Trojan Thoughts Are Running Deep

It’s no secret that Colorado gave up four touchdown passes last Saturday.

Four long touchdown passes.

Not that USC’s receivers automatically expect to torch the Colorado defense in the same way. But those passes have got them thinking.

“You see those throwing touchdowns in one game,” flanker Marcell Allmond said. “You can’t help but lick your chops.”

When the teams meet at the Coliseum today, a questionable secondary might look particularly appealing to No. 11 USC, which, through one game this season, has yet to get its passing attack started.

The situation is certainly not lost on quarterback Carson Palmer, who has waited two weeks to answer a disappointing 10-for-20 performance against Penn State.

“I don’t think Carson will have that kind of game too many times,” Coach Paul Hackett said. “I’m not saying that he won’t have another one, but I think that his development with his receivers will continue to improve.”

At the same time, the Trojans want to continue a pattern they established in the Kickoff Classic, tailback Sultan McCullough running for 128 yards. There are other issues too, as the team continues to gauge its talent after an opening victory that seemed momentous at the time but lost much of its glitter when the Nittany Lions lost again last week.

Now comes another opponent that has fallen from the rankings. This one appears more dangerous.

Take away those big-play touchdowns of 52, 34, 42 and 30 yards--three of which came on blown assignments--and Colorado probably would not have lost, 28-24, to Colorado State last week.

The Buffaloes showed depth at the skill positions when quarterback Zac Colvin and tailback Cortlen Johnson were injured early in the game. Their backups, quarterback Bobby Pesavento and highly recruited freshman Marcus Houston, performed well enough for Colorado to gain 223 yards on the ground and more than 300 through the air.

Trojan defensive players were also impressed with what they saw of the offensive line.

“Their line is bigger than Penn State’s,” defensive end Lonnie Ford said. “On the films, it looks like they come off the ball fast and play very physical.”

One thing Colorado does not have is a scrambling quarterback--Colvin and Pesavento are primarily drop-back passers--which means USC can rush without too much concern about containment.

That could benefit the secondary, where sophomore cornerback Darrell Rideaux was picked on but survived against Penn State.

When the Trojans have the ball, Hackett says he wants to base his offense on the resurgent ground game. The line played well against Penn State, even with redshirt freshman Lenny Vandermade replacing injured senior Trevor Roberts at guard.

But running the ball means going at the strength of a Colorado defense that surrendered only 65 rushing yards last week. The front seven features all-conference linebacker Jashon Sykes, one of numerous Buffaloes who are from Southern California.

“Sykes is very quick,” USC center Eric Denmon said. “We just have to keep a body on him to keep him from playing all over the field.”

As Hackett said, “the big question early in the game is going to be, are they going to stop the run and force Carson Palmer to perform?”

Palmer blames his tentative start on the simple fact he had not experienced game conditions since breaking his collarbone against Oregon last year. His receivers and coaches say he has thrown with better rhythm in practices the last two weeks.

The quarterback knows his team wants to run the ball but said, “I hope I get to do a little bit more.”

He will face an inexperienced secondary that has stumbled at crucial moments. Colorado Coach Gary Barnett challenged his defensive backs to play smarter against USC.

“We did a poor job of paying attention to details,” he said of the opening loss. “That’s why we had three breakdowns. If we pay attention to details, we’re good enough back there to take care of business.”

Earlier this week, USC receiver Kareem Kelly was asked about the four touchdown passes and quickly answered that he expects Colorado to play better today.

Was he being diplomatic? The sophomore paused before responding.

“I just don’t want to spark them up,” he said.