Quinn Could Regain Year If USC Admits Guilt

Here’s an update on the Dan Quinn football recruiting case, which resulted in an NCAA violation that was disclosed last Friday at USC:

Quinn, now a freshman linebacker at Notre Dame, lost a year’s eligibility when he was released from the national letter of intent he had signed with USC.

There is a provision, though, in the rules governing letters of intent, that such a lost year can be restored if it is determined by USC’s own admission in writing, or by a committee, that the school illegally recruited the student in question.

Quinn apparently was aware of that possibility when he signed a statement charging USC with illegally recruiting him.

Coach Ted Tollner didn’t want to discuss the recruiting issue Tuesday, saying: “I never try to avoid an uncomfortable situation and present, as we see, whatever happened. I feel we’ve already done that. The most important thing with our football team is not to get caught up in distractions.

“The facts have been presented the best we can. We just can’t keep belaboring the point, but I believe from my chair I’ve been as open as I can be and still do my job.”

USC apparently has quality depth at tailback, the focal position at the school since Morley Drury’s era in the late 20s.

But Tollner said Tuesday that he is concerned about his starting tailback, senior Fred Crutcher.

“Fred is as tough as they come, but he has been playing in tremendous pain, a lot more pain than last year,” Tollner said.

Crutcher had surgery last spring to remove calcium deposits from his left shoulder. Those deposits have built up again.

“Any time he gets a good shot on his shoulder, it shakes him,” Tollner said. “I know how tough he is, but I see him grimace and I know he’s hurting.”

Crutcher gained 89 yards in 24 carries in USC’s season-opening 20-10 win over Illinois Sept. 7. He’ll most likely start against Baylor Saturday night at the Coliseum.

Tollner’s tailback rotation has been Crutcher and Ryan Knight, with Steve Webster in a cameo role. Zeph Lee and Aaron Emanuel are awaiting their turns.

Emanuel, the highly regarded freshman from Quartz Hill High, is practicing again after having been sidelined with groin and back injuries.

Asked whether Emanuel will play this season, Tollner said: “I’m not sure. My intention is yes. We’ve got to give him work to prepare him to play.”

Tollner said that Emanuel is unquestionably talented but is still learning his assignments and how to operate smoothly from the position.

Tollner said that Knight, a freshman last season, is much more comfortable at tailback this season.

As for Lee, sort of the forgotten man of the tailback corps, Tollner said: “He is in a competitive situation with some quality people who are ahead of him.”

Baylor of the Southwest Conference is 1-1 after beating Wyoming, 39-18, and losing to Georgia, 17-14.

“We believe Baylor should be 2-0 after looking at the television tape of the Georgia game,” Tollner said. “They present multiple formation problems and have two proven quarterbacks.”

Tollner was referring to senior Tom Muecke and junior Cody Carlson, who share the playing time.

Baylor Coach Grant Teaff, in his 14th year at the school, changed the Bears’ offense this season from the I-formation to a split-back, option type of attack. On defense, Baylor operates out of a pro 4-3 defense, an alignment that USC seldom encounters.

Teaff has 16 starters back, nine on offense. Three defensive tackles have graduated, however, and a Baylor spokesman said that the team could be soft against the run. USC likes to run.

Trojan Notes Ted Tollner, on quarterback Sean Salisbury: “He is practicing as consistently as I have ever seen him. He’s ready to play some good football for USC.” . . . After a week’s layoff, Tollner said that all of his injured players should be ready for Baylor except linebacker Rex Moore, who reinjured his hamstring. . . . The Baylor game will be the first night game for the Trojans since they beat Tennessee, 43-7, in 1981. There will be a fireworks display at halftime and general admission tickets, regularly priced at $8, will be sold for $2. . . . USC and Baylor have split two previous meetings. The Trojans won, 17-8, in 1959, then Baylor won in 1960, 35-14. . . . USC has an 18-4-1 record against Southwest Conference teams, and 13 wins in the last 14 games.