Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 3, 1996

Every 33 years, it seems, USC scores 41 or 42 points and wins a great Rose Bowl game. . . .

The Trojans’ 42-37 victory over Wisconsin in 1963 was one of the most significant in their history. . . .

Making their first Pasadena appearance in eight years, they finished 11-0 and were voted national champions in Coach John McKay’s third season. . . .

Three more national championships and seven Rose Bowl berths followed during the last 13 years of McKay’s collegiate career. . . .

No title or unbeaten season was at stake Monday, but the 41-32 victory over Northwestern may turn out to be nearly as important to John Robinson as the victory over Wisconsin was to McKay. . . .

The Trojans’ current recruiting class, already considered their best since the cardinal-and-gold mines of two decades ago, is certain to become even more formidable after all the positives on New Year’s Day. . . .

Robinson showed that he can win a big game during his second tenure at USC after six disappointments against UCLA and Notre Dame. . . .

His team accomplished one of the most difficult feats in football when it rallied after blowing a big lead. . . .

“You can say this win saved our season, if you want to,” Robinson told reporters after finishing 9-2-1. . . .

It also salvaged something for the Pacific-10 Conference after three consecutive Rose Bowl losses and defeats in four other bowls this season. . . .

Only eight of the 22 players who started for the Trojans against Northwestern will return next season, but virtually every prominent backup will be back. . . .

Among the seniors will be half of the passing combination, Brad Otton to Keyshawn Johnson, that put on the best show in America on New Year’s Day. . . .

Otton pitched a complete game and there will be no alternating quarterbacks, either, when the Trojans face Penn State in the Kickoff Classic at East Rutherford, N.J., next August. . . .

Otton will be the one, although freshman John Fox looked terrific during Rose Bowl practice sessions. . . .

Most likely, Johnson will be playing for the New York Jets, who have the first choice in the draft. . . .

Wouldn’t it be nice, though, if Southern California’s lone NFL team, the San Diego Chargers, could trade up and fill their need at wide receiver. . . .

A part-time offensive back of the future might be USC’s Daylon McCutcheon. . . .

McCutcheon, who returned a fumble 53 yards for a touchdown against Northwestern, had an outstanding freshman year at cornerback. . . .

However, he was one of the all-time great California prep running backs and acknowledged after Monday’s game that the coaching staff would like him to play some offense next season. . . .

For sure, he will return kicks. . . .

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USC was able to throw Darnell Autry for losses four times and hold him to two yards or fewer seven other times. . . .

But, even without much blocking, the sophomore tailback rushed for 123 yards in 32 carries in a display of the quickness and strength that had earned him some Heisman Trophy votes. . . .

An overlooked hero was Adam Abrams, whose 46-yard field goal in the fourth quarter put USC ahead for good. It was the longest field goal by a Trojan since Quin Rodriguez’s 54-yarder against Michigan State in the 1990 Hancock Bowl. . . .

Of Johnson’s 168 receptions during his two seasons at USC, 133, including all 12 his last game, were for first downs. . . .

It remains a mystery why the NFL doesn’t present official regular-season awards as do most other professional leagues. . . .

Today is the 50th anniversary of the death of George (the Iceman) Woolf, killed in a riding accident at Santa Anita. Woolf memorabilia is on display at the Derby restaurant in Arcadia, where he lived in an upstairs apartment that is still maintained. . . .

Ryan (Moose) Bailey, a 6-foot-3 point guard whose brother Toby plays for UCLA, says he will sign with USC in April. Bailey attends Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va.