Trojans Open Spring Practice With Dual Football Missions
Still not satisfied after winning a Rose Bowl championship in John Robinson’s third season back, USC’s 1996 football team begins preparing for bigger game this afternoon.
The Trojans open their 15-practice spring football schedule, which will end April 20 with an intrasquad game.
Their two quests: Ending the 13-game nonwinning streak to Notre Dame and a five-year losing streak to UCLA.
Returning quarterback Brad Otton leads 38 returning lettermen and 10 starters from last season’s 9-2-1 team.
Otton, who passed for 391 yards in the Rose Bowl, was a 62% passer last fall. Other key returnees include tailback Delon Washington, the Pacific 10’s No. 2 rusher with 1,109 yards; defensive tackle Darrell Russell, and linebacker Sammy Knight, who is being moved from safety.
The Trojans open their season against Penn State on Aug. 25 at the Kickoff Classic at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
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