Matchup Has Extra Meaning for Rucker

Defensive end Frostee Rucker has been looking forward to Saturday’s game against Colorado State since the matchup was finalized in December.

Rucker, a junior from Tustin, redshirted at Colorado State in 2001 before transferring to USC in 2002 because of legal problems.

“I have a lot of friends there still and talk on the phone with them all the time,” Rucker said. “When they came up on the schedule my eyes brightened up.”

In April 2002, Rucker was charged in Colorado with sexual assault and indecent exposure. He eventually accepted a one-year deferred sentence on a misdemeanor harassment charge.

“Everything happens for a reason -- that really sticks in my mind when it comes to that,” Rucker said. “When I was going through it ... I was down. My head was down all the time.... But I got to rebound and be here, and I’m just blessed now.”

Freshman Jeff Schweiger made a push for Rucker’s starting spot, but Coach Pete Carroll said Rucker solidified his position this week in practice. “He’ll get the majority of plays,” Carroll said. “He needs to be in there because of his experience.”

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USC is still awaiting a report it requested from the Los Angeles Police Department related to a sexual assault investigation that involves at least one member of the football team, said Michael L. Jackson, the school’s vice president of student affairs.

Law enforcement sources told The Times on Wednesday that criminal charges were not expected to be filed in the case, citing a lack of evidence.

The student affairs office has not started an investigation, Jackson said.