MacKenzie Probably Will Sit It Out

Malaefou MacKenzie, USC’s short-yardage tailback, is expected to sit out Saturday’s game against San Diego State because of a nagging hamstring injury.

“He is in jeopardy of re-injuring his hamstring and probably needs a week off,” Coach Paul Hackett said. “I’m overreacting because I think now is the time to overreact, at least until midseason.”

MacKenzie scored three touchdowns in USC’s goal-line offense against Hawaii. But the hamstring injury--which is related to his rehabilitation from surgery on his left knee--cropped up again in the last few days.

Sultan McCullough will pick up more carries behind starter Chad Morton, but the more interesting issue will be who gets the ball in goal-line situations because Frank Strong, who is next in line, fumbled twice against Hawaii.

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Injured tailback Petros Papadakis visited Heritage Hall in a wheelchair Tuesday and must see doctors again because an infection has developed in his surgically repaired right foot.

Being in a wheelchair, he said he has noticed a certain “camaraderie” with some other physically challenged students.

He hasn’t applied for a handicapped parking placard.

“I don’t have a car,” he said. “And I can’t drive [because of his foot.] But I’m sure it would be legal.”

Still, he managed one little zinger: “We understand the handicapped plight here at USC, because of our Swim With Mike.”

“Swim with Mike” is the annual swim-a-thon that raises funds for physically challenged athletes at USC in honor of Mike Nyeholt, a former USC All-American swimmer who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident.