COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : USC : Notre Dame Pass Rush Is Praised

Coach John Robinson compares the pass rush Trojan quarterback Rob Johnson will face Saturday at Notre Dame to those of Penn State and Arizona, who effectively closed down USC’s passing game in beating the Trojans.

“Notre Dame’s defensive line is as good as Penn State’s and Arizona’s, but not as quick as Arizona’s. They’re stronger than Penn State’s line. They don’t blitz much, they just send those four powerful guys after you.”

The four are Brian Hamilton (6 feet 3, 275 pounds), Jim Flanigan (6-2, 276), Renaldo Wynn (6-3, 230) and Bryant Young (6-3, 277). They are a major reason why Notre Dame (7-0) has the nation’s No. 8 defense.

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Oregon State Coach Jerry Pettibone, after watching USC wide receiver Johnnie Morton score three touchdowns in Saturday’s 34-9 victory: “Johnnie Morton is one of the finest receivers I’ve seen in 28 years of coaching college football. I came out here in 1973 and saw Lynn Swann. Morton is in the same class.”