SC NOTEBOOK: MCCULLOUGH UNLIKELY.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

Looking for alternative treatments, USC tailback Sultan McCullough has visited a masseuse in an attempt to hasten his recovery from a slightly torn stomach muscle.

McCullough is undergoing therapy on his own and not through USC as he seeks a way to return to the field. He officially is listed as possible for this week's game against Arizona, although he did not practice Monday and will be evaluated later in the week.

Privately, there is little optimism that McCullough will be able to return this week.

--On fire: Offensive tackle Jacob Rogers was almost late to practice because his truck caught fire in a campus parking lot. Rogers' pickup was parked next to another truck that caught fire and engulfed several other cars.

``I was going to team meeting and someone told me my car was on fire,'' Rogers said.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

After Monday's practice, teammate Scott Huber told Rogers, ``Hey Jacob, I need a ride.''

Rogers said he would have to get a new vehicle.

--Poston out: Freshman tailback Darryl Poston said he will miss two to three weeks after spraining knee ligaments against Notre Dame.

``I feel better than I did Saturday, but the ligaments are really loose,'' Poston said.

Chad Pierson and Chris Howard will fill Poston's role as a backup.

Wide receiver Grant Mattos (sprained knee) did some light running and a decision will be made later on his status.

--Farmer fan: USC coach Pete Carroll already is lavishing praise on Arizona tailback Clarence Farmer, the second-leading rusher in the Pacific-10 Conference at 98.1 yards per game, including 147 against Washington last week.

``He's the best I've seen all year,'' Carroll said. ``He's big and explosive like (Indianapolis Colts tailback) Edgerrin James. He's very creative. He's takes people with him and is truly a pro prospect.''

--Trying to forget: Wide receiver Kareem Kelly, who dropped several passes and had a season-low two passes against Notre Dame, admitted he struggled against the Irish.

``I've just been trying to get Saturday's game out of my mind,'' Kelly said. ``There were a lot of missed opportunities and I didn't perform. I need to bounce back.''

Kelly also said he wasn't sure why the Trojans have played poorly so much in the fourth quarter this season.

``I can't answer that,'' Kelly said. `` We just need to put four quarters together.''

--Just short: It didn't seem like a big deal at the time, when wide receiver Keary Colbert went 29 yards on a third-quarter reception before being stopped at the Notre Dame 1-yard line. But after the Irish held USC to a field goal, in what was generally considered one of the game's turning points, Colbert couldn't help but have second thoughts about the play.

``I wish I would have got in,'' Colbert said. ``Now it just hurts a little more that I didn't.''

--No. 61: In the mock BCS rankings done by expert Jerry Palm, USC is 61st this week. For what it's worth, the Trojans are the top-rated team with five losses.

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SULTAN McCULLOUGH

Tailback has visited a masseuse as he tries to recover from a torn stomach muscle.