Looks Like Fox Is Back at Quarterback

With new quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst extremely doubtful for the Oregon State game this week because of the severe ankle sprain he suffered Saturday, USC is ready to turn back to John Fox.

“John was our starter. He played seven games for us,” offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said. “On we go.”

Fox completed three of five passes for 64 yards and a 30-yard touchdown to R. Jay Soward after coming in to replace Van Raaphorst at the beginning of the fourth quarter against Stanford. He has completed 121 of 218 passes for 1,354 yards and eight touchdowns with five interceptions this season.

Van Raaphorst ran the offense effectively before being hurt, completing 12 of 21 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown in his second start before he “felt a pop” when a defender rolled on his ankle when he was tackled on a scramble.

“It’s too bad for him,” Coach John Robinson said. “He’s just starting out. It’s been the same for John and a bunch of our kids, like [tailback] Malaefou MacKenzie.”

Fox lost the job partly because of ineffective passing that might have been caused in part by the ankle injury affecting his throwing mechanics. However, he says the recent rest has helped.

He doesn’t figure to face any challenge from Quincy Woods, though, because Woods threw a fourth-quarter interception Saturday.

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Oregon State, the team coached by former USC assistant Mike Riley that stands between the Trojans and a bowl invitation, is 3-6 and winless in Pacific 10 games.

“Oregon State has played hard all the time, and at home this time of year it can be difficult game,” Robinson said. “I’ve never gone to Corvallis without a sense that it’s going to be a difficult job. It will be this Saturday.”

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NEXT FOR USC

WHO: Oregon State

WHERE: Parker Stadium

WHEN: Saturday, 1: p.m.

TV: None

RADIO: KLSX-FM (97.1)