Hackett Sounds Upbeat About Fox

Coach Paul Hackett is clearly enamored of the “excitement and electricity” quarterback John Fox brought when he relieved Mike Van Raaphorst in the second half against California, but he’s going to play it close to the vest about naming a starter against Arizona State.

“First of all, don’t believe a lot of what I say this week,” Hackett said. “I’ll probably name the wrong guy Tuesday. I’ve got to stay on the fence.”

Hackett was pleased with Fox’s mobility and stronger arm as well as the more intangible “spark” he brought to the game, although Fox also missed some open receivers.

“Certainly he’s more ready to play now than he’s ever been. We’ll just have to make a decision,” Hackett said, acknowledging that uncertainty could be an advantage because Arizona State won’t know whether to prepare for one, the other, or both quarterbacks.

“We’re trying to win one game any way we can, by hook or by crook,” Hackett said. “We’re not thinking about yesterday or next year.”

Van Raaphorst, who could be about to lose the starting job on the heels of a school-record 415-yard passing performance against Stanford, said he’ll just keep on working to improve.

“I don’t expect anything. I’m just going to go out and work,” he said.

Fox too.

“I just leave it up to Coach,” Fox said. “He’s been doing this longer than any of us. We just play. I trust him to do what’s right for the team.”

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Hackett, often criticized for not using the shotgun formation, said for the first time he’ll consider during the off-season whether to implement it at USC in certain situations--but he won’t try it this season.

“To do it in mainstream with an iffy quarterback situation and centers who’ve never done it seems ambitious,” he said.