Robinson Bemoans Trojans’ Big Play

Both Coach John Robinson and linebacker Sammy Knight said this week that the dramatic, 98-yard fourth-quarter kickoff return by freshman R. Jay Soward against Arizona State hurt as well as helped USC, which lost, 48-35, in overtime.

Robinson said Tuesday at his media luncheon that the USC defense had just come off the field after a 98-yard scoring drive when Soward ran the kickoff back, giving USC a 28-21 lead.

“It was a long drive and when we scored immediately and the defense had to go back out there . . . they never quite recovered from that,” Robinson said.

The Sun Devils then went 78 yards in 14 plays for a 28-28 tie.

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Cornerback Daylon McCutcheon and wide receiver Larry Parker left practice early Wednesday because of groin injuries. McCutcheon left for treatment. Parker, who was kicked, finished at half-speed.