Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 15, 1995

Tailback U. it is no longer. . . .

But USC should finish the season with something it has lacked since 1990--a 1,000-yard rusher. . . .

Sophomore Delon Washington needs 94 yards in the next two games against UCLA and Ohio State or Northwestern to become the first Trojan to reach four figures since Mazio Royster. . . .

With their two quarterbacks, Keyshawn Johnson and countless tight ends, the Trojans’ primary weapon in 1995 has been the pass. . . .

But Washington has added balance to the attack the last two weeks, running for 144 yards against Stanford and 158 against Oregon State. . . .

“Quietly, he has developed into one of the better running backs in the country,” Coach John Robinson said. . . .

Robinson hopes the development will continue Saturday at the Coliseum against UCLA. . . .

USC tailbacks have been stopped cold during the first two cross-town games of Robinson’s second tenure. . . .

Two years ago, the Trojans rushed for seven yards during a 27-21 loss. . . .

Last year, they rushed for 57 during a 31-19 loss. . . .

Washington, who played in only three games his freshman season because of eligibility questions, will be making his debut in the L.A. rivalry. . . .

He is from Dallas but fully understands the importance of the afternoon. . . .

“I’m excited,” he said. . . .

*

Thumbs down to those who criticize Baltimore for welcoming the Cleveland Browns to town with open arms. . . .

Should Baltimore be unhappy that the NFL is returning? . . .

On second thought, the way the Browns have been playing lately, maybe it should be. . . .

Call the AFC Central the Moving Van division. Besides the Browns, the Houston Oilers are headed to Nashville and the Bengals are threatening to leave Cincinnati. . . .

The Dallas Cowboys’ games against Oakland on Sunday and Kansas City on Thanksgiving Day ought to give us an indication of whether this finally might be the AFC’s year in the Super Bowl. . . .

Yes, Jimmy Johnson would have coached a better game than Barry Switzer did Sunday against San Francisco. . . .

For that matter, so would have Wayne Fontes. . . .

Parity: Twenty-one of the 30 NFL teams, including the entire NFC West and Central divisions, have records in the 6-4 to 4-6 range. . . .

Hardly a week seems to go by when Dan Marino doesn’t break one of Fran Tarkenton’s records. Next to fall will be the one for NFL career touchdown passes. . . .

When Kordell Stewart is inserted somewhere in their lineup, the Pittsburgh Steelers become the league’s most imaginative team. . . .

The well-balanced New York Jets have scored the fewest points in the NFL and allowed the second most. . . .

Only defensive-minded Buddy Ryan’s Arizona Cardinals have given up more points. . . .

*

UCLA, ranked fourth in the Associated Press preseason basketball poll, was ranked sixth at the same time last year. . . .

Coach Jim Harrick on the Bruins’ tough nonconference schedule that includes games against Kansas, Maryland, Louisville and Duke and maybe Villanova and/or North Carolina in the Maui Invitational: “It’s good and bad. Hopefully, it won’t hurt our psyche. Hopefully, it will help the team to mature and grow.” . . .

Connecticut is the only school ranked in the top 10 in both men’s and women’s polls. . . . Joe Montana will play in the pro-am of the Franklin Templeton Shark Shootout on Thursday at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks. . . .

It seems to me that Mary Pierce suffers an awful lot of upset losses. . . .

The 12% dip in on-track attendance at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita is another example that there is too much thoroughbred racing in Southern California. . . .

After a lengthy one-day hiatus, Southland racing resumes today with the opening of the Hollywood Park autumn meet. Hollypark does have something that Oak Tree didn’t--a full schedule of quality turf races. . . .

For the record: The Villa Esperanza sports and entertainment charity auction will be Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Dodger Stadium Club. Tickets are available by calling 818-541-9169. . . .

Which is the greater achievement, Greg Maddux winning the National League Cy Young Award four consecutive times or Sandy Koufax winning the major league Cy Young award three out of four years?