University Southern California Trojans
Trojans Want Convincing Win When They Battle Ducks
September 21, 1999 | Football
Sept. 21, 1999
LOS ANGELES (AP) - USC, one of college football's most storied programs, is having an identity crisis in 1999.
The 16th-ranked Trojans (2-0) followed a 62-7 season-opening laugher at Hawaii with a 24-21 nailbiter over 23-point underdog San Diego State last week.
"Our next game will tell us a lot about where we are," Trojans coach Paul Hackett said.
Next is the Pac-10 opener Saturday at Oregon (2-1), a team coming off a record-setting 72-10 rout of Nevada a week ago.
In the lopsided victory, the Ducks broke their home record for points scored, beating the mark set last year in a 63-28 win over Stanford, and several Ducks set near records or personal firsts.
"It seemed like everything opened up," Ducks quarterback A.J. Feeley said. "Every play we called, it was there."
The Trojans would be satisfied with half of Oregon's offensive production from last week. USC's star tailback, Chad Morton, is seeking his first 100-yard rushing effort of 1999, and explosive wideout/kick returner R. Jay Soward has failed to break out, gaining just 59 yards on five catches through two games.
"We want to go to the Rose Bowl, so maybe this was a good game for us," said Morton of the three-point win over San Diego State. "It taught us a lesson. We've got to play ball in all four quarters."
Starting quarterback Carson Palmer finished 16-of-24 for 188 yards and two interceptions last Saturday.
Oregon got three touchdowns from running back Reuben Droughns in last week's impressive victory. Droughns, who has a team-high 296 rushing yards and four TDs, gained 110 of those yards against Nevada.
Wide receiver Marshaun Tucker got the first touchdown of his college career, and then added a second to lead the Ducks in receiving for the game with four catches and 93 yards.
