Linebacker Williams to Get Knee Surgery Today

Linebacker Thomas Williams is scheduled to have arthroscopic knee surgery today, but the sophomore said Monday that he intended to return for the Trojans’ game against UCLA on Dec. 3.

Williams was injured early in the first quarter against California on Saturday after starting at middle linebacker in place of injured Oscar Lua.

“You play this game long enough, things are bound to happen,” said Williams, who also has had a groin injury for several weeks. “I’m disappointed, but it comes with the territory. I’m just glad that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.”

Williams said he was told he would undergo a 20-minute procedure and “would be right back on my feet.”

Lua did not practice Monday, but Coach Pete Carroll said he would start for the top-ranked Trojans on Saturday against 16th-ranked Fresno State if his left knee were sound.

Lua, however, said the knee still felt “shaky.”

“I felt real well against Cal, but that was when I had a [painkilling] shot in me,” said Lua, who did not play against the Golden Bears. “That makes a world of a difference.

“Right now I just feel a little stiff, a little painful.”

If Lua cannot play, freshman Rey Maualuga would make his first start and senior Collin Ashton would back him up.

“Collin is our ace in the hole,” Carroll said. “He can play all the spots.”

Ashton also could be the snapper on punts and place-kicks if sophomore Will Collins does not recover from a lower leg injury suffered against California.

Collins said X-rays were negative and that he would play Saturday.

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Receiver Steve Smith did not practice because he was attending to an academic matter, Carroll said. ... USC is 26-1 in games against Western Athletic Conference opponents. The Trojans’ only loss was a 24-7 defeat by Fresno State in the 1992 Freedom Bowl. ... USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin played for and coached at Fresno State.