USC football: Marqise Lee will try to return for Utah game

USC All-American receiver Marqise Lee, who aggravated a knee injury during USC’s loss at Notre Dame, said he hopes to be back for Saturday’s game against Utah.

Lee sat out the second half against Notre Dame and has not practiced this week. He said he would continue to rehabilitate his left knee.

Lee caught two passes for 18 yards in the first half against Notre Dame. He also dropped a pass in the end zone.

“Perfect pass, perfect D,” he said Tuesday. “Lost concentration, that’s really about it. Looked it in, thought I had it sealed and took my eyes off it. And as I took my eyes off it, it rolled right down my leg.”

Lee sat out much of training camp because of a shoulder injury. He suffered the knee injury returning a punt against Arizona State on Sept. 28 and sat out the Trojans’ victory over Arizona on Oct. 10.

Lee said he was never injured playing youth football or at Gardena Serra High.

“I’m just trying to work through it,” he said, adding that receivers coach Tee Martin, “keeps telling me to ‘stay in a positive mindset and lead the team whether you play or not.’

“That’s what I’m trying to do.”

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