COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT

Coach Larry Smith said tailback Estrus Crayton’s performance in the Trojans’ 31-14 loss to Arizona last Saturday shouldn’t be minimized, even though the Wildcats rank among the worst defensive teams in the Pacific 10 Conference.

“Sure, you factor in the defense, but still, you have to look at how he made some of those runs,” Smith said of Crayton, who gained 185 yards in 27 carries. “He used speed and talent on some of those runs, too. He hit the holes extremely quick and turned a six-, seven-yard gain, which was there because of the blocking, into . . . I think we had him for six or eight runs of 10-plus yards. That’s good big-play ability.”

Senior offensive guard Derrick Deese, who has missed four games because of an elbow injury, is expected to play Saturday. . . . Freshman offensive guard Robert Loya is expected to be granted a medical redshirt year, retaining four years of eligibility. Loya has not played since the opener because of a pinched nerve in his neck.