Trojan Trio Is Capable of Many Happy Returns

With the kickoff return team USC will put on the field tonight, maybe San Diego State ought to dread scoring.

The deep man is slippery Chad Morton, who returned Purdue’s first kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the opener.

On his right is R. Jay Soward, return man extraordinaire, who is back from a one-game suspension and has kickoff returns of 98, 95, 78, 56 and 49 yards in his two-year career.

And on the other side is Daylon McCutcheon, who ran for almost 2,500 yards his senior season in high school--he had 10 scoring runs of 50 yards or more--and is the son of former all-pro running back Lawrence McCutcheon.

“Choose your death,” Soward said. “I think we’re going to see a lot of squibs, and not too many deep kicks. After we break one or two, teams aren’t going to kick it to us.”

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There are 37 San Diego State players from the Los Angeles area, 12 on the two-deep who are likely to play.

They are defensive linemen Gbaja-Biamila and his brother, Akbar, both from Crenshaw High; cornerback Tairou Smith and defensive lineman Antwone Young from Inglewood High, offensive lineman Andrew Kline from Beverly Hills High, receiver Damon Gourdine from El Camino College, tight end Jim Ange from Thousand Oaks High, defensive lineman James Wu from Mt. San Antonio College, defensive lineman Darryl Jones from Brethren Christian High, cornerback Kevin Burton from Banning High, receiver Sean Pierce from Covina South Hills High, and center Zach LaMonda from Anaheim Servite.

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Matt McShane will start at center ahead of Eric Denmon, who missed several practices for personal reasons. At fullback, Brennan Ochs or Ted Iacenda will start. Shamshud-Din Abdul-Shaheed will start at defensive end ahead of Lawrence Larry. . . . Along with Soward, backup safety Darnell Lacy returns from a one-game academic suspension. . . . Tonight’s captains are McCutcheon, receiver Mike Bastianelli and special teams player Prentice Hill.

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HOW THEY COMPARE*

USC

Scoring: 27

Points Allowed: 17

Passing: 168

Rushing: 106

Total Offense: 274

Passing Defense: 248

Rushing Defense: 99

Total Defense: 347

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San Diego State

Scoring: 14

Points Allowed: 26

Passing: 147

Rushing: 58

Total Offense: 205

Passing Defense: 111

Rushing Defense: 186

Total Defense: 297