Search for a Quarterback Will Spring Into the Fall

USC’s opener against Auburn is more than four months away, but it cannot arrive soon enough for the Trojan offense.

The Aug. 30 game in Alabama will at least give USC an opportunity to operate against a defense other than its own unit, which is expected to be among the nation’s best.

As it did throughout most of spring practice, the defense dominated Saturday during an 89-play scrimmage before an estimated 5,000 at the Coliseum.

“There’s nothing wrong with that for us,” said Coach Pete Carroll, who also serves as the defensive coordinator. “That’s a good sign.”

Justin Wyatt, who returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown, and running back Hershel Dennis, who rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown in 22 carries, were other bright spots.

But the offense struggled mightily against a defense that had 15 tackles for losses, including five sacks. The pressure resulted in another inconclusive day in the search for a starting quarterback, a search that carries into the fall.

Matt Leinart and Brandon Hance shared the majority of the snaps, but neither moved the offense consistently. Nor did Matt Cassel, who was limited to only four series. Billy Hart did not play because of illness.

Offensive coordinator Norm Chow described a passing attack handicapped by six drops as “kind of sporadic.”

Leinart, who started, completed eight of 21 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown, a 27-yard strike to receiver Mike Williams in the latter part of the scrimmage.

“I made some mistakes, but everybody makes mistakes,” Leinart said. “I just have to bounce back and look at the film and see what I did wrong.”

Hance completed eight of 14 passes for 95 yards and Cassel was one of five for seven yards.

The kicking game also struggled. Ryan Killeen missed field-goal attempts from 41 and 39 yards. Two punts by Tom Malone were blocked -- one rolled out of the end zone for a safety, and the other was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.

Nevertheless, Carroll said he was pleased with the Trojans’ overall performance during 15 spring workouts.

He is looking forward to training camp and the arrival of one of the nation’s top recruiting classes.

“The push that we make through summer is enormous,” Carroll said.

“Hopefully, we’ll be a better football team by the time we get back in August.”