It Appears That Soward Won’t Be at Full Speed

The Trojans admit they’re being a little cagey about receiver R. Jay Soward’s status for Saturday, but Soward didn’t try to run Tuesday as planned and it appears he won’t be 100% against UCLA even if he plays.

“There’s no way I can see he won’t make the game. The question, I think, is what his effectiveness will be,” USC Coach Paul Hackett said. Soward was walking and is no longer wearing a “boot” on his severely sprained right ankle. But he had another set of X-rays taken Tuesday because doctors were concerned about the ankle’s progress 1 1/2 weeks after he injured it against Stanford. Hackett said there were no problems immediately apparent.

Even if he plays, Soward isn’t expected to return kickoffs or punts.

“We’ll miss him on returns. He always lights up UCLA,” said receiver Larry Parker, who will start if Soward doesn’t and will help on returns along with Chad Morton and Daylon McCutcheon.

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Marc Matock, the defensive tackle who broke his ankle against Arizona State less than six weeks ago, has made a remarkable comeback and has a chance to play against UCLA.

“He’s bound and determined to get in there against the Bruins,” said Hackett, who was still deciding whether to hold Matock out until the Notre Dame game.

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Darrell Rideaux, a highly regarded cornerback from Long Beach Poly High School, said he has decided to attend USC next year. He joins Poly teammate Kareem Kelly, a receiver, and Los Alamitos High defensive lineman Bernard Riley as the highest-profile recruits among the players who say they plan to sign letters of intent with USC in February.