Morton to Share the Load?

USC is likely to give another tailback a series early in the game at Notre Dame Saturday instead of relying so exclusively on starter Chad Morton.

“I think they want to see what the other backs can do,” said Morton, who shared time in practice this week as the carries were spread around.

‘We’re taking a lot of heat right now for the running game and if they feel other backs need to be in there and give them a chance, that’s fine with me. I’m not going to be that surprised if they go with somebody new early. I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing, and what I’ve known to do is just keep working hard.”

Coach Paul Hackett is still firm by Morton as No. 1, but is more inclined than he has been to give another tailback such as Sultan McCullough or Malaefou MacKenzie a full series instead of a carry here and there.

“The thing we don’t want to do is have a guy lose his rhythm,” Hackett said. “I think we’d have Chad take the first couple of series, maybe another guy take one and then have Chad come back.

“Chad’s still got to be the main guy, and I think he will be. When you’re attacking a defense, seeing someone with a different style sometimes can help both [runners].”

MacKenzie has looked strong in practice after sitting out four games because of a nagging hamstring injury, and he is expected to play for the first time since scoring three short-yardage touchdowns against Hawaii.

Another tailback, Frank Strong, has a history of fumbling that has held him back, but he may be reemerging.

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Receiver R. Jay. Soward still wasn’t 100% in practice Thursday and wore a yellow no-contact jersey again as he recovers from a concussion, but he is expected to be improved by Saturday.