Fox Won’t Rest as No. 2 Guy

Backup quarterback John Fox may not get in the game today, but he thinks he is ready, despite his recent two-way tour of duty as a reserve linebacker and emergency quarterback.

“I’ve stayed with it, running the scout team. It’s not like I haven’t been throwing,” said Fox, who started nine games at quarterback in 1997.

He also said not to assume that Mike Van Raaphorst doesn’t have any competition after taking over for injured starter Carson Palmer. Fox would like to start before the season is over.

“Right now, that’s probably not what we need. We need to get established,” he said. “But I’m not here to be the backup the rest of the season, if that’s what you mean. I’m going to battle Mike, and if that means he’s stronger at the end of the season, then good. If not, I’m going to take the job. I accept my role, but I’m going to keep competing.”

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Coach Paul Hackett acknowledged that six false starts against Oregon were the results not only of crowd noise but of an effective flinching move by the Oregon defensive linemen. It’s illegal in the NFL but legal in college, and Hackett credited Oregon with “great coaching.”

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Matt McShane, who started eight games last season, will start at center because Eric Denmon has a nagging knee injury, although Denmon is listed as possible for the game.

Left guard Donta Kendrick, who has a sore ankle, also is listed as possible after practicing only lightly this week.

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Today’s game is the 1,000th in USC football history, which began with a 16-0 victory over Alliance Athletic Club on Nov. 14, 1888. USC is the 37th school to reach the 1,000-game milestone.

The Trojans have a 669-276-54 record.

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A crowd of about 45,000 is expected at the Coliseum.