Morton Appears Doubtful Again

USC is preparing to play without tailback Chad Morton a second week in a row, acknowledging he might be doubtful for Saturday’s game against California.

Morton won’t practice this week, Coach Paul Hackett said, and will decide shortly before the game if he can play.

“Ever since he fooled me before the Oregon State game, I hate to say [he’s doubtful,] but I suspect he is,” Hackett said.

Morton rushed for 123 yards against Oregon State even though he had a strained back, but was unable to play against Arizona State after taking a hit in the back against Florida State.

Morton received treatments during practice Wednesday, saying his back felt better, and is trying to recover lost conditioning on the bike or in the pool.

Either junior Petros Papadakis or freshman Frank Strong will start in Morton’s place, Hackett said, even if Morton is able to play.

“We don’t know where we are without Chad, so it will be interesting,” he said.

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A few Cal players enlivened the pregame discussion with comments to the Oakland Tribune about the state of the Trojan program, and Hackett quickly took note of the remarks.

“They’re no different than the Beavers or the Ducks or the Huskies,” linebacker Sekou Sanyika said. “They’re on the rise, trying to restore tradition. But that all seems to be gone.”

From quarterback Justin Vedder, who played at Laguna Hills High and Saddleback College: “They’re not the team they once were, obviously. But they’re still arrogant. You don’t really like playing a team that already thinks they’re the national champions. . . . It’s personal with ‘SC. It’s where I’m from.”

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Coaches have told Mark Cusano--who has been recovering from nagging hamstring and ankle injuries--that he’ll start at strong side linebacker this week. . . . Linebacker Chris Claiborne was excused from running because of a slightly sore knee but said he’ll be fine.