Stanford’s Paye Pays Price With His Shoulder

Stanford quarterback John Paye played in pain in a 30-6 loss to USC Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum.

Paye, under attack from USC’s crushing pass rush for most of the game, suffered a separation in his right shoulder on Stanford’s first offensive series when he threw a four-yard shovel pass to tailback Kevin Scott on the Cardinal’s third play. Paye, injured when he was thrown to the ground, said he didn’t know who hit him.

But most in the crowd of 56,837 probably left without knowing that Paye had been hurt.

Paye remained in the game until the fourth quarter. He left after he scored the Cardinal’s only touchdown, on a one-yard run 1 minute and 35 seconds into the quarter.

Paye completed 21 of 39 passes for 144 yards and no touchdowns with one interception.

He will be X-rayed today or Monday, and it is uncertain whether he will be able to play next week against Arizona.

“On a grade level of 1 to 3, it’s a 2,” said Dr. Don Bunce, the former Stanford quarterback who is now the team physician. “He can throw--it’s just very painful.

“He’s going to be real painful tomorrow. We’ll take another look at him in practice this week before deciding whether he can play next week.”

But after the game, Paye was talking as if he intended to play next week, separated shoulder or not.

“I’m not hurt for good. I just know it hurts right now,” Paye said. “I’m going to be back next week. I wasn’t sure when it happened. I think it was the third play of the game. They were putting a lot of pressure on me. Part of playing quarterback is that you’ve got to get hit after you throw the ball.”

It was the second straight time that Paye has been injured against the Trojans.

He strained the right tendon in the middle finger of his right hand against USC last season.

Stanford has a young, inexperienced offensive line, and it didn’t do a very good job of protecting Paye against the Trojans. Paye was sacked four times for 28 yards.

Stanford used its running backs to block for Paye to give him greater time to throw, but that gave the Cardinal fewer receivers.

“It was frustrating because we didn’t execute like we’re capable,” said Stanford running back Thomas Henley. “We’re capable of greater things.”

Said fullback Brian Morris, who filled in for injured starter Brad Muster: “Our offensive line had trouble with their pass blocking. It’s just a matter of us not being very physical up front. If we can’t block four guys, we’re in trouble.

“The fact that we’re not giving the quarterback enough time is frustrating. It’s almost like we’ve got to start attacking instead of being passive.

“You’ve got to remember that this is a young team and we’re building for next year. It’s obvious that we’re not going to a bowl game this season.”

Paye said he was dazed when sacked by outside linebacker Marcus Cotton for a 19-yard loss on the final play of the second quarter.

“I got hit (by Cotton) and I really didn’t know where I was,” Paye said. “I don’t think I had that much zip on the ball that I normally do.

“What we were trying to do was keep the backs in to block so we’d have more time to throw. We needed a big play.

“I don’t really feel like I’m gun-shy at all. The amount of shots I’ve taken this season isn’t any more than the season before.”

It was Stanford’s fifth straight loss after an opening win over San Jose State. UCLA defeated Stanford, 34-9, last week in Palo Alto.

“Sure it’s frustrating,” said Stanford offensive guard Andy Sinclair. “But you can’t get used to losing. We’ve had a lot of injuries but we’re not going to get down.”

Asked to compare the Trojans to the Bruins, Paye said: “They’re both talented defenses, but I’d say USC hits a little harder. USC is more physical. Their defense was more physical than our offense.”

Said Stanford Coach Jack Elway: “USC and UCLA are very comparable. Defensively, they’re both outstanding football teams. Coming in, I thought UCLA might have the edge offensively, but I can’t argue with how USC executed today. It’s just hard to determine who’s better at this point.

“USC is a physical team. They got it together offensively today. We were overwhelmed by their defensive front which resulted in erratic play on offense. We couldn’t seem to get the passing game on track and we couldn’t establish a running game, but we didn’t expect to. They’re an excellent football team.”

Quarterback Fred Buckley, who replaced Paye, said: “USC is an excellent defensive team. I think USC has a better secondary than UCLA, not that UCLA has a bad secondary. I was just impressed with USC.”