COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : USC : Johnson Questionable Despite Practicing

Quarterback Rob Johnson practiced in full pads for the first time this week but didn’t take as many snaps as his backup, Brad Otton.

Coach John Robinson said he won’t decide if Johnson will play Saturday at Oregon State until giving Johnson “a long look” at this afternoon’s practice in Eugene.

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While Robinson and his staff have been unhappy so far over play in the defensive secondary and erratic efforts by young players, one area where the Trojans seem solid is at linebacker.

Heralded transfer Eric Herrin had his biggest game against Oregon last week, a 13-tackle performance.

Senior linebackers Jeff Kopp (34 tackles) and Brian Williams (28) are the team leaders in tackles and newcomer Israel Ifeanyi has shown marked improvement since the season began.

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Robinson on the Pacific 10: “I think we’re seeing the conference has a lot of parity. This is the first time we’ve lost since I’ve been back when we were favored. The margin is small. If you look around the Pac-10, you can look at up-and-down performances by everyone but Arizona.

“A week ago, we were on track and rolling. Then we took a step backward.”

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Saturday could mark the long-awaited debut of USC tailback LaVale Woods.

The 5-7, 190-pounder was a hit at USC’s 1993 preseason training camp, but Woods suffered a knee injury and sat out last season. Then he injured a knee during track season last spring and only recently has he seemed fully healed.

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Apparently, the Beavers are big in Japan. Three Oregon State games--including Saturday’s against USC--will be televised in Japan, on the Gaora Sports Network. . . . USC guard Kyle Ramsay, the only Oregonian on the Trojan roster, grew up on a farm 20 minutes from Oregon State. . . . Senior Oregon State cornerback William Ephraim, from Fontana, has knocked down or intercepted 29 passes, the Oregon State career record.