In the sweltering heat of September of 1970 on Legion Field, the USC Trojans and the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide played a game that defined the emancipation of the South from its sordid history of racial segregation. When USC's black running back Sam “The Bam” Cunningham ran roughshod all over the all-white Crimson Tide, more than a football game was won. Based on interviews with many of the game's participants and thoroughly researched this book presents sports as a metaphor for one of the most profound social changes in history. On September 12, 1970, the University of Southern California's integrated football team traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, and defeated the University of Alabama's all-white team, 42–21. Travers, a USC grad, portrays the game and USC's victory as a tipping point in the integration of college football and the South, a triumph for the forces of equality. Garden-variety fans, however, may chalk the win up to USC's outstanding black running backs, Sam "Bam" Cunningham and Clarence Davis, or to the fact that the 1970 squad was one of Alabama's weakest teams in the Paul "Bear" Bryant era. Still, his larger view of the game hits home in most respects, and he provides a compelling account—drawing from dozens of interviews with participants, coaches, and others—of a clash between two schools with decidedly different approaches to the composition of their football rosters. Soon after the 1970 season, Travers notes, Bryant began effectively recruiting black players, and Alabama was once again a football power. All in all, an intriguing premise and a well-told story. Lukowsky, Wes …a compelling account…and a well-told story. (Wes Lukowsky Booklist, September 1, 2007 ) Steve Travers is a Renaissance man. Steve Travers is a great writer, an educated athlete who knows how to get inside the player's heads, and when that happens, greatness occurs. He's gonna be a superstar. (Dave Burgin San Francisco Examiner ) Steven Travers is a USC graduate and former professional baseball player. He is the author of The USC Trojans: College Football's All-Time Great Dynasty . He lives in California. Used Book in Good Condition