Van Raaphorst Adjusts as Backup

A difficult adjustment period has arrived for quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst, who lost USC’s starting job to Carson Palmer just as his own performance was improving.

“These things are never easy,” Coach Paul Hackett said. “He’s a very classy guy. I think it takes a little time. He has to switch roles. It’s tough.”

Van Raaphorst started USC’s first eight games, with Palmer coming on in relief every game. But when Palmer finally made his much-anticipated first start, Hackett never sent Van Raaphorst in.

“I had originally hoped to do that,” Hackett said. “At 14-0, you think you can. At 14-10, I didn’t think we could afford a momentum change.”

After Palmer passed for 279 yards in his first start--easily surpassing Van Raaphorst’s best game of 203 yards against California--Hackett said he’s going with Palmer the rest of the season.

“Mike’s going to be the backup,” he said.

Van Raaphorst was on the other side of the fence last year.

He beat out John Fox late in the season and started two games before an ankle injury knocked him out for the season--making Fox the starter again for the final two games.

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Kickoff for the UCLA game Nov. 21 at the Rose Bowl has been set for 12:30 p.m. to accommodate an ABC regional telecast.

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There are a couple of statistical races to watch down the stretch for USC:

* Can Chad Morton make it to 1,000 yards? Maybe.

After his fourth 100-yard game of the season Saturday, he needs 368 more with three games to go.

That would require him to average almost 123 yards a game, but his chances are much better if USC plays in a bowl game. He’d need to average only 92 yards over four more games.

* Can USC avoid setting a Pacific 10 Conference record for penalties in a season? Maybe not.

After being assessed 12 penalties Saturday, USC has 96, only 25 shy of the record of 121 shared by Arizona State and Cal.

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Next Up for USC

Who: Stanford

Where: at Palo Alto

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

TV: Ch. 9

Radio: XTRA (690)