COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : USC : Police Looking for Two Suspects in Theft

Police and USC security personnel are looking for two suspects in the July 28 theft of O.J. Simpson’s Heisman Trophy from Heritage Hall.

“We have fingerprints from two adult males,” Athletic Director Mike Garrett said.

The trophies of USC’s three other Heisman winners--Garrett, Marcus Allen and Charles White--remain on display, but under increased video and electronic surveillance.

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Newcomers surged into the spotlight Wednesday, during USC’s first practice work in pads.

In the day’s first contact drill, tailback Leonard Green, a transfer from Mt. San Antonio College, dashed off left tackle for five yards, despite the fact that defensive end Matt Keneley dumped All-American offensive tackle Tony Boselli on his back.

Green, six feet and 180 pounds, had several other quick bursts in the morning, then broke two long runs in the afternoon. On one, he zipped between linebackers Israel Ifeanyi and Errick Herrin and ran 50 yards.

Shortly thereafter, Green was stopped by a vicious hit by cornerback Jesse Davis.

Freshmen tailbacks Delon Washington and Rodney Sermons were impressive, as was returning starter Shawn Walters.

“He has a lot of poise and quick feet,” Robinson said of Green. “But I liked all three of our new backs. We want to keep them as active as we can. . . . They all seem to have a sense for the game.”

Many eyes were on another prized recruit, freshman defensive tackle Darrell Russell. On his first play in pads, he was stopped at the line by junior John Michels, who then twisted a knee when Russell fell on him.

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USC is awash in quick, talented tailbacks, but who’s going to play fullback?

Robinson wasn’t quite ready to answer that, other than to say his tailbacks should consider themselves interchangeable.

The preseason depth chart lists sophomore Mark Farlin as the starting fullback and freshman Taso Papadakis as backup. But Farlin played in only five games last year, all at linebacker. He was switched to fullback in the spring.

Papadakis was a backup fullback last year until he suffered a dislocated wrist in the second game and was redshirted. He’s listed as the No. 2 fullback for goal-line plays, but will also play inside linebacker.

Sophomore David Dotson lost the starting tailback job to Walters last year, but Robinson calls him a strong pass blocker, indicating both he and junior Terry Barnum might play some at fullback.

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Injury update: Jeff Diltz, the sophomore backup tight end who injured a knee Saturday, underwent arthroscopic surgery Tuesday and will sit out at least the first two games.