Williams’ Status Still in Limbo

USC had hoped that Mike Williams’ eligibility status would finally be determined this week.

But Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that final information regarding Williams might not be sent to the NCAA until midweek at the earliest, meaning the All-America wide receiver could remain in limbo when the top-ranked Trojans open their season Saturday against Virginia Tech in the Black Coaches Assn. Football Classic at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.

“It didn’t go out today, and I’m not sure that it’s going out tomorrow either,” said a frustrated Carroll, whose team leaves Thursday for Baltimore. “I think there’s some additional stuff that they might be asking for. Something, because it hasn’t moved forward yet.”

USC has applied to the NCAA for a progress-toward-degree waiver and reinstatement of Williams’ eligibility.

Williams practiced sporadically with the Trojans while completing two summer-session classes, then returned to his hometown of Tampa, Fla. He came back to Los Angeles late last week for fall semester classes, which began Monday.

“I think we’re getting pushed where we don’t have an opportunity to do much,” Carroll said.

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Running back Hershel Dennis, who remains suspended indefinitely for violating team rules, was on campus for the first day of classes, Carroll said.

Law enforcement sources have said that Dennis is the focus of a sexual assault investigation that may involve a member or members of the football team. It is not clear what Dennis’ role was in an incident that allegedly occurred Aug. 16 in the complex where players were housed during training camp.

Carroll said he spoke to Dennis on Sunday night.

“He’s trying to do the best he can right now and take care of his classes,” Carroll said. “We’ll, in an ongoing fashion, keep track of what’s going on. I told him come on by and be around us.”

Capt. Al Michelena of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, Rape Special Section, said only that the investigation was continuing and his detectives were pursuing all possible leads.

“Our investigators are pursuing interviews with all interested parties,” Michelena said. “We are not going to identify the people who we are going to interview. But we hope everybody will be forthcoming.”

Carroll said that none of his players have been contacted by police.

Michael L. Jackson, USC’s vice president of student affairs, said the school had requested a copy of the police report and would not pursue an investigation until it was received.

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The Trojans had the day off from practice because of the first day of school. They resume practice today.

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Times staff writer Andrew Blankstein contributed to this report.