USC’s Soward, Claiborne Keep ‘Em Guessing

USC linebacker Chris Claiborne said he plans to wait until Tuesday to announce whether he’s leaving early for the NFL, but he’s going, going . . .

As for receiver R. Jay Soward, he’s here one day, gone the next.

“I’m going to the NFL. I just announced it,” Soward said and turned his back for a moment, then turned around laughing. “No, I’m staying in school.”

Soward, who had six catches for 64 yards, has said he is leaning toward staying and would make up his mind after the game. But after the game, he said he’d made his decision Wednesday night.

“I’ve already made my decision. I’m not going to announce it yet,” he said, as he talked about being a senior and the Trojans’ prospects. “Hopefully, I’ll be playing for USC next year. If not, hopefully I’ll be playing with Brett Favre.”

Claiborne has insisted he wanted to be a team player by waiting until after the game to make an announcement or interview prospective agents.

After the loss, when asked if the disappointment of the game would have any effect on his decision, he said, “None.”

He emphasized that he wants to seek Hackett’s counsel, but even while Hackett calls Claiborne “my No. 1 recruit,” he admits the prospect of being a top-five draft pick is “rare air” very difficult to pass up.

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USC was one for 11 on third down.

TCU was a stunning 10 for 16, converting on short- and long-yardage situations almost at will.

TCU’s ground attack helped the Horned Frogs dominate the ball, holding it almost 36 minutes to win the time of possession battle, 35:51 to 24:09.

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TCU’s victory meant something special to receiver Michael Crawford, who grew up a USC fan in Orange County and said he couldn’t help singing the Trojans’ fight song at the beginning of the game.

“It’s like a dream come true. I always wanted to play for them, but beating them is just as good,” Crawford said.

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A spate of injuries left USC’s defense at considerably less than full strength.

Defensive tackle Aaron Williams didn’t play because of a sprained ankle, safety Ifeanyi Ohalete left the game because of a right ankle sprain, tackle Ennis Davis sprained his left knee during the game, linebacker Mark Cusano sprained his right elbow and linebackers David Gibson and Darryl Knight suffered concussions.

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How bad was the Trojan running game?

USC gained only 27 yards in 21 carries, and the 47 yards in sack losses Palmer took along with a three-yard loss by Morton added up to minus-23 yards.

That was a school-record low, eclipsing the mark of minus-14 against Washington in 1996.

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The financial hit USC is taking on unsold tickets for the Sun Bowl is being diminished by the Pacific 10 Conference as part of a new policy this season, Athletic Director Mike Garrett said. “The conference is paying for half, because they realize the games other than the Rose Bowl don’t sell out,” Garrett said.

USC used only about 1,500 of its mandatory purchase of 8,000 tickets. The Pac-10, which also is assisting teams that played in the Hawaii bowl games, will pay for 4,000, reducing USC’s share to about $90,000 as opposed to the potential $230,000 hit that would have come out of expenses.

USC hopes to clear about $125,000 on the Sun Bowl after expenses, Garrett said.

The $1-million payout includes $750,000 for expenses and $250,000 split among conference schools.

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Larry Parker, a fifth-year senior whose USC career was threatened by a foot injury last season, went out with one of his best performances. He caught four passes for 104 yards.