The USC football program mourned the loss of former player and assistant coach Craig Fertig, who died Saturday morning of kidney failure in Newport Beach, before and after its 44-10 win over Oregon.

Before kickoff, USC held a moment of silence. After the game, head coach Pete Carroll opened his postgame press conference by saying, "Today, the Trojan family got hit in a big way."

"We're gonna miss Craig."

Fertig was known for his special sense of humor and for throwing the game-winning touchdown pass to Rod Sherman in USC's come-from-behind win over unbeaten, top-ranked Notre Dame in 1964.