Smith Not Happy as USC Ends Spring Drills

USC held a spring football scrimmage Saturday at the Coliseum before a few thousand fans and Coach Larry Smith is hopeful that it wasn’t a preview of next season’s team.

“I’ve never had so much slop (penalties),” Smith said. “We’re not a good team right now. Our execution was terrible.”

He was specifically referring to the offense in the 121-play game-type scrimmage. A major portion of the problem is that six offensive starters weren’t available because of injuries, academic difficulties, or competing in other sports.

Quarterback Rodney Peete and wide receiver John Jackson are on the baseball team; fullback Leroy Holt is academically ineligible, and tailback Steven Webster and offensive linemen Brent Parkinson and Brad Leggett are sidelined with injuries.

Moreover, offensive tackle Chuck Ebertin disclocated a kneecap in the scrimmage, and tight end Paul Green went down with a knee injury that will require arthroscopic surgery.

With Peete absent, sophomore quarterbacks Pat O’Hara and Shane Foley operated on opposing teams. O’Hara completed 8 of 21 passes for 121 yards and 1 touchdown, while Foley completed 8 of 22 for 97 yards and 1 touchdown with two interceptions.

Touchdowns were scored by tailback Ricky Ervins on runs of 32 and 4 yards, by Aaron Emanuel, making his debut at fullback, on a 7-yard run, and by Gary Wellman and Erik Affholter, on receptions of 15 and 8 yards, respectively.