College Football Notebook: USC's Ellison strong in face of bad news

By Phil Collin
Daily Breeze

Kevin Ellison, at least, had not lost his sense of humor.

Standing on crutches, USC's freshman safety from Redondo High couldn't believe someone was telling him they were sorry to hear the news about his knee.

"I'm back next week,'' he said Tuesday with a straight face. "What are y'all laughing at? I'm coming back for Notre Dame.'' - - College Football - -

Then he smiled, only moments after he received the news that he would require surgery to repair a stretched anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury that occurred Saturday after he intercepted a key pass in the Trojans' 38-28 win over Arizona State.

Ellison will have an arthroscopic procedure when the swelling in his knee goes down, and after that, doctors will determine how to proceed. He also broke his tibia in the knee on the play.

Because he has played in more than 25 percent of his team's scheduled games, Ellison will not be able to redshirt. - - College Football - -

"Stuff happens and you get through it,'' he said. "It's better than being (a torn ligament), but it's very similar. You can't do anything with it. It's the same rehab. It just sounds better.''

USC linebacker hurt

Middle linebacker Oscar Lua was USC's latest practice casualty, when his right hand got caught in a lineman's facemask and he dislocated his right pinky.

"And it pierced the skin,'' he added almost proudly, noting he received about 10 stitches. "No big deal. They stitched it up and I'll be back (today).'' - - College Football - -

Cal loses tackle

California left tackle Andrew Cameron is out for the season after tearing a ligament in his right knee last weekend.

Cameron, a junior who started all 12 games for the 10th-ranked Golden Bears last season, won't have surgery to repair his ACL until the swelling goes down, Coach Jeff Tedford said Tuesday. He was hurt on a non-contact play in the first quarter of Cal's 28-0 victory over Arizona.

Cameron missed two games earlier this season with a concussion, and junior Scott Smith filled in well. Smith will be the only starter under 300 pounds on Cal's powerful line. - - College Football - -

"It's going to be different, but we've already got good chemistry with (Smith)," O'Callaghan said. "It's tough for (Cameron), but I don't think it will slow us down."

The Bears, who face 20th-ranked UCLA Saturday in the Rose Bowl, are seventh in the nation in rushing offense with 259.4 yards per game. Tailbacks Justin Forsett and Marshawn Lynch both average more than 100 yards, with backup Forsett 10th in the nation at 117. - - College Football - -

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