Rideaux Debut Likely This Week

Freshman cornerback Darrell Rideaux is likely to make his debut for the Trojans this week after missing the opening game because of a sore back.

Rideaux returned to practice Sunday, but is only scheduled to practice Tuesday and Thursday, taking Wednesday off.

“Hopefully the rest gave him some strength back, so if we don’t pound him down like training camp did, he should be able to make progress,” Coach Paul Hackett said. “That’s what the doctors seem to think, that they can have him ready for some play on Saturday. I don’t think he’ll be 100%, but he’ll be available, which will be great.”

Rideaux, from Long Beach Poly High, cracked USC’s top four at cornerback during training camp and was expected to play a key role, but he isn’t listed on the two-deep for San Diego State after a layoff caused by chronic back spasms and fatigue.

“I’m looking forward to this week,” Rideaux said. “It’s a matter of where I fit in the game plan. That’s my only concern. I think, obviously, because I’ve been out so long, we have guys who have been competing. So now I have to find out where I fit into the scheme of things.”

Although a redshirt year is always a thought for a freshman, Rideaux is probably too valuable in a secondary with only one veteran for that to be a consideration unless his back worsens.

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Last season’s San Diego State game was R. Jay Soward’s self-described “coming-out party” after a one-game suspension for academic reasons.

It was quite a show: He scored three touchdowns and had 256 all-purpose yards, including a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown.

“That was real exciting. I didn’t play the first game, so you know, my emotions were real high, just like they are for Saturday,” Soward said.

He caught only three passes against Hawaii, none longer than 16 yards, and didn’t break a long return, either, finishing the game with a slightly sore ankle that no longer troubles him.

“It’s fine. I’m getting ready, getting psyched up,” Soward said. “The bye week, that was kind of hard for us, sitting around for a week. You’ve got to get yourself ready. It’s really like the start of the season for me again after sitting out. I’m excited.”

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Kickoff for USC’s game at Oregon Sept. 25 has been set for 7:15 p.m. to accommodate a Fox Sports Net national cable broadcast that will be seen locally on Fox Sports West.