Soward Is a Real Scoutmaster

The star of the scout team this week is none other than R. Jay Soward, playing the role of Purdue speedster Vinny Sutherland.

Soward, suspended for USC’s opener Sunday at the Coliseum by Coach Paul Hackett because of academic shortcomings last spring, is wearing a black No. 14 jersey in practice, and giving the defense occasional fits.

“He’s done a great job. He’s running screens, go’s hooks,” Hackett said. “The thing about R. Jay, is he loves to play football. He delights in being out on the field.

“He’s dealt with his role for this week very maturely. I’m very, very pleased. And he knows it’s only a few more days and he’s rolling. He’s done very, very well.”

Sutherland, a sophomore, caught 34 passes for 357 yards and two touchdowns last season, and is one of many targets for quarterback Drew Brees in Purdue’s wide-open system.

Soward’s scout team duty ends this week. He’s expected to start against San Diego State on Sept. 12 at the Coliseum.

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USC’s secondary will probably be put to the test by Purdue, which attempted 38 passes a game last season but has had an overhaul in personnel.

Instead of Brian Kelly and Daylon McCutcheon at the corners for USC, this season it’s McCutcheon and senior Ken Haslip, who is playing ahead of sophomore Antuan Simmons, once the expected starter.

Haslip has been through about everything in his USC career, from knee surgery as a freshman to questions about his SAT score--a dispute an arbitrator decided in his favor--to shoulder injury to academic problems.

“I’ve been through the ups and downs,” Haslip said. “With my family and the support of my friends, I’ve been able to overcome it.

“I feel lucky to still be able to play at USC and have a chance to start this year, after all the problems I’ve been through.”

Purdue will pose its own problems.

“They’ll use three and four wideouts and even an empty backfield,” Haslip said. “We’ll be ready.”