Parker Still Agonizing

Calling his costly penalty against California “a bonehead play,” receiver Larry Parker admitted he was retaliating against a Cal player and said he’s trying to move on after agonizing over his mistake for days.

“I felt so bad after that play,” he said. “It was the stupidest play I’ve made in my whole life.”

USC could have gone ahead, 38-18, if Petros Papadakis’ 58-yard touchdown run had counted, but Parker was flagged for a personal foul for shoving a Cal player from behind, more than 20 yards behind the play.

It was the turning point in a huge swing that led to Cal’s 32-31 upset.

“I couldn’t sleep. I think I made myself sick,” Parker said.

“I watched it [on videotape] one time. I don’t want to see it again. It’s totally not characteristic of me. That will never happen again.”

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Tailback Chad Morton practiced lightly, running a few plays for the first time in more than two weeks after missing two games because of a bruised back. Hackett remains cautious, saying, “I’m not willing to say yet that Chad is back.” . . . Right tackle Matt Welch, who didn’t play Saturday because of shoulder and neck soreness, didn’t practice and remains questionable.

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Gaius “Gus” Shaver, a consensus All-American back on USC’s 1931 national championship team, died Sunday at his home in Fallbrook. He was 88.

Shaver played in two Rose Bowl game victories and starred in the famous 16-14 last-minute victory over Notre Dame in 1931, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Johnny Baker’s field goal with one minute remaining broke Notre Dame’s 26-game unbeaten streak as the Trojans won at South Bend, Ind., for the first time. He was also a USC assistant from 1940-45.

A quarterback and fullback, Shaver led USC in rushing with 936 yards in 1931. that season. He was an assistant coach at USC from 1940-45.

Funeral services will be private. Donations may be made in Shaver’s name to the American Heart Assn.