USC Hopes to Break Wishbone

With the attention in USC’s practices this week focused on stopping Oregon State’s wishbone running offense today in the Coliseum, someone finally asked Coach John Robinson about the Beavers’ passing game.

“If we don’t stop their running game, we won’t have to worry about their passing game,” he said.

“They gained 667 yards running against Pacific. Why would anyone throw the ball when you’re gaining 667 yards running?”

So with the wishbone cast in the lead role, USC, 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Pacific 10 Conference, will try to win its second consecutive game for the first time this season.

In its last two games, lopsided victories over Arizona State and Pacific, Oregon State (3-3, 1-2) has gained 1,086 yards. So Robinson didn’t check with Arizona State or Pacific on how to stop the wishbone.

Don Lindsey, the Trojans’ defensive coordinator, had his scout team, directed by Reggie Perry, simulating the wishbone without a ball.

“I wanted our defensive guys going after the people they’re assigned to,” Lindsey said. “I don’t want to hear, ‘Coach, I thought the other guy had the ball.’ ”

Oregon State also faces a considerable defensive challenge.

Trojan quarterback Rob Johnson completed 28 of 36 passes in USC’s 24-13 victory at Oregon last week, his fourth 75% completion game this season.

Johnson, a junior from El Toro, completed 15 consecutive passes at one point in the first half last Saturday. In the second quarter alone, he completed 12 of 14 for 198 yards.

With a completion rate of 70.5%, Johnson is on track to break the Pac-10 single-season record of Cal’s Rich Campbell, 70.7%, set in 1980.

Johnson has thrown only two interceptions this season, but today he faces a secondary that is tied for the national lead--with Penn State, Kentucky and Louisville--with 14 interceptions.

His favorite receiver, Johnnie Morton, will become USC’s all-time reception leader today if he catches four passes. He became No. 1 in reception yardage at Oregon and can also pass John Jackson (1990-92) in catches today. Jackson had 163.

The two latest additions to USC’s injury list are linebacker Joe Barry, who has a knee problem, and wide receiver Ed Hervey, who has an injured foot. They join injured offensive tackle Tony Boselli, offensive guard Joel Crisman and kicker Cole Ford on the sidelines.

Oregon State has injury problems at quarterback, which will give redshirt freshman Rahim Muhammad of Fairfax High a chance to play today. In his first play of the season last week against Pacific, Muhammad ran 63 yards.

The status of starting quarterback Don Shanklin is a doubtful because of a sprained foot, and backup Ian Shields is listed as questionable because of an ankle sprain.

The most productive runner in Coach Jerry Pettibone’s wishbone is J.J. Young, who is averaging 8.8 yards per carry. Chad Paulson is averaging 7.0, John Young 4.1.

Not much is anticipated in the way of an Oregon State passing game, unless USC shuts down the wishbone. Oregon State has thrown only 55 passes in six games.

USC has won its last 19 games against Oregon State. The Beavers haven’t beaten USC in the Coliseum since 1960, 14-0.