Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 1, 1993

I don’t buy the rationalization that the Raiders lost to San Diego on Sunday because the game meant more to the desperate Chargers. . . .

About all a victory would have done for the Raiders was put them in a first-place tie with Kansas City in the AFC West. . . .

The Raiders are ineffective inside the 10-yard line, where they lack a rushing threat and their speedy wide receivers don’t have enough room to operate. . . .

Why did Art Shell wait until the second half and after a flub by Greg Robinson to let Rocket Ismail return kickoffs? . . .

In two opportunities, Ismail flashed the form that made him one of the best kickoff returners in college football history. . . .

Seldom since Woody Hayes’ last visit have four yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust tactics been as effective at the Coliseum as during the Chargers’ last drive that featured 5-10, 245-pound rookie running back Natrone Means and resulted in John Carney’s 38-yard field goal. . . .

Wasted was a great performance by Tim Brown, who is having the most productive year of any active Heisman Trophy winner except Barry Sanders. . . .

On Halloween, a lot of people came to the Coliseum dressed as Raider fans. . . .

For his debut in an NFL uniform, Raider running back Randy Jordan was given

No. 23. Not a bad number for a guy named Jordan. . . .

Don’t blame the Rams’ defeat on T.J. Rubley--or Jim Everett. . . .

Disregarding the strike-marred seasons of 1987 and 1982, the Rams’ 2-6 record is their worst after eight games since 1965. . . .

Who needs Dan Marino? . . . *

The injury to Dan White in the first quarter was damaging, but Arizona wouldn’t have beaten UCLA on Saturday night with Charlie Ward at quarterback. . . .

The Bruins were superior in every phase of the game, including the offensive and defensive lines. . . .

However, don’t count the Wildcats out of the Rose Bowl race yet. They can make their first New Year’s Day appearance in Pasadena if they win their three remaining games and UCLA stumbles once. No matter what it does the rest of the way, USC needs another Arizona defeat. . . .

If you compare scores against Arizona, UCLA is 51 points better than USC. . . .

If you compare scores against California, USC is 30 points better than UCLA. . . .

J.J. Stokes and Johnnie Morton are celebrating touchdown catches in the same manner--posing with hands on hips. . . .

UCLA defensive coordinator Bob Field is doing a terrific job. . . .

The Arizona roster Saturday listed 32 players from California and only 17 from Arizona. . . .

*

Among leading coach of the year candidates are Bill Snyder of Kansas State and Barry Alvarez of Wisconsin. . . .

Every time Brigham Young or Purdue scores 56 points, it loses. . . .

The visiting team has won 11 consecutive Thursday night games on ESPN. . . .

How did you like those gutty little Irish climbing off the canvas to beat Navy? . . .

Give Michigan a slight edge over Syracuse as the most disappointing team in the nation. . . .

Miami Coach Dennis Erickson probably regrets having played Frank Costa instead of Ryan Collins at quarterback against Florida State. . . .

Final score--Tennessee 55, South Carolina 3. Time of possession--South Carolina 30:41, Tennessee 29:19. . . .

Occidental and Claremont-Mudd must have gotten tired of scoring Saturday. During Oxy’s 68-42 victory, only seven points were scored in the fourth quarter. . . .

*

Researchers from UC Davis will meet with members of the horse racing industry Tuesday morning at Santa Anita to discuss the findings of a 3 1/2-year study of racehorse fatalities. . . .

Want ad: Golden State Warriors looking for five volunteers to start against Spurs in San Antonio Friday night. Apply to Mr. Don Nelson, Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland CA. . . .

There are two ways to look at Oscar De La Hoya’s performance in Phoenix Saturday night: 1) He showed vulnerability by being knocked down by journeyman Narciso Valenzuela in the first round. 2) He showed the makings of a champion when he reacted to the first crisis of his pro career by stopping Valenzuela in the same round. . . .

Tommy Morrison isn’t good enough to risk a $7.25-million payday by taking a so-called tuneup fight for $1.5 million. . . .

From KMPC broadcaster David Norrie: “They must be using the 24-second clock in the WAC.”