COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DAILY REPORT : USC : Davis’ Returns Are Difficult to Top

Curtis Conway passed Anthony Davis to move to the top of USC’s all-time kickoff-return yardage list last Saturday, returning two kicks for 140 yards and a touchdown during a 23-13 victory over Arizona State.

But Davis’ statistics are still more impressive.

Davis, runner-up to Ohio State’s Archie Griffin in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1974, averaged 34 yards and scored an NCAA-record six touchdowns on kickoff returns. As a senior in 1974, he averaged 42.5 yards per return, an NCAA record.

Conway has averaged 24.8 yards and scored one touchdown.

Stanford Coach Bill Walsh, whose team will play 11th-ranked USC on Saturday at Palo Alto, has been pleased with the development of backup inside linebacker Toby Norwood, a former walk-on who is generously listed at 6 feet 3, 215 pounds.

“Norwood’s not a surprise--he’s a revelation,” Walsh said. “He’s dynamite. That (listed weight of) 215 is closer to his IQ than anything else.”