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1998 UCLA vs. USC: Cade McNown leads Bruins' most dominant reign over the Trojans

“Fight On,” USC’s venerable fight song, hasn’t irritated Cade McNown over the last two decades whenever he’s heard the blaring trumpets of his longtime rival.

It’s the soundtrack to his greatest success.

“I love hearing that fight song, I tell people,” the former UCLA quarterback said recently with a laugh, “because it reminds me of victory.”

The Bruins had won four consecutive games in the crosstown rivalry when McNown arrived on campus to carry on his school’s new favorite tradition. McNown helped UCLA edge USC in each of his first three seasons, never by more than a touchdown and once in double overtime, to set up a historic opportunity in the 1998 game.