By TODD HARMONSON
LOS ANGELES – USC middle linebacker Oscar Lua did not suffer serious ligament damage in his left knee as he had feared, and he might be able to return for Saturday's game at Cal. Lua, who previously had torn the anterior cruciate ligaments in both knees, had an MRI on Monday and was told that he had suffered a strain. "When you've had two (torn) ACLs, you expect the worst and anything else is great," said Lua, who leads USC with 52 tackles. Lua said he will return this week if the swelling in his knee subsides, even if the pain persists. "I'll warrior it out," he said. Lua didn't practice Monday, and freshman Rey Maualuga, who was arrested last week on suspicion of misdemeanor battery, worked in his place. USC coach Pete Carroll said Maualuga and starting strongside linebacker Thomas Williams, who didn't practice because of a groin-muscle strain, would play in the middle if Lua can't make it back against Cal. Maualuga, whom police said allegedly hit another student at a party, said it helped to have football to focus on at a difficult time that includes his father's serious illness. "I haven't forgotten about it, but I just put everything on the side and come to practice," he said.
NOTES
USC remained in first place in the Bowl Championship Series standings released Monday and slightly increased its lead over second-place
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