Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 22, 1993

The Raiders should have won by a larger margin Sunday. . . .

That is a marked improvement over the Sundays when they should have won, period. . . .

“The Raiders are an enigma,” NBC studio commentator Mike Ditka said at halftime. “They’re going to find some way to screw this up, I’m sure.” . . .

The defense made sure they didn’t find a way. . . .

Raider running back Greg Robinson, picked out of Northeast Louisiana on the eighth round and 206th overall, has developed into one of the bargains of the 1993 draft. . . .

It was the Raiders’ fourth consecutive victory at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, where they receive considerable fan support. . . .

The Chargers’ biggest problem is the offensive line, not quarterback. . . .

There can be no Ram quarterback controversy now. T.J. Rubley must be given the start the rest of the season. . . .

And here I thought the only thing you could count on anymore in the NFL was a Dallas victory. . . .

Jerry Glanville over Jimmy Johnson has to rank among the biggest upsets of any season, injuries or not. . . .

However, look for the Cowboys to win the next time they play in Atlanta--Jan. 30 in the Super Bowl. . . .

Watch out for the New York Jets, who are starting to get results that match their talent. . . .

Who needs the Fridge when you have Ironhead? . . .

Look-alikes: Jeff Hostetler, Dave Wannstedt, and former NBA player Bill Hanzlik. . . .

No wonder Terry Donahue calls the UCLA-USC game “the Classic.” . . .

The last five renewals of the cross-town series have been decided by a total of 13 points and the Bruins’ 27-21 victory Saturday was the most decisive during that span. . . .

Who could have asked for anything more than a game that was played in 79-degree weather under clear skies in front of 93,458 and wasn’t decided until the final minute? . . .

“The game was everything it was supposed to be,” John Robinson said. “The men on both teams were big time today. I’m glad I was here.” . . .

The rap on Donahue in Rose Bowl-deciding games against USC was that he was too conservative. . . .

Not this time. . . .

The Bruins passed on first down 14 times even though they were able to average 4.6 yards per rush. . . .

Marvin Goodwin made the game-saving interception and Donovan Gallatin sacked Rob Johnson three times, but the most effective defensive player probably was Bruin linebacker Jamir Miller. . . .

Donahue, who so many alums said had grown stale after the Bruins lost their first two games, deserves to be voted Pacific 10 Conference coach of the year. . . .

“We can play with anybody in the country,” Donahue said. “We’re not No. 1, but we’re conference champions and we’re going to the Rose Bowl. That sounds like a good year’s work to me.” . . .

I hope Wisconsin isn’t upset by Michigan State on Dec. 4 at the Tokyo Dome, scene of Buster Douglas’ knockout victory over Mike Tyson. . . .

The Badgers would bring tremendous enthusiasm to the Rose Bowl, where they haven’t been since their 42-37 loss to USC that decided the 1962 national championship. You’ve got to be an Ohio State fan to want to see a team coming off a 28-0 defeat. . . .

It is difficult to remember a more eventful college football Saturday afternoon than the most recent. . . .

Nos. 1, 4 and 5 lost and No. 6, Auburn, completed an unbeaten season. . . .

Funny, but Boston College has been involved in two of the most exciting games of the century, the victory over Notre Dame and the Hail Mary by Doug Flutie that beat Miami. . . .

Fresno State junior Trent Dilfer, who has thrown an NCAA record 271 consecutive passes without an interception, is expected to skip his senior season and might be the first quarterback drafted. . . .

San Diego State Coach Al Luginbill is as good as gone if the Aztecs lose to Wyoming and don’t go to a bowl. . . .

The San Francisco Giants probably will lose free agent Will Clark, but they showed their commitment to excellence by signing the hottest pitcher in the National League, Mark Portugal. . . .

Delino DeShields is a terrific young second baseman who can do everything except hit with power. . . .

The question after a trade that shocked everyone in Los Angeles and Montreal is whether you would rather have DeShields or Jody Reed and Pedro Martinez. . . .

I’ll take DeShields.