USC Hopes 6-5 Is Not a Mirage

Pageantry is usually secondary to an event, but there are some exceptions, such as the Mirage Bowl game Saturday at Olympic Memorial Stadium.

Japanese fans, the majority of whom are not knowledgeable about American college football, will dutifully cheer on cue the USC and Oregon football teams.

But their genuine enthusiasm will be reserved for the USC and Grambling State University bands and the song girls from each school.

It’s a unique experience for everyone involved, and a crowd of 72,000 is anticipated for Saturday’s game (2 p.m. in Tokyo, 9 p.m. Friday PST).

The Pacific 10 game doesn’t have any bearing on the conference race. That’s already been decided. But it is meaningful to both the Trojans and Ducks.

They have identical 5-5 records and are striving for winning seasons. There’s probably a little more at stake for the Trojans, who’ll prolong their season with an Aloha Bowl game Dec. 28 against, probably, Alabama at Honolulu.

USC doesn’t want the stigma of going into a bowl game with a losing record. That’s a distinct possibility because USC is coming off an emotionally draining 17-13 win over UCLA, and Oregon has a productive offense that is challenging to any opponent.

Asked to comment on the possibility of his team taking a 5-6 record into the Aloha Bowl, Coach Ted Tollner said:

“If you’re afraid of the pressure, you shouldn’t be in the business. I look at it as an opportunity that we can’t pass up just because we don’t have the record people think we should have. It’s a crime not to take advantage of an opportunity just because people might be critical.”

Although Oregon has a formidable offense, Rich Brooks’ Ducks have been betrayed by their defense this season, allowing an average of 438.2 total yards and 28 points a game, including a 63-0 thrashing by Nebraska earlier in the season.

Oregon, though, has quality players at the skill positions. Quarterback Chris Miller, flanker Lew Barnes and tailback Tony Cherry are All-Pac-10 selections.

“Oregon has a tremendously explosive offense, and that worries us,” USC Coach Ted Tollner said. “They can score rapidly. For us, it’s an opportunity for a winning season that is more significant now that we’ve accepted a bowl bid.”

Miller, a mobile quarterback, has completed 55.8% of his passes for 2,181 yards--just 210 yards behind school record-holder Dan Fouts. Miller has thrown 18 touchdown passes this season, a school record.

Cherry, a stocky, 5-8 tailback, is the Pac-10’s second-leading rusher. He has rushed for an average of 107.5 yards a game and needs 164 yards Saturday to surpass Washington State’s Rueben Mayes for the league rushing title.

Barnes is a big-play performer. He has caught 48 passes for an average of 16.2 yards a catch.

USC’s offense, which was stodgy earlier in the season, has been revived by quarterback Rodney Peete. The redshirt freshman made big plays in a 20-17 loss to Washington and disrupted UCLA’s defense on a late, game-winning drive with a clever quarterback draw and a fourth-down rollout that produced a first down at the Bruin three-yard line. And he scored the winning touchdown on a one-yard sneak with 1:13 remaining.

“We used to be able to gang up on the tailback and fullback and worry about the pass, but now we have to think about containing the quarterback on the perimeter,” Brooks said. “That gives the defense a lot more problems. We’re telling our defense that they must be contain-conscious.”

Although both teams have the same records, Brooks doesn’t believe that it is an even game.

“Although Peete is young and inexperienced, he gives USC a tremendous threat and a talent at that position, not only now but for the future,” Brooks said. “That should open up their offense a great deal. And USC’s offensive line is the best we’ve faced.”

The Trojans and Ducks are friendly rivals, and there will be an added element, a brother versus brother rivalry in the game.

James FitzPatrick, USC’s senior offensive tackle, will line up at times against his younger brother, Devon, a reserve defensive tackle and nose guard.

“It seems strange that we’ve come 11,000 miles to finally play against each other,” James said. “We’ve always had a sibling rivalry and used to really go at each other when we were younger. We didn’t pull any punches. Devon has a really bad temper, and I’m more mellow. Although I was a lot bigger, he never backed off from me. Things sort of evened out, my size (6-8, 280 now) against his temper. It was a toe-to-toe thing.”

Devon, a redshirt freshman, has grown up a bit--to 6-4 and 239 pounds.

Trojan Notes

Ushers will hold up signs for the Japanese fans instructing them when to cheer, applaud, or whatever, at the game. Fans will also be provided with pompons, cardinal and gold for the Trojans, emerald green and yellow for the Ducks, to make them designated rooters. . . . But the real entertainment will be provided before the game and during a 45-minute halftime by the USC and Grambling bands along with the song girls. Although the fans may not be familiar with the nuances of football, some Japanese reporters are very knowledgeable. Ted Tollner was questioned intently at a recent practice session by Japanese sportswriters, who asked such questions as whether his job is now secure since he beat UCLA, who comes off the bench in a nickel defense and what prompted him to promote Rodney Peete over Sean Salisbury. . . . Ryan Knight will start at tailback again. The sophomore from Riverside had a career-high 147 yards rushing against UCLA, the most yardage the Bruins have yielded to any runner this year. . . . Tailback Aaron Emanuel, who has been inactive since the Washington State game Nov. 2 with a sprained ankle, will be available. But nose guard Tony Colorito and offensive guard Tom Hallock won’t play. They’re hobbled by ankle injuries. . . . Fred Crutcher, USC’s senior tailback, played only briefly against UCLA. He was suffering from the flu but has apparently recovered now. . . . USC will petition the conference for redshirt years for tight end Paul Green and outside linebacker Greg Coauette, who have missed most of the season with ankle injuries. . . . James FitzPatrick on Peete: “He just puts a lot of pressure on the defense. Most defenses don’t account for the quarterback. He forces you to defend him. He can hurt you all over the place. He’s fast and smart and he loves to tuck in that ball and go. But he also has the poise to stay back in the pocket. He’s a tremendous asset.”