COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : USC : Johnson’s Vote Goes to George

Keyshawn Johnson, a start-of-the-season Heisman Trophy candidate, has thrown his support to Ohio State running back Eddie George.

“As far as I’m concerned, give it to him,” Johnson said.

“I mean, the guy had what, 400 yards [314]? And against one of the best defenses [Illinois] in the nation too. He’s separated himself from the pack, and he’s having a great year on an unbeaten team. I think I’m deserving too, but he should get it.

“I’d vote like this: Eddie George, Tommie Frazier, Darnell Autry, me and Danny Wuerffel.”

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Coach John Robinson said key defensive players Izzy Ifeanyi and Jesse Davis, who left the victory over Oregon State Saturday because of hamstring pulls, “should be OK” for the UCLA game Saturday.

Tailback LaVale Woods, who sat out the last four games because of a hamstring tear, has recovered and might play Saturday, Robinson said. Defensive end Willie Lowery, who sprained an ankle at Oregon State, might be out until the Rose Bowl, he said.

Starting quarterback Brad Otton, Robinson said, has recovered from his Nov. 4 concussion and will play Saturday. But whether he or Kyle Wachholtz starts against UCLA won’t be decided until later.

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USC is converting 50.3% of its third downs, best in the Pacific 10. UCLA is at 37.1%, seventh in the conference.