Team’s Goals Have Different Spin After Two Losses

Less than two weeks ago, USC was unbeaten and the players, in all their youthful hubris, were talking about a national championship. Consecutive defeats have changed that.

“Certain things are unattainable at this point,” receiver Matt Nickels said. “We need to reevaluate our goals.”

The players and coaches insist they have not given up on going to the Rose Bowl, though they realize it is a longshot with USC so far down the conference standings.

“Tough if not impossible,” defensive coordinator Bill Young said. “But we’re going to keep trying.”

Coach Paul Hackett is taking a different approach. He wants his team to narrow its sights.

“I’ve talked to them about the fact that these losses make us focus on a singular goal . . . the game against Oregon [this] week,” he said. “There’s nothing else. That’s all I’m going to talk about.”

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The Oregon team that comes to the Coliseum on Saturday will look significantly different from the one that defeated USC, 33-30, in Eugene last season.

Maurice Morris, a junior college transfer, has taken over at tailback and is averaging 125 yards a game. He ran for 152 yards in a victory over Washington two weeks ago.

The Ducks also will have a different quarterback. The last time the teams met, A.J. Feeley threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns. This season, he has lost his job to Joey Harrington.

“I thought the guy we faced last year was pretty good,” Young said. “This other guy must be even better.”

For all the new faces, Young believes that some things about Oregon remain unchanged.

“They have a great I attack and they run the trap with their fullback very well,” he said. “You have to be right on the mark as a defensive team when you play them.”