Speed Is a Need on Punt Team

USC focused on the “gunners” the two outside men on the punt coverage team--at practice Wednesday.

In each of the last two games, the Trojans surrendered punt returns for touchdowns and Coach Paul Hackett said his outside defenders have not been getting downfield quickly enough to disrupt returns before they can get started.

“We need that killer gunner that goes down there and makes the play,” he said.

Hackett plans to rotate a number of his best defensive backs, including Kris Richard, Darrell Rideaux and Chris Cash, on punt coverage against Washington State on Saturday.

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Elsewhere on special teams, freshman John Wall has apparently saved his job kicking extra points.

After Wall missed an attempt in the second overtime period Saturday against Arizona State, Hackett threatened to switch to David Bell, who usually handles kickoffs and long field-goal attempts. But Wall responded by making a string of short kicks in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Kareem Kelly suffered a twisted ankle while running a reverse in Wednesday’s practice, but the injury was not considered serious. Rideaux practiced well and should be available for Saturday’s game.