Erickson on Injured Quarterback Rudy Carpenter:
“He looked OK. He’s at about 50 percent. I would be surprised if he could play but I’m not ruling him out. Right now Danny (Sullivan) is the guy unless something changes.”
Erickson on Danny Sullivan:
“He had a good week. As I said before, he knows this offense. He’s been around it for two years and is a smart guy and knows where to go with the football. He hasn’t done it live yet in a starting situation so we’ll find out pretty quick.”
Erickson on USC:
“They’re one of the better teams I’ve ever seen play the game. Unfortunately they had a bump in the road but when you look at them athletically and defensively they’re very physical. Offensively they’ve got great speed. Their offensive front is very good. They’re a good football team and we’re going to have to play as good as we can play to stay in the football game and hopefully we can do that.”
Erickson on losing streak:
“Has it only been four weeks? It feels like three months. There is a pride factor every time you play the game. It has nothing to do with wins or losses. Every time you play the game it’s a pride game. Not a lot of people can play this game. It’s a hard game. Every time you go out and compete it’s about pride and playing as hard as you can. And that’s what we’re going to do on Saturday. We’ll play as hard as we can and see what the outcome is.”
Erickson on USC Quarterback Situation:
“In watching their offense with Mitch and Mark they do they same thing. When you start trying to defend quarterbacks you have some problems. Unless there is just a drastic difference between them and I don’t see that.”
Erickson on Status of David Smith:
“David will not play. He hurt his neck and had a stinger, a number of them. He’s just not strong enough so we’re not going to put him out there. Hopefully he’ll be back for Oregon but I don’t know about that either. (Paul) Unga would start and then Saia (Falahola) of course is going to rotate in there with Lawrence Guy and Jonathan English. Bo Moos has been practicing. We moved him up from scout team and he’s done a pretty good job.”