Miller Plays Confidence Game Now

Receiver Billy Miller believes he has conquered his crisis of confidence after catching a career-high eight passes for 56 yards against Florida State.

Known more for his drops than his catches last season, Miller struggled badly. But he believes that’s over now.

“Next week, say I drop four balls, I’ve got to keep the same confidence,” he said. “I can’t go in the tank like I did last year. If I have a bad game, I’ve got to keep my confidence and go on to the next game.”

Sometimes touted as the next Keyshawn Johnson, partly because he wears No. 3, Miller became so disenchanted he considered transferring after former receiver coach Mike Sanford, now at Notre Dame, suggested he change positions.

“He had lost confidence in me also,” Miller said. “He said, ‘Maybe you can go to tight end or defense or maybe you can do anything but play receiver.’ ”

Miller called the whole experience “very humbling.”

“Any bigheadedness I might have had was definitely gone after that.”

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Cornerback Ken Haslip has switched to receiver, and backup quarterback Quincy Woods has warmed to catching passes when he’s not throwing them.

“When I’m not at quarterback, I want to play [receiver],” said Woods, who originally said he had no interest in playing anything but quarterback.

Woods and Haslip bolster the Trojans’ depth at receiver after Larry Parker and Rod Perry Jr. required season-ending surgery.

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NEXT FOR USC

WHO: Washington St.

WHERE: Coliseum

WHEN: Saturday 3;30 p.m.

TV: Fox Sp. West

RADIO: KLSX FM (97.1)