Otton Has Two Touchdown Passes

Brad Otton threw two five-yard touchdown passes and tailbacks LaVale Woods and Shawn Walters were the leading rushers Thursday in a 70-play USC football scrimmage at Howard Jones Field.

Otton, who completed 10 of 14 passes for 72 yards, threw his touchdown strikes to John Allred and Billy Miller. Woods gained 50 yards in eight carries, including a two-yard touchdown. Walters, who is ineligible until USC’s fourth game, had 49 yards in 10 carries.

Freshman quarterback Quincy Woods, on his first play, gained 20 yards on keeper and later registered the longest play of the session, a 40-yard scoring pass to Mike Bastianelli.

Starting tailback Delon Washington, hampered by a hamstring pull, was held out.

*

Travis Claridge, the prize catch of Coach John Robinson’s freshman recruiting class, is beginning to look like a starter for USC’s Aug. 25 opening game against Penn State. The coaches are noncommittal, but the 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive tackle from Fort Vancouver, Wash., has been working with the starting group in recent practices.

*

Middle linebacker Taso Papadakis, finally listed as a starter after years of injuries, is having an outstanding preseason camp. He acknowledges that the presence of prize recruit Chris Claiborne is the reason.

“I love the fact Chris is here,” Papadakis said. “This wouldn’t be SC if they didn’t have at least two great players at the same position. I don’t want the job handed to me, I want to earn it. And I will. Chris is fast, tough and smart and he’s making me a better player. But I hope he understands this is my year, and it’s my job. Besides, there will be lots of times when we’re both in there at the same time.”