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May 2, 2007
Charlottesville, VA – The Virginia football team will open its 2008 season at home against Southern California on Aug. 30 at Scott Stadium both schools announced today. Virginia will play the second game in the series during the 2010 season at The Los Angeles Coliseum on September 11. The 2008 match-up will be the first meeting between the Cavaliers and Trojans in football.
“The opportunity to open the 2008 season at home against a team of this caliber is truly exciting,” said Executive Associate Director of Athletics Jon Oliver. “Coach Groh has worked hard to create a great college football atmosphere at Scott Stadium and our fans have been tremendous in supporting this effort. They deserve to see this type of game. I can promise we will introduce a couple of game day initiatives to support the excitement around the game.”
The game marks a rare trek by USC to an Atlantic Coast Conference venue. The only previous occurrence was in 1998 when USC played at Florida State and lost 30-10 at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Trojans have played at current ACC member schools Miami (1966, L 10-7), Georgia Tech (1973, W 23-6) and Boston College (1988, W 34-7), but none of those games took place while their football programs were members of the ACC.
The last meeting between the Trojans and an ACC opponent came in 2004 when USC defeated Virginia Tech 24-13 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. at the Black Coaches Association Kickoff Classic. USC owns an all-time record of 10-6 against the current lineup of ACC teams.
Virginia stands 0-1 against Pac-10 teams. The Cavaliers lost to Washington 38-17 in 1976.
“Virginia football likes the challenge of competition,” said Cavaliers coach Al Groh. “Clearly, we will get all we want from one of the most storied programs in the country. When you think about national championships, Heisman Trophies, and All-Americans, the USC Trojans are at the top of the list. I know Pete Carroll well and have great respect for what he and his players have done.”
During the last five seasons the Trojans have played in five consecutive Bowl Championship Series (BCS) games, won the national title in 2003 and 2004 and played in the BCS Championship Game in 2005. USC has been ranked in the top four of the final Associated Press poll in each of the last five seasons while winning five consecutive Pac-10 titles. During that time, USC has compiled a 59-6 record and been ranked in the top-10 of the AP poll for its last 56 games.
Virginia will open its 2007 season Sept. 1 at Wyoming. The Cavaliers home opener is against ACC rival Duke on Sept. 8.