Hackett Points to Himself

Coach Paul Hackett is taking plenty of responsibility for the Trojans’ difficulties this week, and he didn’t spare his oratory skills after consecutive 21-point collapses.

“I have to do a better job. My halftime speeches suck,” Hackett said. “I’m to the point this week where I’m going to go in and say nothing. “

His more earnest self-examination included some decisions during the game.

“I could have called some better plays down the homestretch,” he said, saying in retrospect he would like to have gone to Windrell Hayes on the final play against Stanford.

Hackett was in a buck-stops-here mode Tuesday, but also said he believes he was “misinterpreted” as blaming the veterans last week when he was trying to call on them to step up and lead.

“I was thrilled with how the seniors responded so well in the game,” he said.

“You constantly try to find a way to get an edge someplace. Right now, we’re not finding it. It is as much coaching staff as it is players.”

*

Receiver R. Jay Soward didn’t practice and is likely to be limited Saturday by his strained hamstring.

“I’m playing,” Soward said. “It doesn’t feel real good, but I’m playing.”

Hackett is confident Soward will be available but not sure how effective he’ll be.

“My guess is he will be slowed down,” Hackett said. “But everybody’s hamstring is a little different and you know R. Jay. This is a big game.”

The good news on the injury front was that linebacker Markus Steele, who will require shoulder surgery after the season to repair damaged tissue, was able to practice without difficulty.

*

Quarterback Carson Palmer remains intent on returning for the UCLA game and Hackett said a decision on whether he redshirts or plays the final few games will depend largely on his medical progress.

“This is my concern: How quickly, without damaging the arm, are you able to get the rhythm and snap on the ball that you need to play? Once the doctors give us the clearance, we’ll start going and see where it takes us.”