UCLA’s Victory Gives Its Fans the Freedom to Express Themselves

John Robinson hyped his players to beat UCLA by telling them to “have fun.”

Hey, John: Have fun watching UCLA in the Rose Bowl while your team returns to play Fresno State in the ever-popular Freedom Bowl.

PHIL WIGLEY

Arcadia

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While watching a popular game show recently, I saw something that went like this:

“He successfully predicted at the start of the 1993 college football season that his team would defeat UCLA and Notre Dame, propelling them to the Rose Bowl.”

Bing!

“Who is John Robinson, Alex?”

“I’m sorry Tommy, but that’s incorrect. However, you will receive this fine parting gift. Johnny, what does he win?”

“You and your entire student body will be eligible for tickets to see USC and Fresno State in the Freedom Bowl.”

WILLIAM O. GAYNOR

Newbury Park

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It was not too many years ago when the Johnson-to-Cashman pass would have resulted in a pass-interference call, for sure. The officials would have had the hankies out in a split second. Where have all the USC refs gone?

BILL GOODALE

Palos Verdes

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At a Trojan breakfast last summer, Coach Robinson promised us three things:

--”The players will wear the uniform the way it should be worn.”

--”We’re going to beat Notre Dame.”

--”We’re going to the Rose Bowl.”

Well, the players had headgear on the head, shoulder pads on the shoulders and shoes on the feet, so at least one promise was kept.

ROGER GLAZBROOK

Glendora

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What has happened to the Trojans? Only seven yards? Why didn’t the Trojans go for the whole nine yards by adding two more rushing yards on that final drive? Most of the players are taller than two yards, aren’t they? John Robinson is wider than two yards, isn’t he?

Sam Cunningham took to the air and soared for two yards. Mike Garrett and the Juice would look left, then go right for at least two more. Pat Haden was so small he could stealth his way for two yards. Marcus Allen adds two yards to every run just knowing Al Davis is in the press box. Remember “Student Body Right?” “Tailback U.?”

Trojan football is dead--two yards under.

RICHARD LINDE

Camarillo

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I can see it now. USC and Fresno State rematched in the Freedom Bowl.

At stake, bragging rights to the city of Bakersfield.

WESLEY V. WELLMAN

Santa Monica

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Now that the regular season is over for USC, let’s take a look at the differences between Larry Smith’s team and John Robinson’s team:

--Beat Notre Dame: no.

--Beat UCLA: no.

--Pac-10 champions: no.

--National champions: no.

It’s good to know that there are still certain things you can always count on.

JANNA BRAUN

Woodland Hills

Editor’s note: With a 6-2 conference record, USC is co-champion of the Pacific 10 Conference.

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Dear Marvin Goodwin,

I have included you in my will. I’m sure Karl Morgan won’t mind the company.

TONY REED

North Hollywood

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As a Trojan fan, I have been convinced that UCLA received more attention in The Times than USC, so, considering the recent controversy, I decided to total up the print space allotted each team. My calculations show that from Nov. 7 through Nov. 14, USC had 247 inches of print and UCLA had 244 inches. This past week was so even, I didn’t even count.

If Southland college football fans have any complaint, it would be that Notre Dame frequently gets more attention than the local teams. It wasn’t that way when we had sportswriters who grew up on UCLA and USC football.

JO HICKS

Santa Ana