Trojans Could Reach New Lows

Three consecutive losses have put USC in position to set a record it doesn’t want. When the Trojans head north to face Stanford on Saturday, they are in danger of starting 0-4 in conference for the first time.

“The big question is how are we going to respond?” Coach Paul Hackett said. “Are we going to be able to bounce back?”

As if history weren’t enough, there are also bad memories. Last season at the Coliseum, USC built a 21-point lead over the Cardinal in the first quarter but came unglued with a fumble, two dropped passes, three interceptions and three missed field goals.

With time running down, the Trojans drove to Stanford’s 16-yard line, but Mike Van Raaphorst’s pass was intercepted short of the goal line. Stanford won, 35-31.

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This season, USC and Stanford are similar in ways that neither team welcomes.

Each wants to end three-game losing streaks. Each has struggled with turnovers. Each has been defeated by Oregon State--the Cardinal losing, 38-6, in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, thereby ending any hope of repeating as Pacific 10 champion.

Stanford has averaged fewer than eight points in its last three games but could get a boost at quarterback. Randy Fasani, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Sept. 29, has been cleared to practice this week.

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The Trojans’ homecoming game against California on Oct. 28 will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will be televised locally on Channel 9.