USC Football : Trojans Face Old Problem: How to Run on Spartans

As USC begins practice today for its Jan. 1 Rose Bowl game against Michigan State, a problem that existed in September is still evident: How to crack the Spartans’ sophisticated defense against running plays?

USC gained only 61 yards rushing while losing to Michigan State, 27-13, in a season-opening game Sept. 7 at East Lansing, Mich.

USC Coach Larry Smith said he thought at the time that his offense did a poor job of attacking the Spartans in that game.

As it turned out, though, he had plenty of company. The Spartans held 11 opponents to an average of 61.5 yards rushing a game, leading the nation in that category.

“It’s the toughest defense I’ve ever seen,” Smith said Thursday. “They not only stop the run, they kill it. The defense is specifically designed to stop the I-formation.”

Smith said that Michigan State Coach George Perles’ defense forces an opponent into a guessing game.

“They’re usually able to get a couple of people free up front because they do a lot of slanting and twisting,” Smith said. “They tie up two blockers with one guy. It’s a very difficult defense to block.

“It’s going to help us from the standpoint that we’ve seen it. However, I look around the country and how people have attacked it and nobody’s dented it yet.”

Michigan State, which finished the regular season with an 8-2-1 record, lost only to Notre Dame, 31-8, and Florida State, 31-3, and tied Illinois, 14-14. But Smith pointed out that the Irish scored most of their points against the Spartans with their defense and special teams.

Florida State was the only team, he said, that managed to get outside on the Spartan defense, making some big plays.

USC will be attacking Michigan State without tailback Steven Webster, a 1,000-yard rusher, who underwent knee surgery after he was injured against UCLA Nov. 21. Webster missed the first game with the Spartans because of a sprained ankle.

So freshman Scott Lockwood will most likely start at tailback, backed up by another freshman, Ricky Ervins, with fullback Ryan Knight expected to fill in at the position.

“Scott and Ricky aren’t as quick as Steve but their reactions are better now than they were at the start of the season,” Smith said, adding that there’s a possibility USC may use some option plays orchestrated by quarterback Rodney Peete in an effort to counteract MSU’s defense.

Smith said that the Spartans’ 4-3 defense has some of the basic concepts of the Dallas Cowboys’ flex defense, creating some confusion among the blockers.

But Smith said he’s glad his team is getting an opportunity for redemption.

“Any time a team beats me, I can’t wait to play them again,” Smith said.

The Pacific 10 Conference has made a habit of beating the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl, winning 6 straight games and 12 of the last 13.

Asked to comment on that domination, Smith said: “I haven’t thought much about it. They’re the people who have to be worried about that. We’re not the ones under that stigma.”

Even though the Trojans are home for the Rose Bowl game, Smith wants to create a bowl atmosphere for his team.

So USC will stay at a hotel in Anaheim a week before the game and will practice at Rams Park.

“We wanted to do something different,” Smith said. “The players have practiced here for four or five months. We wanted to get away, and there’s a lot of activity in the area.”

Trojan Notes USC will practice through this weekend, then take next week off for final examinations before resuming drills Dec. 20. . . . Coach Larry Smith said there’s a chance that senior linebacker Rex Moore will play in the Rose Bowl game. Moore suffered a broken leg against Michigan State in the first game but he’s working out now. . . . Smith said he doesn’t know enough of the facts to determine reserve safety Jeff Maree’s status for the Rose Bowl game. Maree will be arraigned Jan. 5 in Rio Hondo Municipal Court for allegedly kidnaping his former girlfriend. . . . USC trailed Michigan State, 10-6, at halftime Sept. 7, but the Trojans committed three turnovers--five for the game--in the third quarter that helped the Spartans to a 27-13 victory. . . . On Jan. 1, 1988, USC will begin its celebration of the 100th anniversary of the school’s football program.