USC opens spring football practice today with...

USC opens spring football practice today with its primary concern being the replacement of quarterback Rodney Peete. Junior Pat O’Hara and redshirt freshman Todd Marinovich are the leading candidates.

USC Coach Larry Smith has 18 returning starters from last year’s Pacific 10 Conference champions, but cornerback Marvin Pollard and offensive linemen Brent Parkinson are academically ineligible and are attending community colleges.

Others who will miss all, or part of spring practice are wide receiver John Jackson, cornerback Ernest Spears, who are with the Trojan baseball team; strong safety Cleveland Colter, who is recovering from knee surgery; outside linebacker Craig Hartsuyker, who has a broken bone in his foot, and fullback Leroy Holt, who has been excused to concentrate on school work.