USC cornerback Chris Hawkins was looking forward to the match-up.
Hawkins and Oregon State’s top receiver, Victor Bolden, are childhood friends — “Since running track together when we were 8,” Hawkins said — and they played at rival high schools in Rancho Cucamonga .
Last week, Hawkins and Bolden texted back and forth in anticipation of Saturday night’s game between the Trojans and the Beavers at the Coliseum.
But Bolden suffered a finger injury in Oregon State’s victory over San Diego State, and Beavers Coach Mike Riley told reporters the sophomore would be sidelined against the Trojans.
That is a break for No. 18 USC, which had an open date last weekend after its Sept. 13 loss at Boston College.
The Trojans practiced Monday for the first time in four days. The workout was closed to the media, and neither players nor Coach Steve Sarkisian were made available afterward.
USC is preparing for an Oregon State offense led by quarterback Sean Mannion. The senior became Oregon State’s career passing-yardage leader by throwing for 275 yards against San Diego State.
Through three games, Mannion most often looked to Bolden, the former Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos High standout who has a team-best 18 receptions for 192 yards and a touchdown.
In Bolden’s absence, Mannion is expected to rely more on his tight ends and receiver Richard Mullaney.
Mullaney, a junior who played at Thousand Oaks High, caught five passes for 53 yards against USC last season in the Trojans’ 31-14 victory at Corvallis, Ore.
Mullaney has 11 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown.
Regaining strength
USC’s defense is expected to return to near full-strength for Oregon State.
Linebacker Hayes Pullard, who sat out the first half against Boston College because of a suspension for targeting against Stanford, will be available for the entire game. He ranks third on the Trojans, with 21 tackles.
The defensive line also will have more depth with the return of Greg Townsend Jr.
Townsend was sidelined for games against Stanford and Boston College because of chicken pox, Sarkisian said.
Townsend had two tackles in USC’s opener against Fresno State.
Quick hits
USC’s Oct. 4 game against Arizona State will kick off at 4:30 p.m. on FOX or at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN, USC announced. The start time will be determined Sunday.
Twitter: @latimesklein
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