A Different Type of Two-Way Player

Charles Woodson, eat your heart out.

USC has a two-way player far rarer than the usual defensive back/receiver.

In an extraordinary sequence late in the fourth quarter against Hawaii Saturday night, John Fox played middle linebacker on one series and quarterback on the next, a role that put him in the position of calling the plays from both sides of the ball.

He didn’t get much of a break either, because Hawaii gave the ball up on downs.

“I wish they would have punted, then at least I would have had a little bit of rest,” Fox said with a laugh. “But any time I’m on the field, I’m happy.”

It has taken some time for him to get back on the field after losing the starting quarterback’s job two seasons ago.

A reserve tight end last season, Fox made two tackles in his first appearance at linebacker, and made a token appearance as the emergency quarterback. He is also the holder on field goals and extra points--and there were 10 kicks in USC’s 62-7 victory.

“I was tired. You saw it,” Fox said.

Quarterback Carson Palmer did too.

“Awesome,” Palmer said. “To go in on defense and be playing middle linebacker, then all of a sudden it’s fourth down, we get the ball back and he jumps in on offense. That’s just the type of guy he is. He loves being out on the field and he’s a competitor.

“That’s the type of team we have this year, people who just want to be on the field, just want to play and win.”