Time, as in Bye, Heals All Wounds

Some USC coaches and players have not-so-quietly groused about having two byes in the first month of the season, but the sparse schedule could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

On Wednesday, 10 or so players--including center Eric Denmon and several other offensive linemen--were stricken with flu and could not suit up for practice.

“We were going to scrimmage at the end with the young guys but we could not do it,” Coach Paul Hackett said.

With an open weekend coming up, Hackett could afford to have what he called a slow day on the practice field.

Tailback Malaefou MacKenzie, cornerback Kris Richard, defensive lineman Lonnie Ford and other players continued to nurse their injuries. Hackett also gave the day off to linebacker Zeke Moreno, who was simply tired and sore after the Colorado game.

It may be the coach’s last chance this season to be so generous.

“We’re going to have some nicks and bruises down the road and we won’t have the luxury,” he said.

The Trojans hope to have more healthy bodies available for practice today, when they are scheduled to begin preparations for San Jose State and its potent one-back offense.

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Four USC players who helped an injured fellow student will receive commendations from Lt. Gov. Cruz M. Bustamente at his downtown office this morning.

Kyle Matthews, Bernard Riley, Steve Stevenson and Malcolm Wooldridge came to the aid of Danielle Dauenhauer after she fell backward out of the window of her second-story apartment and was impaled through the buttocks by security bars on a ground-floor window.

The players held Dauenhauer to prevent further injury and comforted her until medical help arrived.