Kansas State Fills Hole in Schedule

USC announced Friday that it has added emerging powerhouse Kansas State to its 2001 schedule.

The Trojans had an open spot for next season, which featured only two teams--Notre Dame and San Jose State--from outside the Pacific 10 Conference. Athletic Director Mike Garrett said USC wanted a tough opponent.

“Kansas State fits that description,” Garrett said.

The Wildcats have won at least nine games and appeared in a bowl game for seven consecutive seasons.

The teams will meet for the first time ever at the Memorial Coliseum on Sept. 8, 2001. A rematch will be held in Manhattan, Kan., in either 2002 or 2003, with the date to be determined next spring.

The announcement comes after UCLA declined to play the Wildcats, not wanting to add another challenging opponent to its 2001 schedule.

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The dog days of summer camp finally took a bite out of USC as the team struggled through what Coach Paul Hackett called a “very sloppy” Friday morning session.

It was the Trojans’ final two-a-day practice, coming on the heels of a long scrimmage earlier this week. Hackett took the opportunity to introduce parts of his game plan for the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 27.

“We threw in a Penn State play, we threw in a Penn State defense,” Hackett said. “All of a sudden we sink because we’re thinking too much.”

Linebacker Zeke Moreno had another explanation.

“Players are exhausted,” Moreno said. “We just have to learn to push ourselves through it.”

The Trojans apparently learned quickly--the coaches were pleased with the afternoon session.

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As USC draws closer to finalizing its two-deep roster, Hackett said he might name Sultan McCullough and Malaefou MacKenzie as co-starters, with the players splitting time at tailback.

Petros Papadakis, nursing an injured foot from last season, probably will play in short-yardage situations. Charlie Landrigan is the leading candidate for fullback, Hackett said.

In the defensive secondary, Assistant Coach Dennis Thurman said Troy Polamalu and Ifeanyi Ohalete are the probable starters against Penn State, though DeShaun Hill and Frank Strong remain in contention.

Trevor Roberts continues to suffer from a strained foot, leaving Lenny Vandermade as a possible starter at offensive guard.

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Quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst is taking a short break from practice. The senior has entered USC’s graduate business school and is attending a special course that will keep him away through Sunday.

“It’s so professional in the MBA program,” Van Raaphorst said. “It’s so completely opposite from football that it’s frightening.”

Most of his courses are at night, which means most of his classmates are older and have jobs. Van Raaphorst has yet to tell them he plays football during the day.

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Fred Stroock, an athletic department official for nearly a decade, will retire from his job as special assistant to Athletic Director Mike Garrett. . . . The annual “Salute to Troy” banquet will be held at USC’s Dedeaux Field at 6 p.m. tonight. Limited seating is available. Tickets are $45.