The Dawn of a New Era Arrives in the Darkness

Darkness shrouded USC’s campus Thursday when quarterback Mark Sanchez pushed through the gate at Howard Jones Field just before 6 a.m.

A few minutes later, John David Booty arrived, joining about three dozen teammates trying to keep warm in a cold wind.

USC is only two weeks removed from its Rose Bowl loss to Texas, but the departure of several key seniors and the exodus to the NFL of five draft-eligible juniors from a program that enjoyed almost nonstop success the last three seasons created the dawn of a new era.

It began with the first day of off-season conditioning drills, as Booty and Sanchez began vying to replace Matt Leinart.

Taking a cue from Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Leinart, Booty and Sanchez said they would make a habit of attending early workouts to demonstrate leadership skills and cultivate relationships with the offensive linemen, who are required to attend the first of four sessions each day.

Booty, who will be a fourth-year junior in the fall, is for now regarded as the front-runner because of the number of snaps he took as Leinart’s backup this season.

“We had probably one of the best ever playing my position, so now that he’s gone I’m definitely coming into it with a different attitude and more focused,” Booty said.

Sanchez, a redshirt freshman, said the competition began almost immediately after USC’s bid for a third consecutive Associated Press national title ended with Texas’ 41-38 victory Jan. 4.

“It actually started the first [team] meeting we had after the Rose Bowl,” he said. “Just saying hello to the guys, making sure you’re interested in what they’re doing and showing your appreciation for them and letting them know you’re ready to go right away.”

With the exception of receiver and linebacker, the Trojans must replace starters in every position group.

The departures of Heisman winner Reggie Bush and LenDale White left the Trojans with an empty backfield.

Senior Hershel Dennis, who missed the 2005 season while recovering from knee surgery, will be the only experienced tailback participating in spring practice, which is scheduled to begin March 21. Desmond Reed (knee) and Michael Coleman (hip) are recovering from surgeries and Chauncey Washington is academically ineligible.

Senior fullback Brandon Hancock replaces David Kirtman, junior tight end Fred Davis replaces Dominique Byrd.

The early departures of tackle Winston Justice and guard Fred Matua, coupled with the loss of All-American guard Taitusi Lutui, open three spots on the offensive line. Jeff Byers, who missed last season after having hip surgery, appeared to be in top shape Thursday and is expected to fill one guard slot, redshirt freshman Chilo Rachal the other. Senior Kyle Williams has played both tackle spots and is the front-runner to replace Justice on the right side with redshirt freshman Charles Brown also in the competition.

Sophomore Kyle Moore and junior Jeff Schweiger will compete to replace defensive end Frostee Rucker. Junior linebacker Keith Rivers also could be used as a rush end. Travis Tofi and Fili Moala are the most experienced potential replacements for defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey.

At linebacker, senior Oscar Lua, Rivers and sophomore Brian Cushing finished last season as starters. Cushing will miss spring practice after having shoulder surgery last week. Senior Dallas Sartz, a team captain, missed nearly all of last season because of a shoulder injury and does not expect to be cleared for contact in spring practice.

Sophomore Rey Maualuga will try to wrest the middle linebacker job from Lua. Junior Thomas Williams, who started eight games this season, is back from knee surgery and redshirt freshman Luthur Brown is thought to be over back problems.

Cornerback Terrell Thomas, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game against Arkansas, should reclaim his starting spot. Sophomores Kevin Thomas and Cary Harris will battle for the other cornerback spot if Coach Pete Carroll moves Josh Pinkard back to safety to make up for the loss of Darnell Bing and Scott Ware.

Sophomore safety Kevin Ellison is back after suffering a season-ending knee injury against Arizona State. Senior safeties Ryan and Brandon Ting also return. Freshman Antwine Perez graduated from high school early and went through his first workout Thursday.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Starting over

With Matt Leinart headed for the NFL, the quarterbacks left on USC’s roster have combined for 57 pass attempts and 35 completions in their careers:

*--* Quarterback, Year Att Com Yds TD John David Booty, So. 56 34 417 3 Michael McDonald, So. 1 1 4 1 Mark Sanchez, Fr. 0 0 0 0 Total 57 35 421 4

*--*