Team Gets Sneak Preview of Oregon State

A fourth-quarter comeback against San Jose State did more than boost USC to No. 8 in the latest Associated Press poll. It also helped prepare the Trojans for their Pacific 10 Conference opener.

When they play at unbeaten Oregon State next Saturday, they will see another multiple-receiver offense.

“We’ve got to face a team just like [San Jose State],” Coach Paul Hackett said. “They are going to spread it out with a great quarterback and a great runner.”

That would be quarterback Jonathan Smith, who threw for 172 yards and a touchdown in Oregon State’s 35-3 victory over San Diego State on Saturday. And that would be tailback Ken Simonton, who rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns before sitting out most of the second half.

USC hopes to slow down the Beavers with some of the lessons it learned against San Jose State.

In Saturday’s game, USC started out by blitzing frequently to stop tailback Deonce Whitaker. But Whitaker broke loose on several occasions, particularly in the second quarter when he slipped past oncoming linebackers and ran 14 yards for a touchdown.

All that blitzing also left the USC defensive backs in man-to-man coverage, vulnerable to the pass.

“We had some breakdowns in the secondary, and the quarterback made some great throws,” safety Ifeanyi Ohalete said.

The Trojans held San Jose State scoreless in the second half by making two adjustments. First, Ohalete said, they played harder. Second, the coaches shifted the defensive plan, alternating man-to-man and zone coverages to give the secondary some welcome relief.

Hackett singled out Darrell Rideaux, the sophomore cornerback who was beaten on a long play in the first quarter but rebounded to break up two passes and make three tackles. Rideaux barely won the starting job in training camp and has been repeatedly picked on by opposing offenses, in part because he stands 5 feet 9.

“That’s been his whole life,” Hackett said. “He’s always been short. He’s just going to have to keep rising to the occasion.”

*

USC appeared to get through another game with few or no injuries. Defensive lineman Bernard Riley reportedly has a minor ankle sprain. Cornerback Kris Richard, who went into the game with a sore knee, played extensively.