SC NOTEBOOK: HACKETT SAYS HE'LL SHOULDER THE BLAME.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

USC coach Paul Hackett said Tuesday there has been a misconception he was not taking responsibility for the Trojans' recent slump and placing blame solely on the team's seniors.

``I think the head coach is point man in the entire program,'' Hackett said. ``I think it was a misinterpretation when I said the seniors need to step up at a time when things are not going very well. The last thing I was doing was saying that's where the blame should be.

``I am responsible for everything that happens, both good and bad. I want to be brutally honest with everyone, starting with the team, in saying here is what I think are the issues that need to be addressed. I take that conversation very candidly to you guys. I don't say one thing to the team and one thing to (the reporters).''

For emphasis, Hackett repeated that he was more than willing to assume the burden of USC's 3-4 start, and he became sensitive over the weekend to the notion that he had escaped taking any of the blame.

``I'm responsible for the whole program, both good and bad,'' Hackett said. ``That's why they hired me.''

As an example that he has not made excuses during USC's three-game losing streak, Hackett said he never cited injuries, especially quarterback Carson Palmer's broken collarbone in the third game of the season.

``If you start pinning it on those things, you're not taking responsibility,'' Hackett said. ``I don't believe in that.''

In an unusual move, Hackett even criticized himself for some of the play-calling at the end of the 35-31 loss to Stanford.

``I could have called some better plays down the home stretch,'' Hackett said.

Hackett said everything that has happened is part of a slow process to rebuild the program.

``We have had some tough things happen to us,'' he said. ``No one would have thought, at this point, we would be 3-4. I said from day one, this would be a process of building, learning and finding out, as we try to build the program.''

Another commitment: Defensive end A.J. Single (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) of Bonita Vista High in Chula Vista has committed to the Trojans. He is USC's seventh commitment.

Take the spring off: Linebacker Markus Steele said that his postseason shoulder operation will require six months of rehabilitation and he will miss spring practice.

Steele has torn tissue in his left shoulder and he is wearing a brace to keep the shoulder in its socket. He said the injury occurred last season at Long Beach City College.

``The shoulder's real loose,'' Steele said. ``I really can't sleep on my left side because it hurts so bad. I'm at the point where I'm hurting, but I don't want to let the coaches know it's hurting. I don't want it to be a cause for me not to play.''

Steele went 34 plays against Stanford, the same as his replacement, Darryl Knight. Linebackers coach Shawn Slocum said Steele and Knight would continue to split time to keep Steele fresh.

Soward healing: Wide receiver R. Jay Soward did not practice Tuesday, bothered by a strained left hamstring. Soward probably will not practice today and then try to practice Thursday.

``Whether he will be full (strength) and ready to go, I doubt it,'' Hackett said. ``But you know R. Jay, it's a big game.''

Soward, who tried to avoid talking after practice, said: ``I'm playing. It doesn't feel OK, but I'm playing.''

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PHOTO PAUL HACKETT

The USC coach criticized his own play-calling in the loss to Stanford.