Backfield Depth Comes in Handy

The running back corps is the deepest part of USC’s team, and it’s a good thing after the loss of versatile tailback Malaefou MacKenzie (knee), who was expected to play almost as much as starter Chad Morton.

Among the players USC will turn to is junior Petros Papadakis, who got a career-high eight carries against Purdue and rushed for 22 yards and a touchdown.

But on Wednesday, with Papadakis sitting out of contact drills because of shoulder soreness, standout freshman Frank Strong ran a lot of plays, and junior Jabari Jackson was also in the mix.

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There’s a chance standout linebacker Mark Cusano still won’t be ready to start against San Diego State after playing less than 30 plays against Purdue as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, and strong safety Grant Pearsall’s availability is a question because of a strained ligament in his right knee.

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Hackett faces a decision soon on who the emergency quarterback will be if freshman Jason Thomas undergoes arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue in his left ankle, as seems more likely. Hackett called quarterback-turned-receiver Quincy Woods “the most probable” candidate if that happens.