COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : USC : Ailments Slow Top Two Tailbacks

USC’s top two tailbacks, starter Dwight McFadden and backup Scott Fields, are banged up. McFadden felt a pull in his back early in Monday’s workout and left practice. Fields seemed to run well in practice Monday, but Coach John Robinson said Tuesday that Fields has been bothered by a lower leg injury for a week.

Of McFadden’s back, Robinson said: “I don’t think it’s serious. If this were a Saturday game, I’d be in the trainer’s room right now, massaging it myself.”

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USC will bus to the Disneyland Hotel Friday for a news conference, visit Disneyland, then check into a hotel.

“On Saturday, I’m going to take the team to see ‘The Fugitive,’ ” Robinson said. “That’s the best damn movie I ever saw.”

The team plays North Carolina in the Pigskin Classic at Anaheim Stadium Sunday at 6 p.m.

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Robinson said it has been decided that two true freshmen, safety Sammy Knight from Riverside and fullback Taso Papadakis from Rancho Palos Verdes, will play this year. He said no decision has been made yet on kick returner/wide receiver Anthony Volsan of Merced.

Robinson said tailback Saladin McCullough still hasn’t cleared up his challenged SAT score. He didn’t sound hopeful McCullough would play this season.

LaVale Woods, the injured freshman tailback who sparkled at preseason training camp at UC Irvine, will “probably” redshirt, Robinson said. “He’s got a high ankle sprain, and they take a long time to heal.”