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Erny Pinckert

Halfback

Inducted 1957

Date of Birth

5/1/1907

Birthplace

Medford, WI

School

University of Southern California (1929-1931)

Bio

Southern Cal coach Howard Jones knew he had an unusual offensive weapon in halfback Erny Pinckert, so it was no surprise when Jones inserted a few tricks into his offense to suit Pinckert's talents. The dividends were a couple of Rose Bowl victories. The first of the big bowl triumphs came at the end of the 1929 season. The Trojans were playing Tulane when Pinckert pulled a pair of double reverses that produced touchdown runs of 30 and 27 yards in a 21-12 USC victory. Two years later, Pinckert was being used primarily as a blocking back, and the Trojans had ripped off nine straight victories after a season-opening loss to St. Mary's. Then came the Rose Bowl and a date with the Pitt Panthers. Unexpectedly, Jones went to a passing game with quarterback Russ Saunders looking to Pinckert with regular success. The result was a 47-14 Trojan rout of the Panthers. Pinckert was the USC backfield ace in 1929, when the Trojans averaged 41 points a game, out-scoring the competition 447-55. Pinckert never let up, gathering first-team All-America honors after the 1930 and 1931 seasons.