San Bernardino County Sun: Carroll is Sorry Again

SCOTT WOLF, Staff Writer

Like an urban legend, one version of USC coach Pete Carroll's sideline outburst Saturday night was that it was directed toward Oregon coach Mike Bellotti.  But Carroll denied that Monday and said he was just being emotional following a controversial replay decision in the second half of the Trojans' victory over Oregon. Fueling the speculation further was a curt handshake Carroll gave Bellotti after the game.  But Carroll said Monday the events were being overanalyzed and he merely lost his composure for a play. He's apologized twice since the incident for his behavior.  "I apologize to anyone that thought it came their way," Carroll said. "I was just upset at that moment."  

Reversal of the reversal update: Carroll spoke with Verle Sorgen, the Pacific-10 Conference supervisor of officials, about the lengthy delay and eventual decision to give Oregon a touchdown on a tipped pass. Sorgen said Carroll mainly wanted to know how Bellotti was allowed to challenge an already reviewed decision.  Sorgen said Bellotti challenged whether the ball was tipped, which would allow the receiver, Jonathan Stewart, to go out of bounds and return to the field and make the catch. "(Bellotti) challenged an aspect of the decision that was not considered (by the officials)," Sorgen said. "If in the original review, they said no, the ball wasn't tipped or we couldn't tell if it was tipped, then he could not challenge it.

"I don't know what there's not to be satisfied with."  But Carroll said Sorgen was unhappy with the 15-minute delay to make the decision.  "He was real disappointed the way it came out," Carroll said. "For some reason, word didn't come out the ball was tipped. Mike (Bellotti) did a nice job realizing they did not make the call based on the ball being tipped."  

Injury update: Tailback Chauncey Washington sprained his knee against Oregon and will be used sparingly the next few days so he can play against California. Washington underwent an MRI and the results were negative.  An MRI showed tailback Emmanuel Moody tore a ligament in his ankle, but Carroll would not rule him out of the Cal game.  Fullback Stanley Havili (broken leg) took part in some of Monday's practice and hopes to be cleared today to play.  Receiver Chris McFoy (shoulder) also hopes to be cleared.