Trojans Are Just About Out of Wide Receivers

There is usually a bonus for teams appearing in bowl games: Most of the players who were injured during the regular season have had sufficient time to recuperate.

But USC, which will play Alabama next Saturday in the Aloha Bowl at Honolulu, seems to be losing more players than it is getting back from the injured list.

The wide receiving corps has been hit particularly hard. It began when flanker Randy Tanner had knee surgery after the Notre Dame game. Then, Gene Arrington went down with a knee injury late in the season.

There was, of course, an unexpected development when Coach Ted Tollner announced earlier this week that Hank Norman, the school’s all-time leading receiver, had been dismissed from the team for personal reasons.

Al Washington, Tanner’s replacement, is the latest casualty. He has suffered torn cartilage in his knee and may not be able to play extensively against Alabama.

So Tollner is left with junior Lonnie White, sophomore Ken Henry and freshman Erik Affholter, who have a grand total of one reception among them.

The list goes on.

Tailback Fred Crutcher and nose guard Tony Colorito have had surgery for shoulder and ankle injuries, respectively.

Guard Tom Hallock is out of the Aloha Bowl with an ankle injury.

Fullback Todd Steele, who usually alternates with Kennedy Pola, is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Pola, a senior, who has chronic knee problems, hasn’t been able to practice at full speed.

So Tollner is doing some shuffling. Zeph Lee, a tailback, is filling in at fullback, and tailback Ryan Knight may be used at the position in an emergency.

But Knight probably will be needed at tailback. Freshman Aaron Emanuel has missed practice sessions because of an ankle injury and his concern for his mother, who is ill.

There is a possibility, though, that quarterback Sean Salisbury, who is now backing up Rodney Peete, may be able to play in the Aloha Bowl. Salisbury separated his right shoulder in the Mirage Bowl game against Oregon at Tokyo Nov. 30.

Also on the positive side, tailback Steve Webster, who has been inactive most of the season with a sprained ankle, may be available for the game.

“We thought we would be at a stronger point in depth with the time off. Instead, we’re not,” Tollner said. “But when you have only one football game left to play, you readjust and get a guy to play this position or that position.

“It isn’t as depressing from a coaching standpoint as if we were at midseason and wondering how we’d get make it through the season.”

Tollner said his team is upbeat about the prospect of playing Alabama (8-2-1).

“The attitude is positive,” he said. “We’re not going to let our 6-5 record put us in the doldrums. There is an upbeat attitude about having one more opportunity, and we want to make the most of it.”

Tollner again chose not to say why Norman has been dropped from the team and he explained his position.

“I think when you have an individual problem on a team, there has to be some confidentiality to it,” he said. “I’m very disappointed for Hank at this point because he’s more than just USC’s leading receiver. In my mind, he’s a very fine young man and gives us more than just receptions.

“He has an attitude that rubs off in a positive way in practices and games because he likes to play football. He is a genuine, enthusiastic player.”

Norman has not publicly revealed why he was dismissed from the team, nor has he returned phone calls from inquiring reporters. Tollner said that he has talked with Norman and that the wide receiver told him that he didn’t want to be involved with the media.

Trojan Notes Ted Tollner and his staff have been recruiting while preparing USC for the Aloha Bowl game. The Pacific 10 recently penalized USC by depriving the school of four scholarships in 1986 and three in 1987. That was the result of USC’s involvement in the illegal recruiting of linebacker Dan Quinn of Encinitas San Dieguito High, who is now at Notre Dame. Tollner said he has had to explain the facts to recruits, many of whom were under the impression that the school’s probation included bowl and TV sanctions. Such is not the case. . . . Although USC will be opposing Alabama with inexperienced wide receivers, Tollner said that he won’t restrict his offense. “We can’t play the game in a sand box. Alabama’s defense is too good,” he said. “Our young players will have to make plays. We can’t beat them if there is nothing more to our offense than just handing the ball off.”