What Qb Controversy? Instead Of Deciding On First-String Quarterback, Usc Coach Has Settled On Both

Brad Otton knows it’s hard to argue with success, but given the chance, he will try.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior is one-half of Southern California’s unusual - and remarkably successful - quarterback tandem. And while he can’t knock the numbers he and teammate Kyle Wachholtz have put up this fall, he isn’t afraid to knock the system.

“I don’t want to sound negative or anything, but to be honest, I don’t see too many plusses,” Otton said of coach John Robinson’s two-quarterback scheme. “I think back to last year when I started and played the whole game, and by the second quarter you get in such a rhythm you’re not even thinking any more.

“But when you play a quarter, come back (to the bench) for a quarter and go back in the next quarter, you don’t establish much rhythm.”

Flying in the face of Otton’s logic is USC’s 5-0 start and the fact that he and Wachholtz are the two most efficient passers in the Pacific- 10 Conference.

Wachholtz, a 6-5, 220-pound senior, leads the league in passing efficiency with a rating of 172.8; Otton is second at 155.87.

Together, they have completed 66.3 percent of their passes (110 of 166) for 1,380 yards and 13 touchdowns. And neither has thrown an interception.

Otton, who started two games as a sophomore last fall when starter Rob Johnson suffered an ankle injury, has yet to throw an interception as a Trojan. The Weber State transfer, who nearly ended up at Washington State, has thrown a Pac-10-record 197 passes without a pick.

In addition, USC is ranked No. 5 in the nation and leads the Pac-10 with a 3-0 record. The Trojans are a half-game ahead of Stanford, Washington and WSU, all 2-0. And they have a great opportunity to distance themselves even further from the Cougars, who invade Memorial Coliseum Saturday for a 12:30 matchup that will be televised regionally by ABC on KXLY-TV (Channel 4) in the Spokane area.

WSU coach Mike Price refers to Otton and Wachholtz as USC’s “two-headed quarterback,” and finds little to criticize about the way the two are being used.

Otton has played the first and third quarters of every game this fall and Wachholtz has played the second and fourth.

“They’ve been real efficient with their two-headed quarterback,” Price said. “They’re both big, they’re both very accurate throwers and they’re both strong.”

“They’re similar in style, although Wachholtz might be a little better scrambler. They have a good offensive scheme and a good offensive concept and both kids understand it and execute it well.”

Wachholtz, who sat out last season with academic problems, seems to like the setup.

“I think one of these times I might like to start,” he said. “That would be nice. But it’s working out. It’s been successful for us.”

Wachholtz said he likes going in in the second period, after he’s had a chance to scout opposing defenses from the sideline.

“And then in the fourth quarter, I like to have it, because I want to be in there when the game’s on the line.”

Wachholtz said there have been some opinions voiced among his closest teammates that he should be the only quarterback. “You hear it all the time,” Wachholtz explained. “And I’m sure Brad hears it, too. I hear it, but I let it go out the other ear. You have to.”

USC receiver Larry Parker said he hardly notices the quarterback change.

“The two-quarterback deal isn’t affecting anything,” Parker said. “There’s never a let-down when we change. I’m in the huddle with both of them and I can’t tell a difference.”

Parker said both quarterbacks throw a ball that’s easy to catch, adding that Wachholtz is more likely to throw deep.

And he said he has noticed nothing in the way of USC players becoming polarized by their loyalty to one quarterback or the other.

Otton agrees. And he said he and Wachholtz have remained friends despite their differences about Robinson’s job-sharing program.

“Our friendships has gotten stronger as the season’s gone on,” Otton said. “It’s been tough, but after every game, no matter what’s happened, we’ve been able to be excited about winning. … It’s OK, as long as we’re winning.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos (1 Color)