GAME DAY

* Time: 12:30 p.m.

* Site: Coliseum.

* TV: Channel 7.

* Radio: XTRA (690).

* When USC has the ball: The Trojan running game hit a wall last week, totaling only 63 yards against Oregon State. “We have to be able to run the ball,” Coach Paul Hackett said. “It’s that age-old thing.” Tailback Sultan McCullough, who missed most of the second half because of a bruised knee, looked healthy in practice this week. Petros Papadakis, who suffered a concussion, is also expected to play. But history is not on USC’s side, not with an Arizona defense that held the Trojans to minus-20 yards rushing in Tucson last season. And that was an off year for the so-called “Desert Swarm.” This season, the Wildcats appear to be revived, holding opponents to 75 yards rushing and nine points a game.

* When Arizona has the ball: The Wildcats’ offensive line has three starters and a reserve battling injuries, yet tailback Clarence Farmer ran for 116 yards in a victory at Stanford last Saturday. Arizona won with a conservative attack that offensive coordinator Dino Babers referred to as “Neanderthal.” The USC secondary got burned last Saturday by the long pass and the front seven surrendered 234 yards to Oregon State tailback Ken Simonton. So the primary mission on defense is a mirror image of the offense: “If we cannot stop the run, we won’t win,” Hackett said.

* Key to the game: It’s the same old story for USC, whose winning record does not reflect the doubts surrounding this team. The Trojans have yet to play to the level of expectation this season, nor have they shown sustained improvement in any area save for kickoffs. If they are to win, they must start fast and avoid mistakes.

* Fast fact: In a season of problems on special teams, David Bell has put 13 of 20 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. Three other kicks have not been returned past the 20-yard line. The Trojans rank third in the Pacific 10 Conference in kickoff coverage.

* Line: USC by 7.

HOW THEY COMPARE

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USC Arizona 25.2 Scoring 19.5 18.5 Points allowed 9.0 245.5 Passing 136.5 154.8 Rushing 142.2 400.2 Total offense 278.8 195.0 Passing defense 212.8 117.8 Rushing defense 75.2 312.8 Total defense 288.0

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