Notes on a Scorecard - Sept. 13, 1993

Well, the Rams certainly have had their ups and downs this long NFL season. . . . The 57-point improvement in one week from a 36-6 defeat against the Green Bay Packers to a 27-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers is the biggest in Los Angeles Ram history. . . . Who needs Kevin Greene at linebacker when you’ve got Tom Homco? . . .

Many in the crowd at Anaheim Stadium rooted for the Steelers, bringing back memories of Super Bowl XIV at the Rose Bowl, when Pittsburgh fans made more noise than L.A. fans. But a lot of Steeler rooters showed they have become true Southern Californians by leaving early in the fourth quarter. . . .

Rookie Jerome Bettis did nothing to dispel the notion that he soon will be starting in the Ram backfield. . . .

Chuck Knox decided to outfit his team in white jerseys at home this season, something George Allen used to do at the Coliseum. . . .

Like clockwork, every 49 years the Rams bounce back from a humiliating loss to Green Bay to wallop the Steelers. In the World War II year of 1944, the Cleveland Rams were defeated by the Packers, 42-7, and then beat a combination Steeler-Chicago Cardinal team, 33-6, the next week. . . .

One-word description of the Raiders’ 17-13 win over Seattle: Workmanlike. . . .

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I hate ties, but I wouldn’t have blamed USC Coach John Robinson if he had gone for one Saturday at Penn State. . . .

The Trojans were outplayed most of the day, but could have come out of State College, Pa., with something if they had kicked the extra point with 37 seconds to play instead of attempting the two-point conversion that failed. . . .

Like last year, USC can’t rush the ball consistently or stop the rush. . . .

Perhaps the two greatest receivers in USC history were in Beaver Stadium--ABC commentator Lynn Swann and Johnnie Morton, who made his weekly incredible catch on the two-yard line to set up the final touchdown. . . .

A prevent defense nearly prevented the Nittany Lions from winning. . . .

At 1-0, Penn State is alone atop the Big Ten Conference standings. . . .

However, Ohio State could be the class of the conference. The Buckeyes’ lines have been awesome against Rice and Washington. . . .

Lou Holtz of Notre Dame might have done his best coaching ever Monday through Saturday of Michigan week. . . .

The Irish have a great cornerback in sophomore Bobby Taylor, whose father Robert was a silver medalist in the 100 meters and gold medalist for the U.S. 400-meter relay team in the 1972 Olympic Games. . . .

The Heisman Trophy is Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward’s to lose. . . .

San Diego State, which rushed for only 41 yards against California, obviously needs help at tailback. . . .

Now maybe capacity crowds will return to Oklahoma, which didn’t even have a sellout for its 44-14 upset of fifth-ranked Texas A&M.; . . .

Weekly time of possession statistic: Final score: Florida State 57, Clemson 0. Time of possession: Clemson 33:06, Florida State 27:31. . . .

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Pernell Whitaker-Julio Cesar Chavez ranks up there with Sugar Ray Robinson-Gene Fullmer among the worst draws ever in a championship fight. . . .

Robinson won 10 of the 15 rounds on many unofficial cards in 1960 at the L.A. Sports Arena, but Fullmer retained his National Boxing Assn. middleweight title when the officials called it even. . . .

Whitaker won eight of the 12 rounds on many unofficial cards Friday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, and at least he got to retain his World Boxing Council welterweight title on a draw. . . .

A controversial decision benefiting promoter Don King and setting up a lucrative rematch? What a shock. . . .

I can’t see how Chavez, older and lighter than Whitaker, will be more competitive the next time. Maybe Whitaker will win 13 of the 12 rounds and be awarded a split decision. . . .

What surprised me most was that Whitaker was the stronger fighter down the stretch. I gave Chavez three of the first four rounds when he was connecting often to the body. But Whitaker then took complete control, keeping Chavez off balance with quick right jabs and combinations. . . .

Whitaker dominated inside and outside. He got off his punches first and never turned it into the track meet that had been widely anticipated. . . .

Switzerland remained neutral when the official from that boxing-mad country scored it 115-115. . . .

You will be able to judge for yourself Saturday at 10 p.m. or Sunday at noon when the replay is shown on Showtime.