Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 18, 1991

Just when you thought the Raiders had become predictable, they played a game that was decided by 24 points instead of one or three, their quarterback was nearly perfect, their defense didn’t give up a big play, and their play-calling was imaginative. . . .

The Raiders’ 31-7 victory over Seattle at the Coliseum Sunday was their most decisive since Art Shell replaced Mike Shanahan in October of 1989 and followed four games that were decided by a total of 10 points. . . .

Granted, Jay Schroeder has not always been a one-man show, but he is 51-24 as a starting NFL quarterback. . . .

The return of Marcus Allen--who can run, fake, catch, throw and block--gives the Raiders a lot more options. . . .

Now that they have swept the season series from Seattle, the Raiders are counting upon the Seahawks to help them in the AFC West race by beating Denver and Kansas City the next two weeks at the Kingdome. . . .

It got so dark and chilly at the Coliseum in the second half that the lights were turned on and the Raiderettes put on jackets. . . .

John Robinson of the Rams and the team he used to coach, USC, both are owners of five-game losing streaks. . . .

Steve DeBerg looked like the old Steve DeBerg Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. . . .

Field-goal attempts that sailed wide to the right have decided the last two battles for No. 1 in Florida. Jan. 27, Scott Norwood of the Buffalo Bills missed from 47 yards with four seconds left against the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. Saturday, Gerry Thomas of Florida State missed from 34 yards with 29 seconds left against Miami. . . .

Florida State probably would have been able to attempt a shorter field goal from a better angle, or scored a touchdown, if it had managed the clock and its timeouts better. . . .

One of the differences between pro and college football is that in college you can get away with only a 15-yard penalty for pass interference. The Miami defender did the right thing in the end zone when he fouled a Florida State receiver who would have caught the winning touchdown pass. . . .

What makes Miami’s long string of successes so unusual is that it has been achieved by three coaches--Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson. . . .

Best bowl matchup is Washington vs. Michigan in the Rose. . . .

If invitations were extended when they are supposed to be, the Sugar Bowl wouldn’t be stuck with Notre Dame. . . .

When you start a true freshman quarterback--as USC Coach Larry Smith did Saturday night with Rob Johnson against Arizona--you must live with the consequences. . . .

USC’s upset of Penn State seems more staggering every week. . . .

The way UCLA played against Oregon, it must have been looking ahead to the 3-7 Trojans. . . .

The 46,000 who saw California beat Arizona State at Berkeley was the biggest crowd for a Pacific 10 Conference game Saturday. . . .

If the UCLA basketball team can retain the form it showed in its opening night victory over Indiana, the Bruins will be difficult to keep out of the Final Four. . . .

Jim Harrick’s Bruins were much quicker than Bobby Knight’s Hoosiers. Also smarter, stronger, and more enthusiastic. . . .

Bert Cooper is not a suitable opponent for heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and the show scheduled for Saturday should have been called off after Francesco Damiani pulled out. . . .

Out of the Eerie, Ind., file: Leon Spinks knocked out Lupe Guerra in the third round in Gary, Ind., Friday night. . . .

Among the biggest upsets of the weekend was East Los Angeles 139-pounder Oscar de la Hoya’s first defeat in international competition, a decision loss to Marko Rudolph of Germany in the second round of the World Amateur Boxing Championship. . . .

R.D. Hubbard should have said no to Roger Newell when the racing consumer advocate suggested the playing of music during the post parades at Hollywood Park. . . .

King Coach Tom Webster, 43, needs to grow up. . . .

Webster, who recently missed three games because of flu, undoubtedly will miss some more because of a suspension after his annual stick-throwing incident Saturday night at the Forum. . . .

Is the San Diego State-BYU game over yet?