Morton Takes Offense

Tailback Chad Morton guaranteed a USC victory over UCLA for their game Saturday at the Coliseum and stands by his statement, but he took offense to comments by new UCLA quarterback Ryan McCann.

“Their quarterback, who is that guy?” Morton said. “I don’t care what string he is, he’s only played half a game and he’s talking about kicking SC’s [butt]?

“I can see it if DeShaun Foster said something like that. He put it down against us last year. He ran all over us. This guy? I saw the quote with his name, and I didn’t know who he was.

“He could have been the kicker or the water boy. That’s disrespectful too. I could see saying you’re going to win.”

Morton said he tried to be positive about his own statement. “I’m not trying to put down their players or their coaches. I’m not saying we’ll kill them or hurt them. But I’m still guaranteeing a win. I’m not backing down from what I said at all.

“We have to back it up or we’ll look like the biggest idiots. I’m willing to take that chance. Something has to be done different.”

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USC has injury trouble where it can least afford it against UCLA, with starting cornerback Antuan Simmons doubtful for the game because of back spasms.

Simmons played through pain Saturday against Washington State, but Coach Paul Hackett said he has spent the last two nights at USC University Hospital, with doctors hoping that stabilizing his back can improve his condition.

If Simmons doesn’t play, USC probably will have to use freshmen Darrell Rideaux and Kevin Arbet along with the other starter, Kris Richard, to try to defend UCLA standouts Danny Farmer and Freddie Mitchell--a tall task, to say the least.

Receiver R. Jay Soward has a sore hamstring but is expected to play.