Ervins Helps Keep Redskins Unbeaten : Interconference: Rookie from USC has 133 rushing yards and scores twice in 42-17 victory over Browns.

At first, it looked like the day would become Art Monk’s personal showcase, but it turned out that rookie running back Ricky Ervins was the Washington Redskins’ unlikely star in a 42-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns Sunday.

Monk moved past Charlie Joiner and into second place on the all-time NFL receiving list with the 751st reception of his career--a 14-yard first-quarter touchdown pass from Mark Rypien. Monk caught six of his seven passes in the first half as the Redskins (7-0) built a 21-7 lead.

But when the Browns (2-4) closed to within 21-17 and Redskin running back Earnest Byner left with a hand injury, Redskin Coach Joe Gibbs turned to Ervins. The third-round draft pick from USC and Muir High in Pasadena responded with a 46-yard kickoff return, 133 rushing yards in 13 carries and touchdown runs of 12 and 65 yards.

“He really made big plays for us all the way,” Gibbs said. “He got in there and picked us up. He’s a big-time back.”

Said Ervins: “I was just trying to relieve Earnest and do the best job I could. The kickoff return gave me a lot of confidence.”

With Washington clinging to a 21-17 lead, Ervins set up his first touchdown run with his 46-yard kickoff return to the Cleveland 46.

Ervins then ran 15 yards to the Cleveland 31 and ran in from the 12 two plays later.

After the Redskin defense stiffened and pushed Cleveland out of field-goal range on the Browns’ next possession, Washington added another touchdown on a one-yard plunge by Gerald Riggs with 8:10 left in the fourth quarter.

The Redskins’ final touchdown came on Ervins’ long run.

Cleveland Coach Bill Belichick came away impressed with Washington’s personnel.

“They have so many good guys there,” he said. “They can beat you a lot of ways, even when one guy goes down.”

After Monk’s 14-yard touchdown reception, Cleveland tied the score, 7-7, with 14:35 elapsed in the first quarter on an 11-yard, fake field-goal touchdown pass from punter Brian Hansen to wide receiver Webster Slaughter.

The Browns had lined up for a field goal, with Hansen holding, and Slaughter appeared to be running off the field. But as Hansen took the snap, Slaughter sprinted down the sideline and caught Hansen’s pass in the end zone.

It was the first time Washington had allowed an opponent to score in RFK Stadium this season. The Redskins had shutouts in their first three home games.

Washington took a 14-7 lead on its next possession when Riggs capped a 72-yard drive with a one-yard run.

The Redskins opened their 21-7 halftime advantage on a 21-yard touchdown run by Byner. The scoring run capped a 96-yard drive, Washington’s longest scoring march of the season.

The Redskins used a seven-yard pass to Ricky Sanders and a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty on Cleveland’s James Jones to move the ball to their own 33. On the next play, Monk beat Frank Minnifield and caught a 46-yard pass from Rypien to set up Byner’s run.

“Monk is tough,” Minnifield said. “They run so many people at you, you just have to line up man to man and go.”

The Browns came back with a 26-yard field goal by Matt Stover and a touchdown off a fumble to close to within 21-17 with eight minutes left in the third quarter.