Kentucky Job Still Possibility for Chow

Norm Chow, USC’s offensive coordinator, remains well in the mix to become head coach at Kentucky.

Asked Saturday if there had been any recent contact with Kentucky representatives, Chow said, “No comment.”

Chow said Friday that he had not heard from Kentucky representatives since interviewing with Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart last Sunday. Barnhart has said that he wanted to name a coach by Christmas.

Broadcast outlets in Mississippi reported Saturday that Mississippi Coach David Cutcliffe accepted the Kentucky job after meeting with Barnhart on Friday. Cutcliffe acknowledged the meeting took place, but announced Saturday night that he was not a candidate.

California Coach Jeff Tedford and West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez also were contacted by Kentucky, but they signed contract extensions Friday and Saturday, respectively.

New Orleans Saint assistant Mike Riley and Central Florida Coach Mike Kruczek also have been mentioned as candidates to replace Guy Morriss, who left Kentucky to become coach at Baylor.

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The Orange Bowl game against Iowa won’t be until Jan. 2, and it can’t come soon enough for USC.

“We have to get out of here and get this week over and not peak too soon,” Coach Pete Carroll said after Saturday’s practice. “We’re ready to play a game one more day from now.”

The Trojans will play a mock game Monday and then take two days off before departing for Miami.

“Monday will be like our Saturday,” Carroll said. “We’ll take a break and then start it over one more time for game week.”

Freshman offensive lineman Fred Matua looked game-ready when he leveled linebacker Bobby Otani on a screen pass during competitive team drills.

“I haven’t felt that in a long time,” said Matua, who had knee surgery in October and will redshirt.

Said Carroll: “It was a good clean shot. The kind that keeps everybody attentive.”

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Tight end Gregg Guenther, who had arthroscopic knee surgery Dec. 4, took part in team drills for the first time and said he would be ready to play against Iowa.

“They don’t want to push me too much,” he said. “When we get to Miami, I’ll go full contact.

“There’s a stiffness, but nothing that is too bad.”

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About a dozen members of the football team remained after practice and cheered loudly as the USC women’s volleyball team defeated Stanford to win the NCAA championship.... Each USC player is allotted six tickets for the Orange Bowl, and freshman receiver Mike Williams said he made it clear to friends in Tampa that all of his are spoken for. “I’m taking care of my family,” said Williams, who is from Tampa. “Everybody needs to know they have to go out and buy their own.”