Soward’s No Big-Play Hunter

His nickname might as well be Big-Play R. Jay.

R. Jay Soward had some spectacular moments as a freshman. A 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Arizona State, a 97-yard pass play against Illinois and a USC-record 260-yard receiving day against UCLA.

Soward wants to be known for more.

“I like that aspect, but I want to be a person people think of as somebody who can catch the ball and take a hit,” he said. “I don’t want to be just a big-play player; I want to show people I can also be a receiver.”

Assistant coach Mike Wilson, a former San Francisco 49er receiver in his first year at USC after coaching the Oakland Raider receivers the last two seasons, said consistent practice is the key.

“It’s simple. You have to come out every day and concentrate on all aspects of the game,” Wilson said. “Sometimes speedsters are only expected to do one thing, go deep. But in our offense, he has to be a complete receiver. Catch the short pass, the intermediate pass, go deep.

“Concentration, that’s what it boils down to. You have to practice the way you want to play.”

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When fifth-ranked Florida State plays at the Coliseum on Saturday, it will be the first time the Seminoles have opened on an opponent’s home field since 1988, when they lost at Miami, 31-0. Florida State is unbeaten in the 1990s in its first game of the season. USC’s opening-game record in the 1990s is 3-3-1. . . . USC players ruled out for Saturday include wide receiver Larry Parker and tight end Junior Rickman because of foot and thigh injuries, respectively.