Former Trojan Observes From Afar

Jason Thomas turned on the USC-Oregon game in Las Vegas late Saturday night and saw Mike Van Raaphorst at quarterback.

On Sunday, he heard the news: Carson Palmer is out because of a broken collarbone, perhaps for the rest of the season.

“It was total shock,” said Thomas, the highly regarded prospect who transferred from USC to Nevada Las Vegas last summer after realizing he wasn’t going to get a chance to unseat Palmer.

“Naturally, I’m human, that was my first thought: ‘Damn, I could be there.’ But that’s the way life goes.

“I made the decision I made, and if I was there, maybe he wouldn’t have gotten hurt. It’s unfortunate. I regret that it happened to Carson. He’s one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.”

Thomas says there’s no point in second-guessing himself. There’s also no guarantee he would have beaten out former starter Van Raaphorst.

Still, he couldn’t help calling USC offensive coordinator Hue Jackson to talk Monday.

“He let me know to have patience, and said I’ve got to take this as a life experience,” Thomas said. “I’m sure I might have another decision where I could wait or do something immediately. Last year, I didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“Next time I might do something different or I might make the same decision. I’ll know I have experience to draw on.”

Thomas is sitting out this season under NCAA transfer rules, but is expected to start for Coach John Robinson when he becomes eligible next season.

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Verle Sorgen, Pacific 10 officiating coordinator, said Coach Paul Hackett had called Monday, asking him to review the holding call that nullified Chad Morton’s potential game-winning touchdown in USC’s 33-30 triple-overtime loss. Sorgen said he has not had a chance to view the tape, but officials are graded in a system that determines who works in postseason play.