Sean Salisbury

Sean Salisbury, playing in his first Canadian Football League game, threw touchdown passes of 17, 64 and 21 yards to James Murphy as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers downed the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 32-20. Salisbury, a former USC star, was forced into action after starting quarterback Tom Muecke pulled up lame before the game. Salisbury finished with 17 completions in 38 attempts for 257 yards.

USC will begin practicing today for its Aloha Bowl game against Alabama Dec. 28 at Honolulu. Tailback Fred Crutcher and nose guard Tony Colorito, both seniors, will be unavailable due to shoulder and ankle surgery, respectively. Quarterback Sean Salisbury, another senior, is doubtful. He seperated his right shoulder in USC's 20-6 Mirage Bowl win over Oregon Nov. 30 at Tokyo.

Only third-string quarterback Sean Salisbury was available for the Minnesota Vikings' practice Wednesday. Salisbury, the former Orange Glen High and USC quarterback, was No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 because starter Wade Wilson is out with a shoulder separation and backup Rich Gannon has the flu. Said Coach Jerry Burns: "He looked like Johnny Unitas out there."

Oregon Coach Rich Brooks says standout junior college quarterback Brett Salisbury has signed a letter-of-intent to play football for the Ducks. Brooks made the announcement in Costa Mesa, where his team is preparing for the Dec. 29 Freedom Bowl. He also announced a second junior-college player, speedy wide receiver Derrick Deadwiler, had signed a letter to play for the Ducks.

"We re-established our credibility in 1984," said Ted Tollner, now in his third year as USC's football coach. "Now we have to continue to improve. We haven't arrived yet, but we're going in the right direction." The Trojans open spring football practice today with seven returning offensive starters. Last season's team finished with a 9-3 record, including a 20-17 win over Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

Ram safety Anthony Newman is still dreaming about the interception that got away last Sunday. Viking quarterback Sean Salisbury was attempting to get the ball to Hassan Jones on a sideline pattern, but Newman stepped in front for what looked like an easy interception. The ball hit Newman squarely in the hands, but he dropped it. "I took my eyes off it for a second," said Newman, who was checking out his unobstructed route to the end zone.