Drake Re-Injures Ankle

USC offensive lineman John Drake aggravated an ankle injury Saturday in USC’s 42-12 victory over Washington State and left a game for the second consecutive week.

Drake, the starting left guard, broke his left ankle last season against UCLA and suffered a mild sprain of the same ankle last week against Washington. He started Saturday but limped off the field midway through the first quarter and was replaced by Jeff Byers.

“It was a little more painful this time,” said Drake, who added he would have an MRI exam Monday but would play next week against Oregon State.

Sam Baker, the starting right guard, limped off the field in the second quarter because of a mild sprain of his right knee. He returned for a series but was held out the rest of the game.

Baker said he felt fine and would report for therapy at USC today.

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Reserve quarterback Brandon Hance made the trip, but Coach Pete Carroll said he did not play because he received nine stitches in his forehead Friday after being hit with a ball in practice.

“I think the laces must have hit him and he got a big gash in his head,” Carroll said. “They stitched him last night and he had his helmet on and was ready to go, but we didn’t need to do that.”