Trojans Still Looking Back

The Trojans probably have broken their 24-hour rule, but after eight years, nobody wanted to let go of the victory over UCLA too soon.

“The eight years, the streak, all those things we’ve had to live with, it was just marvelous to have that lifted,” Coach Paul Hackett said.

“It’s been a marvelous two or three days. It’s certainly something we haven’t had a chance to savor all that much this year. I think we’re still savoring it. I just hope we don’t savor it too long to have an effect on Friday’s game against a very good football team.”

Tailback Chad Morton said USC is well aware of how good Louisiana Tech and quarterback Tim Rattay are, especially now that the Bulldogs have made their debut in the top 25.

“I know the seniors are fired up for this game,” Morton said. “I’ve been talking to a lot of guys: This is a big game. This is a great team.

“We want to go out with a win and be a .500 team. The worst thing that could happen would be to beat UCLA but to lose our last game. I think we’ll be real fired up this week.”

*

Linebacker Markus Steele didn’t practice Tuesday because of an abdominal bruise, but Hackett expects him to play.