Robinson foresees tough battle against UCLA

LOS ANGELES (U-WIRE) - With the UCLA game looming over Southern Cal coach John Robinson's media luncheon on Tuesday, nobody could quite put a finger on what it would take for the heavily favored Bruins to lose to Southern Cal.

Robinson couldn't find a weakness in the Bruin team, calling UCLA's Cade McNown the best quarterback he's seen on film this year and touting its defense as one of the most consistent in the league.

Robinson even acknowledged that UCLA remains as healthy as ever, while the Trojans are struggling to find a running back healthy enough to carry the ball more than 15 times.

Nevertheless, Robinson is pleased with his team's success since Southern Cal's loss at Arizona State, and especially in light of the past two victories over Stanford and Oregon State.

"We've had a season where we've had a lot of injuries, and we haven't been as prepared as we'd have liked to be at quarterback and tailback," Robinson said. "But the only things I've been regretful about this season are the second half at Arizona State and the offense at Washington.

"But I'm not gonna dwell on that at all. We're just gonna play."

Just playing may not cut it against UCLA, whose high-powered offense, which includes running back Skip Hicks and wide receiver Jim McElroy, has averaged more than 41 points a game.

"We gotta find an edge," Robinson said. "We gotta play a great game ... and hope that they make some mistakes in the process."

Robinson said he expects more of a 17-14 type of game. But if it is a shootout, Southern Cal's 21-points-a-game average may not even come close to matching UCLA.

Southern Cal tailback Delon Washington may miss Saturday's game due to an ankle injury he sustained last week against Oregon State. Washington has averaged more than 100 yards in two career games against UCLA, and leads the team in rushing this season with 377 yards.

"Delon doesn't look OK," Robinson said. "He may be questionable or doubtful for this game."

Replacing Washington will be LaVale Woods, who returns to the lineup after missing six games because of an ankle injury. Woods, who has been practicing with the team for the past two weeks, "will get a chance to play in the game," Robinson said.

"There aren't a lot of guys in there at running back right now," he said. "We just have to hope that they stay healthy throughout the game and make some big plays."

The play of Southern Cal's defensive line has never been in question this season, as the Trojans are first in the Pac-10 and sixth in the nation against the run, allowing just 84.1 yards a game.

11-21-97