Lion Tales: USC

In August 1996, USC had high hopes for a national title.

The Trojans were preseason No. 7, fresh off a Pac-10 title and thrilling win in the Rose Bowl against upstart Northwestern.

USC flew across the country, spent a few late summer days in New York City, and traveled to Giants Stadium for the 14th Kickoff Classic.

On that day, Curtis Enis had as good a performance as any opposing running back ever had against the Trojans, which is the focus of today’s Lion Tale.

Enis was co-freshman of the year in the Big Ten in 1995, rushing for nearly 700 yards and four touchdowns after an in-season shift from linebacker to running back. Still, a national television audience for a standalone game just…