
use psychology to motivate us. It was a great football game. Both
coaches called every play in their playbooks. It was a pretty
exciting game for all the players involved. It took me a long time
to accept the loss, but we were able to play in a game that most
people never get to play in.
DB: After you graduated, did you continue to follow the UCLA-USC
games? GB: I think for all the people who played in that game,
even after you lose interest in the sport, during the week of the
game, you pay a little extra attention and see how the team is
doing. It is such a great rivalry. Friendships and family ties
develop over the years from ex-ball players following the
game.
DB: Did you feel a different energy in the crowd when you came
on the field for the USC game? GB: Absolutely. Teams come out
before the game in their attire to relax, and people would already
be out there. At the time the Coliseum had a track that surrounded
the field, and the track was filled with wires, cameras and tarps.
You knew that this was not an ordinary game. The crowd was louder,
it was energized, and we would give them a game that would keep
them that way for three or four hours.
DB: Did Coach Prothro close down practices during USC week? GB:
Coach Prothro closed the practices, but I don’t think we
closed it down well enough, however, because Pat Cashman should
never have intercepted my pass (1967). Or that’s something
I’ll always believe (laughs). But yes, the coach did close
the practice tighter during ‘SC week.
DB: What’s your best memory of a USC game? GB: It was
a non-field event after the 1965 game, where we upset them. Mike
Garrett had the class to walk into our locker room and wish us luck
in the Rose Bowl. It exemplified what being a Bruin or Trojan is
about. Mike was trying to handle the fact that he would never get
to play in the Rose Bowl. That’s probably my fondest view of
the rivalry, because that is what college football is all
about.
DB: What is your most cherished memory of the rivalry after your
playing days ended? GB: The Cade McNown class was great because
they won all four of their matchups against the Trojans, and
that’s an incredible achievement. Any class that can go
through and win them all, that’s very special.
DB: In the NFL did you have any rivalries that compared to
UCLA-USC? GB: In Washington, we had rivalries with Dallas, the
Giants and the Colts, but I can’t think of any rivalries as
intense as the crosstown game. You would have brothers on opposing
teams, so families would be separated. They couldn’t sit
together during a USC-UCLA game. I had the fortune to play on teams
that were able to bring a season to such a great climax, and a
career in 1967. A lot of players never get to play on a winning
team, let alone a team competing for the Rose Bowl and a national
championship. And that was the good fortune for the three years
that I played here and for my teammates.
DB: How do you feel about the rivalry continuing to be so
strong? GB: As long as the schools are only 12 miles apart and
families are split between the two schools, the rivalry will
continue.
Interview by Scott Schultz, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.