Williams Remains Unsure About Case

Mike Williams said Wednesday that he did not have a strong sense about how the NCAA would rule on his case, which could occur before the top-ranked Trojans play their season opener this weekend.

“One part of me just says the fact that they’re taking so long could be a good sign. They could have said no a long time ago,” Williams said during a short interview on campus. “The fact that they keep asking for stuff and asking for stuff, it makes me feel like they’re making a fair evaluation. They’re going to make a fair decision whichever way it goes. That’s the way I look at it.

“If they say yes, I’m sure they’re going to find a way so they have a reason for why they say yes. If they say no, they’ll have a reason for why they say no. That’s just common sense. So, we’ll see.”

Erik Christianson, the NCAA’s director of media relations, confirmed that final information regarding USC’s request for a progress-toward-degree waiver for Williams had been received. He said additional information the NCAA requested to complete USC’s petition for reinstatement of Williams’ eligibility was expected, “shortly.”

Top-ranked USC leaves this afternoon for Saturday’s game against Virginia Tech in the Black Coaches Assn. Football Classic at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.

“Obviously, we are mindful of the timing considerations that are involved here,” Christianson said. “The NCAA staff takes competition and start dates into consideration when working to reach a decision. At the same time, it’s nothing short of critical to make sure that we have necessary information to make a thorough and fair decision.”

Williams, who completed two summer-session classes, has not practiced with the Trojans since Aug. 10.

On Wednesday, Williams appeared upbeat as he walked through Heritage Hall carrying a black notebook binder that contained his fall semester class schedule and notes. Williams said he enjoyed being only a student, despite missing football.

“Actually, it’s more fun than you would ever imagine,” Williams said. “It’s cool because you get up and you go to class and you don’t have this big chunk of your day taken from you because of football.

“Now, football is what I do, but you don’t have that big chunk.... I’d rather be playing football than this, but it’s definitely a new experience. It’s cool.”

Williams said he had grown accustomed to not knowing his fate.

“The worst part about it is people asking, ‘Do you know anything yet?’ ” he said. “I’ve already switched gears into something else, and then people ask me. It just kind of brings me back to the whole thing.”

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The Trojans got a scare when running back Reggie Bush left practice to have X-rays taken of his left thumb. Bush returned to practice and said he suffered a sprain.... Offensive lineman Alatini Malu, who had an appendectomy Sunday, said he would sit out two to three weeks. Asked if he lost any weight from the ordeal, Malu said: “Some of my teammates said, ‘Did you have appendicitis or liposuction?” ... The Trojans will have a light practice this morning and then depart for Baltimore.