Key Players May Miss Oregon Trip

As if USC did not have a big enough challenge traveling north to face No. 7 Oregon on Saturday, the Trojans might have to play without a starter and a key reserve.

Outside linebacker Matt Grootegoed sat out another day of practice Tuesday because of a nagging shoulder injury. Grootegoed was on the sideline last week and could remain there for at least a few more days.

“I’m letting it rest,” he said. “Hopefully it will heal.”

Coach Pete Carroll said he might not make a final decision on the redshirt freshman until Friday. Even if Grootegoed doesn’t practice, Carroll said, “he’s really bright and I wouldn’t mind using him.”

There is no such possibility for backup guard Joe McGuire, who was scheduled for arthroscopic surgery for damaged knee cartilage. McGuire is expected to miss at least four weeks, which means reserves Nate Steinbacher and Travis Watkins could move into the rotation.

The Trojans got good news Tuesday when the Pacific 10 Conference announced that Melvin Simmons must sit out only one season after transferring from Washington State. Normally, any player who transfers within the conference must sit out two seasons. “I’m just happy about the decision,” Simmons said. “I wanted it so bad I think I made it happen.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior started 10 games at middle and weak-side linebacker for the Cougars last season. He had 59 tackles, fourth best on the team.

But last April he was badly injured in a fraternity brawl at Washington State.

At the time the university investigated the incident as potentially a racially motivated attack.

Simmons’ younger brother, Marvin, was the prized USC recruit whose test scores were challenged by the Pac-10 and NCAA.

Marvin Simmons has enrolled at Orange Coast College in hopes of eventually transferring to USC.

“Oh, yeah,” Melvin said. “We’ll be playing together.”

USC and UCLA have entered into a four-year deal to compete for an award that will go to the school winning the most head-to-head contests.

The “Lexus Gauntlet” will involve more than a dozen men’s and women’s sports ranging from football and basketball to golf and water polo. The first event in the competition will be Friday when the UCLA women’s volleyball team plays at USC.