University Southern California Trojans
Soward Ready For Breakout Game Against Oregon
September 24, 1999 | Football
Sept. 24, 1999
EUGENE, Ore. - Where, oh where, is R. Jay Soward?
This week, the Southern California wide receiver and kick returner has been stepping it up in practice, getting his timing down with quarterback Carson Palmer and snaring every ball in sight.
However, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll get his long-awaited breakout game Saturday night when the No. 16 Trojans (2-0) meet Oregon (2-1) in the Pac-10 opener for both teams.
Soward practiced well last week, too, but he caught only two passes for 25 yards in the Trojans' 24-21 victory over San Diego State. USC is eighth nationally in scoring offense at 43 points per game, but Soward, who averaged 15.4 yards per catch last season with six touchdowns, has only five catches for 59 yards and no scores.
"R. Jay is feeling his way with Carson, and that will get better game after game," USC coach Paul Hackett said. "... The experience of R. Jay Soward needs to come to the forefront."
The Ducks, who held Soward to three catches for nine yards in last season's 17-13 win, don't expect him to stay bottled up long.
"He's an extremely dangerous player," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. "When he has the ball, he's a fun player to watch, if you're not playing in that game."
Injuries have thinned out the Trojans' pass-catching group. Windrell Hayes won't make the trip from Los Angeles for Saturday's game because of a sprained right ankle, and Matt Nickels has pneumonia.
Freshman Kareem Kelly, who leads the Trojans with 11 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown, was limited in practice this week because of a sore back, but will be ready Saturday.
The defense has been making most of the big plays for the Trojans. In only two games, the unit has recorded five interceptions, 12 sacks and six fumble recoveries. It will need another big performance against Oregon, which has an unexpectedly productive, well-balanced offense.
Oregon is No. 4 nationally in scoring at nearly 47 points per game, thanks to last week's 72-10 victory over Nevada. They have not shown any signs of missing quarterback Akili Smith, now in the NFL.
"I thought they would be down after losing Akili," Trojan strong safety David Gibson said. "But they haven't missed a beat. They have the same scheme as last year but more firepower."
Oregon expects a sellout at Autzen Stadium, where the Ducks have won 10 straight games by an average score of 46-18. Hackett tried to simulate the sound of the Ducks' crowd this week by blaring awful screeching noises over loudspeakers in practice.
By LANDON HALL
Associated Press Writer
