Kelly Struggles With Mounting Losses

With USC’s record at 3-6 and the Trojans tied for last in the Pacific 10 Conference, standout receiver Kareem Kelly has lost more games as a college freshman than he did in his entire high school career, something he is finding hard to handle.

“Any athletic program I’ve been a part of has been dominant,” Kelly said. “It’s not over with. This program still has a chance to be dominant. I guarantee before I leave here this will be a highly ranked team and a dominant program. Put that in quotes.”

Kelly’s Long Beach Poly went 36-5 during his three seasons and he played in two Southern Section Division I title games, winning the championship in 1997. Kelly also was part of two state track championship teams at Poly.

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USC lost to Washington State’s Rose Bowl team two seasons ago at the Coliseum, but the Trojans have not lost at Pullman since 1986, winning 10 of the last 11 overall. . . . USC did not hold its usual practice Sunday, instead only gathering for meetings and to watch film. . . . Paul Hackett’s record as USC coach fell to 11-11 Saturday, and he has won only three of his last 10 games, beginning with the Sun Bowl loss to Texas Christian last season. . . . Chad Morton needs to average a little less than 68 yards a game over the final three games to become the first USC running back to reach 1,000 since Delon Washington in 1995 and only the Trojans’ third 1,000-yard rusher of the 1990s. . . . Defensive tackle Aaron Williams (neck) and receiver Marcell Allmond (shoulder) are questionable for Saturday’s game at Washington State.