It’s a Snap for Van Raaphorst

Reserve quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst has taken more than his usual number of snaps this week and finished Thursday’s practice by directing the two-minute offense.

The senior has been called into action because Carson Palmer is nursing a sore shoulder.

“Carson is a little banged up, everybody can see that,” Van Raaphorst said. “I’m just waiting to see what happens.”

As was the case earlier this week, Palmer and his leading receiver, Kareem Kelly, took it easy on Thursday. The injured pair is still expected to start against Oregon on Saturday.

“Will they both be 100%? I doubt it,” Coach Paul Hackett said. “But this is a big game so they’ll do what they have to do.”

It was against Oregon last season that Palmer broke his collarbone and Van Raaphorst stepped in to complete 20 of 36 passes for 227 yards.

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The Trojans will continue to try combinations of players in the secondary, Hackett said.

Kevin Arbet, Chris Cash and Darrell Rideaux will take turns at the corners. Kris Richard, still slowed because of injury, will return punts and play sparingly on defense, Hackett said.

Ifeanyi Ohalete, who sprained an ankle last Saturday, was able to practice and should join the rotation at safety with Troy Polamalu, DeShaun Hill and Frank Strong.

Tight end Antoine Harris has been cleared by the doctors and Hackett said he will start.