Grain Shifts to Center

USC’s young offensive line will have its third center in three games Saturday, with left guard Jason Grain moving over to fill in for injured regulars Eric Denmon and Matt McShane against Oregon State.

“It’s tough to switch positions in the middle of the week, but it came together today,” Grain said.

David Pratchard, who also can play center, figures to start in Grain’s left guard spot, with Donta Kendrick available to back up at both positions.

Grain, a 6-foot-5 junior, made great strides over the summer by losing 15 to 20 pounds, and said he still weighs less than 300.

“He’s going to be one outstanding lineman,” Coach Paul Hackett said. “He has made incredible progress.”

The USC line bore the brunt of criticism last year for a running game that was disastrous at times, particularly when Delon Washington was at tailback.

Guard Travis Claridge thinks the group took too much blame.

“Last year, it repeatedly came up, ‘What happened to the running game?’ ” Claridge said. “Now nobody’s asking me. We must be doing our job.

“I think the offensive line still has a lot of work to do. We’re coming along as a unit. We can be a lot more effective.”

Hackett is focused on the future, with no seniors starting this week.

“With that kind of ability and the kind of time they’re going to get together, I think we’ll see a group coming together after seven, eight, nine games this year.”

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Tailback Chad Morton resumed practicing but needed some attention from the trainers for his strained back.

“He didn’t do much, but he moved around pretty good,” Hackett said. “He’ll get a couple days more of treatments, and it’s a night game.”

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Linebacker Mark Cusano, still recovering from an ankle injury, said his goal “is to play some this game and do the best I can, then come back, go hard, and definitely be on the field for Florida State.”