Wilson Shrugs Off ‘Worst Game Ever’

Senior guard Zach Wilson made his first start of the season, and 30th of his USC career, in the loss to Kansas State last week.

Wilson thought it was noteworthy, though not worth celebrating.

“I was getting killed,” he said Wednesday. “That was my worst game ever.”

Wilson is confident that he will redeem himself Saturday when the No. 18 Trojans play No. 23 Oregon State in their Pacific 10 Conference opener at the Coliseum.

Wilson injured his left foot on the first day of training camp and did not return to practice until the week before the Trojans’ Sept. 14 game at Colorado. He played three series at the end of the 40-3 victory and was installed in the starting lineup at right guard against Kansas State.

“I thought I was ready, but I hadn’t done anything for five weeks and it showed,” Wilson said. “I’m feeling better this week. I’ll be ready to go.”

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USC Coach Pete Carroll said senior tailback Sultan McCullough appears to be thriving on competition from senior Justin Fargas, who is participating in all drills at full speed for the first time since training camp.

“It’s the best Sultan has ever practiced since I’ve been here,” said Carroll, in his second season with the Trojans. “It’s a good setting right now. Neither one wants to take a back seat, so we’ll just let them loose and see how they do.”

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The competition between kickers David Davis and Ryan Killeen is adding a dose of drama to practices.

Davis, who struggled the last two games, made all three of his field-goal attempts, the last from 42 yards. Killeen made two of three attempts.

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With Ronald Nunn out for the rest of the season because of a knee injury, safety John Walker worked some at left cornerback.

Redshirt William Buchanon, who replaced Nunn after he was injured against Kansas State, appears on track to start against Oregon State, but Justin Wyatt and Marcell Allmond could also play.

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USC’s receiving corps might be thin against Oregon State. Jason Mitchell sat out again because of back soreness but said he will try to return today. Grant Mattos sat out again because of a strained abdominal muscle.

Gary Klein