Trojans Position Themselves for Sunday’s Opener

The two-deep roster that USC released Sunday contained no surprises, but the Trojans might be playing coy by leaving a few questions unanswered.

As expected, Sultan McCullough and Malaefou MacKenzie were named co-starters at tailback. They will split time for several games, or until one emerges as a clear-cut choice.

On the right side of the offensive line, another uncertainty in camp, Zach Wilson will start at guard and Faaesea Mailo will be the tackle if only because Mailo started five games last season.

“It’s the experience and maturity,” Coach Paul Hackett said. “It’s very close, but I just felt Faaesea would be a better starting point.”

A similar situation exists at tight end, where starter Antoine Harris has a sore hamstring. Sophomore Scott Huber is the backup despite impressive practices by two freshmen and a junior college transfer.

At other positions, the coaches declined to announce a decision:

* Darrell Rideaux and Chris Cash, locked in one of the tightest battles in camp, were listed even at left cornerback.

* Both safety positions are up in the air with Troy Polamalu, Ifeanyi Ohalete, Frank Strong and DeShaun Hill in the mix.

* Trevor Roberts was the presumed starter at left guard but strained his foot, meaning redshirt freshman Lenny Vandermade could step in. “It depends on what we see from Trevor over the weekend,” Hackett said.

* Steve Stevenson, who started camp late because of a sore hamstring, was listed even with Matt Nickels at backup split end.

* Kickers David Newbury and David Bell were named co-starters, but Hackett said Newbury would almost certainly get the nod.

* Kickoff returns could be handled by committee: MacKenzie, Kris Richard, Marcell Allmond or Petros Papadakis.

In some cases, the distinction between starter and backup is insignificant, at least for Sunday’s opener against Penn State in the Kickoff Classic. Despite recent cool weather on the East Coast, the Trojans expect a typical summer day at East Rutherford, N.J.

“When guys are close, we’ve got to play both because of the heat,” Hackett said. “You’re going to see a lot more substituting.”

In other cases, USC coaches might have been intentionally vague. All week, Hackett has teased about sending conflicting signals in case Penn State is watching.

“A certain amount of chicanery,” he called it. “I like to keep them guessing.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

For Starters

Starters for USC on offense, defense and special teams:

OFFENSE

*--*

SE Kareem Kelly LT Brent McCaffrey LG Trevor Roberts or Lenny Vandermade C Eric Denmon RG Zach Wilson RT Faaesea Mailo TE Antoine Harris FL Marcell Allmond QB Carson Palmer FB Charlie Landrigan TB Sultan McCullough or Malaefou MacKenzie

*--*

DEFENSE

*--*

E Matt Childers T Ennis Davis T Ryan Nielsen E Sultan Abdul-Malik or Lonnie Ford LB Kori Dickerson LB Zeke Moreno LB Markus Steele CB Darrell Rideaux or Chris Cash SS Troy Polamalu or Ifeanyi Ohalete FS Frank Strong or DeShaun Hill CB Kris Richard

*--*

SPECIAL TEAMS

*--*

K David Newbury or David Bell P Mike MacGillivray KR Richard, Allmond Malaefou MacKenzie or Petros Papadakis PR Kareem Kelly

*--*