Phalen Pounds

This was the summer of '93, at one of John Robinson's first practices after returning as USC's football coach. Robinson was chatting with a couple of reporters when one of his first recruits, Phalen Pounds, walked by, temporarily blocking the sun. Pounds was 6 feet 7 and 355 pounds at the time. "That's Phalen Pounds from Pasadena," Robinson said. "We think somewhere in that massive body there's another Lincoln Kennedy, but it might take us a couple of years to find it."

Only a few years ago, the best defensive player on Nevada Las Vegas' football team was concentrating on hitting the ball, not the ballcarrier. Linebacker Scott Patton played three minor league seasons as an outfielder in the Chicago White Sox organization, rubbing elbows briefly with Michael Jordan before quitting to return to college. Patton--who went to Capistrano Valley High School and later Saddleback College--was hitting .300 with Class A Hickory (N.C.

The 299-pounds-per-man starting offensive line at USC lost a little tonnage this week. Coach John Robinson said 280-pound Clay Hattabaugh, a junior, had overtaken 310-pound redshirt freshman Phalen Pounds in practice and would "probably" start at right guard against Washington Saturday in the Coliseum. "Hattabaugh's had a great camp and Phalen's played well, too. . . . It's just that we're a little concerned about Phalen's lack of experience," Robinson said.

It was seven months ago, midway through spring football practice, that USC's season suffered its first serious blow. Offensive lineman Phalen Pounds, 6 feet 7 and 310 pounds, slammed into a linebacker one afternoon and felt a "pop" in his right shoulder. The shoulder remained sore the rest of spring practice and still hurts. Pounds had reconstructive surgery June 20 and won't play again until Sept. 6, when USC opens its 1997 season, against Florida State.

Only a few years ago, the best defensive player on Nevada Las Vegas' football team was concentrating on hitting the ball, not the ballcarrier. Linebacker Scott Patton played three minor league seasons as an outfielder in the Chicago White Sox organization, rubbing elbows briefly with Michael Jordan before quitting to return to college. Patton--who went to Capistrano Valley High School and later Saddleback College--was hitting .300 with Class A Hickory (N.C.

It was seven months ago, midway through spring football practice, that USC's season suffered its first serious blow. Offensive lineman Phalen Pounds, 6 feet 7 and 310 pounds, slammed into a linebacker one afternoon and felt a "pop" in his right shoulder. The shoulder remained sore the rest of spring practice and still hurts. Pounds had reconstructive surgery June 20 and won't play again until Sept. 6, when USC opens its 1997 season, against Florida State.

USC received signed football letters of intent from linebacker Trey Towns and defensive lineman Phalen Pounds, both of Pasadena City College.

Coach John Robinson on Wednesday kicked one of his mainstays off the team for USC's Rose Bowl game against Northwestern, but would not explain why. Phalen Pounds, a 6-foot-7, 310-pound sophomore starter at right guard, got the boot for "a violation of team policy," Robinson said, without elaboration.

USC linebacker Errick Herrin and guard Chris Brymer are expected to play against Arizona Saturday. Both missed the Washington State game last Saturday because of injuries. Guards Phalen Pounds and Kris Pollack and defensive end Marcus Bonds are questionable.

The Rose Bowl race: --If USC wins the rest of its games and Oregon loses, the Trojans go to the Rose Bowl. --If Washington State wins the rest of its games and Arizona loses, the Cougars go to the Rose Bowl. --If Arizona wins the rest of its games and Oregon loses, the Wildcats go to the Rose Bowl. --If Oregon wins the rest of its games and Washington State loses, the Ducks go to the Rose Bowl.

This was the summer of '93, at one of John Robinson's first practices after returning as USC's football coach. Robinson was chatting with a couple of reporters when one of his first recruits, Phalen Pounds, walked by, temporarily blocking the sun. Pounds was 6 feet 7 and 355 pounds at the time. "That's Phalen Pounds from Pasadena," Robinson said. "We think somewhere in that massive body there's another Lincoln Kennedy, but it might take us a couple of years to find it."

The 299-pounds-per-man starting offensive line at USC lost a little tonnage this week. Coach John Robinson said 280-pound Clay Hattabaugh, a junior, had overtaken 310-pound redshirt freshman Phalen Pounds in practice and would "probably" start at right guard against Washington Saturday in the Coliseum. "Hattabaugh's had a great camp and Phalen's played well, too. . . . It's just that we're a little concerned about Phalen's lack of experience," Robinson said.