USC Trojans-Oregon Ducks: Trojans Limp into Autzen Stadium

The Trojans will definitely try to put their best foot forward on Saturday, but it may be somewhat gimpy.

What amounts to the biggest Pac-10 game of the year comes at a time when the Trojans are bruised and banged up.

First off, their leading receiver as far as yards per catch, tight end Anthony McCoy, will not even make the trip to Oregon as he stays home nursing a sprained ankle. McCoy is also second on the team behind wideout Damian Williams in overall receiving yards.

Williams is banged up as well but will make the trip. He has a bruised glute and did not practice until Thursday. He completed most of the drills and is expected to see some action. However, Williams declined to comment on his condition.

Versatile fullback Stanley Havili—who has been dealing with a sprained shoulder—was cleared by team doctors today and will also make the trip. However, Pete Carroll intends to start D. J. Shoemate at fullback.

Wide receiver David Ausberry said he will miss the game with a strained calf and did not know if he would return next week. Meanwhile backup safety Drew McAllister has been on crutches since Monday. He has a severe hip flexor, and no timetable has been set for his return.

That once huge stable of running backs has been decimated lately by surgeries. It has been one month since Stafon Johnson’s freak weightlifting accident that saw him undergo surgery on his crushed throat. Also, Marc Tyler was scheduled to have surgery Thursday on his fractured big toe.

Both Johnson and Tyler will miss the remainder of the season.

Tailback Joe McKnight completed the entire workout Thursday after sitting out Wednesday’s practice. He had a hamstring strain that was causing tightness behind his right knee. If that weren’t enough, McKnight also is recovering from bruised knuckles that required heavy bandaging.

Curtis McNeal has also been banged up, which leaves Allen Bradford and C. J. Gable, who played tailback on the scout team all week, as the only tailbacks not currently plagued by serious health concerns.

Before the season started, I expected USC would lose at least two games. This was one of them. But when Boise State tagged Oregon in the opener, I was greatly surprised and a little less concerned. However, after the Ducks' remarkable recovery and climb into the top-10, there is every reason for concern once again. The health of the Trojans only increases that concern.

Mix in the rain that is in the forecast and Autzen Stadium, one of the loudest venues in college football, where Duck fans can get ultra crazy, and I see a very tough road for the Trojans to climb as banged up as they are.

Combine all this with the fact that it’s not just any night game, but Halloween night, and Duck fans intend to celebrate with a total black out. Everyone will be clothed in black including the players. I don’t think that will have as big an effect on the Trojans as all the injuries. Nevertheless, keep your fingers crossed, Trojan fans, and let’s see if Halloween brings USC a trick or a treat.