Washington Back as Starting Tailback

A season after scoring on a touchdown and two-point conversion in the final minutes to send the Notre Dame game to overtime, Delon Washington will start for USC at tailback today.

Washington had fallen to third string after two poor games this season as the starter, but with freshman Malaefou MacKenzie recovering from a sprained shoulder (he’s available to play) and LaVale Woods already out because of an ankle injury, USC announced the move Friday.

Washington has been a major disappointment this season but showed signs of playing better last week; he gained 34 yards on one play, which would have been the Trojans’ longest run of the season but for a holding penalty.

“Our main focus is to come in and prove ourselves,” Washington said. “I’m trying to help the team as much as I can, even though the season hasn’t turned out like we all wanted it to.”

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The leader of Notre Dame’s defense is linebacker Kory Minor, a junior from La Puente Bishop Amat who was a high school teammate of USC’s Daylon McCutcheon.

“Kory Minor has played probably better than anyone on defense,” Notre Dame Coach Bob Davie said. “I would have to say he is our best defensive player right now, based on productivity.

“He takes the signals from the sidelines. He calls the defenses in the huddle. He is our leader. He has done well.”

Other Southern Californians who play key roles for the Irish are starting defensive end Brad Williams, a sophomore from Santa Ana Mater Dei, and freshman flanker Joey Getherall from Bishop Amat. Getherall is recovering from a knee injury but should be close to 100%.