USC Tries to Revive Its Faint Scent of Roses

One of the most anticipated Pacific 10 Conference football matchups in recent seasons unfolds this afternoon when a desperate USC puts up the conference’s No. 1 defense and seeks to shackle the league’s best offense.

USC, 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-10, believes it must win today to reach the Rose Bowl a second consecutive year. Arizona State (6-0, 3-0) seeks to reverse its recent trend with USC--the Trojans have won the last two and four of the last five--and then perhaps march onward to a Rose Bowl decider Nov. 9 in Tempe with California.

The Trojans rank first in the Pac-10 in total defense, 318 yards given up a game; in scoring defense, 14 points a game, and pass defense efficiency, with a 102.77 rating. The Sun Devils are first in total offense at 468 yards a game, scoring offense at 44 points, rushing offense at 209 yards.

Those Arizona State rushing numbers may take a hit today. Sun Devil Coach Bruce Snyder learned Thursday that his best back, Michael Martin, is out for the rest of the regular season because of a broken neck.

That adds to the load already being carried by quarterback Jake Plummer, who is completing passes at a rate of nearly 60% over his last 11 games. He has thrown for 24 touchdowns, with five interceptions, and Arizona State is 10-1 in that span.

Is Plummer being asked to do too much, as was USC’s Rob Johnson two seasons ago?

Snyder indicated this week that was maybe the case, but that events--such as Martin’s injury--not design, are responsible.

Snyder also worries that he’s facing a deeply talented team that hasn’t yet come close to the kind of game it is capable of.

Here are four players Snyder should be worried about today:

--Shawn Walters. No Trojan is more motivated to make a major contribution. The 6-foot, 230-pound senior tailback played against Arizona last week for the first time in 14 games because of NCAA and USC suspensions.

LaVale Woods starts at tailback today. But Delon Washington has a sprained thumb, an indication that Walters might be primed for extra carries.

--Daylon McCutcheon. Arguably the conference’s best cornerback, McCutcheon was burned for the first time in his two-season career last week, and on three consecutive plays at that. No previous opponent this year had thrown to his area four times, yet Arizona tested him seven times.

--Sammy Knight. McCutcheon, tackles Darrell Russell and Matt Keneley, linebacker Chris Claiborne and Knight are the defensive stars of this team. But Knight, the 205-pound weak-side linebacker, is its heart and soul. He has 50 tackles, but only one interception.

--R. Jay Soward. A freshman wide receiver, the fast, talented Soward is knocking on the starter’s door. He makes leaping, one-handed catches in practice and if Brad Otton is given sufficient time to throw today, Soward is a guy who can provide the plays that could put USC back in the Rose Bowl hunt.

Of course, his brother, Marcus Soward, Arizona State’s starting left cornerback, may have something to say about that.

Trojan Notes

Had USC offensive line coach John Matsko not left for an NFL job in 1991, Arizona State’s All-American left tackle, Juan Roque, would be lining up for USC today. He had orally committed to USC, then Matsko left and Roque signed with Arizona State. Quarterback Jake Plummer said earlier this year that Roque “protects me like I’m his mother.” Replied Roque, “I have to protect him. He’s a pencil-necked geek.”

USC safety Brian Kelly and defensive end Willie Lowery made the trip but may not play. Lowery has a sprained ankle and Kelly a strained ankle tendon. . . . ASU injury report: The loss of Michael Martin is a real blow. Tight end Steve Bush has a sore knee and is a maybe, and starting safety Mitchell Freedman is expected to start despite a finger injury.

The last time ASU was 6-0 was 1982. . . . ASU has outscored foes in the third quarter, 59-16, but USC has given up only 17 points in the third. . . . The Sun Devils began selling standing-room tickets Thursday for today’s game. . . . Plummer is the first ASU quarterback to post consecutive 2,000-yard seasons since Jeff Van Raaphorst in the middle ‘80s. . . .

Today’s is ASU’s sixth home game in seven weeks. . . . The Sun Devils and Cal are the only Pac-10 teams averaging more than 200 yards a game running and passing. . . . USC’s pass protection should be improved today: Chris Brymer starts at left guard and Faaesea Mailo will back up at both tackle spots.

Taso Papadakis, who started at middle linebacker when the season began, still isn’t close to playing again. His stubborn high-ankle sprain is a five-week-old injury. “Basically, I’m probably looking at playing the last four games,” he said. . . . John Robinson said he is disappointed in his receivers. “Except for Chris Miller, it’s an inexperienced group and I’m disappointed they seem to have trouble making the catch,” he said.

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TODAY’S GAME

USC at ARIZONA STATE

* Records:

USC (4-2, 2-1), Arizona St. (6-0, 3-0)

* Time: 12:30 p.m.

* TV: Channel 7

* Radio: KLSX-FM

(97.1)