A Tough Loss for USC, in Quite a Few Ways

After the USC game, The Times writers took the Heisman away from Troy Aikman because he couldn’t put the ball in the end zone. It didn’t matter that the Bruins were hurt by penalties, that a beautifully placed pass in the corner of the end zone wasn’t caught or that he had a great passing game.

In the Notre Dame game, Rodney Peete had a third and 3 at the Notre Dame 33 and overthrew his receiver; had it first and goal at the 4 and didn’t get the touchdown; and in the waning minutes reached the 10 and didn’t score.

Yet Bob Oates infers that Heisman voters should overlook this game and still cast their votes for Peete. What is the difference between Aikman’s and Peete’s performances except 1 week and the fact that Peete plays for the “beloved” Trojans?

ALBERT CANEDO

Yucaipa