USC VS. OREGON / NOTES

Van Raaphorst to Start in Oregon-Like Conditions

With rain probable for today, USC Coach Paul Hackett is relieved the Trojans got a taste of difficult conditions in a chilly drizzle at Washington State last week.

Like Washington State, Oregon plays on artificial turf, another test for a USC team used to grass and sunny weather.

Hackett said he watched carefully last week to get a feel for how his key players function in wet conditions--especially quarterbacks Mike Van Raaphorst and Carson Palmer.

“I thought Carson played very well. Certainly Mike will still start,” he said.

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Oregon’s Autzen Stadium is unfamiliar turf for the Trojans. USC hasn’t played at Oregon since 1993. The teams didn’t meet in 1995 or ‘96, missing each other on the Pac-10 schedule.

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There will be what amounts to a UC Davis reunion on the field before the game.

Hackett and Oregon’s Mike Bellotti both attended Davis, as did USC assistant Ken O’Brien and Oregon assistants Bob Foster, Neal Zoumboukos and Chris Petersen.

Many of the coaches are close, and Hackett tried to recruit some of the Davis alumni for the USC staff.

The ties are still strong. One of Hackett’s sons, Nathaniel, is a freshman tight end redshirting at Davis this season.

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The offensive line was the bumps-and-bruises brigade this week--with tackles Brent McCaffrey, Rome Douglas, Ken Bowen and Matt Welch all missing time because of various ailments.

“I’ve been assured everything’s mild and not to worry,” Hackett said.

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Linebacker Mark Cusano, troubled because of a lingering quadriceps injury, is considered available only for emergency duty.

HOW THEY COMPARE

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USC Oregon 31.4 Scoring 48.5 20.4 Points allowed 23.5 189.1 Passing 282.0 147.7 Rushing 240.8 336.9 Total offense 522.8 185.7 Passing defense 215.3 146.4 Rushing defense 154.2 332.1 Total defense 369.5

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