As for Players, They Take It Personally

The players on the UCLA and USC teams are very much concerned about pride. For them, this game is personal. Here are some of their comments:

Tom Cox, USC, senior center--”I have never beaten them, and this is a chance of a lifetime because I don’t want to go through life never having beaten them.”

Mark Walen, UCLA fifth-year senior defensive tackle--”In the ‘80s, in conference play, we’ve won more football games than anybody else. We’ve kind of made people forget about thinking of UCLA as a basketball school. They recognize us as a football power. . . . I picked up The Times this morning and saw USC being given the role of a spoiler. That’s incredible. Going into the season, I really thought that this would be the game for the Rose Bowl.”

Hank Norman, USC senior split end--”I can’t go home to Long Beach because Dennis Price and Chuckie Miller (UCLA defensive backs and former teammates at Long Beach Poly High) have bragging rights. I want to go home Saturday night.”

James Washington, UCLA sophomore free safety--”I approach this game as business. Very important business. This is a game that you can take personally. I played with some of the USC guys in high school. It feels good to be part of such a big rivalry. But, first of all, it’s the game that we have to win to get back to the Rose Bowl.”

Sam Anno, USC, junior inside linebacker--”War! That’s the way I look at it. It’s a big game for me because I’m from the West Side.”

Tommy Taylor, UCLA senior inside linebacker--”I remember some of the remarks that were made by their fans in 1980 (a UCLA victory). Ever since then, I’ve wanted to beat USC, more so than playing in the Rose Bowl game. Saturday is my birthday. That ought to be enough said about what I want.”

Tom Hallock, USC, senior guard--”It’s pride more than any other game. You’re constantly reminded of the rivalry because you see T-shirts and jackets that say UCLA all over them. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth because we’ve lost three in a row. Whenever I see another UCLA jacket, I want to remember that we won the last one.”

Craig Rutledge, injured UCLA senior safety, who was wearing a T-shirt that said, “It’s That Time of Year Again” and included a scoreboard showing the last three scores--”Don’t say a thing about the T-shirt. We don’t need that in the paper. I’m not saying anything about it, and you aren’t either. I mean it. I’ll kill you.”

James FitzPatrick, USC, senior offensive tackle--”I want revenge on Saturday. The game is always exciting with both teams at their best and the crowd going wild. Everybody is going full speed.”

David Norrie, senior quarterback--”I consider it a real honor to be able to start against the Trojans. Last week, against Oregon State, I was just praying I wouldn’t get hurt so I could play in this game. When I came down from Oregon, I didn’t feel that strongly about it. But when George Achica blocked that kick (in 1981) to keep us out of the Rose Bowl, I realized what the rivalry was all about.”