Kickoff Coverage Needs the Help

With USC trying to shore up its kickoff coverage, an array of starters will continue to serve double duty in today’s homecoming game against Oregon State at the Coliseum.

The shift began last week when special teams coach Kennedy Pola decided to go with high, short kicks and stock his coverage with fast tacklers from the defense. So when cornerback Kris Richard returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown, he came to the sideline gasping

“There are some guys who don’t like to play special teams but, hey, I’m a senior,” Richard said. “I’ll do whatever I’m asked.”

Coach Pete Carroll said he will monitor his starters to be sure they don’t get worn down but, the way kickoff coverage has fared, he also said “able bodies will go.”

That includes linebacker Frank Strong and cornerback Chris Cash. Strong said the extra plays were taxing in the Arizona heat last week, but he doesn’t expect a problem today. As for Richard, he won’t worry about fatigue or asking for a break. “That’s for the coaches to decide,” he said.

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Carroll has never faced Oregon State Coach Dennis Erickson before, but they share the experience of coaching in the NFL. “I like to think the familiarity helps me plan better,” Carroll said. “I have seen a lot of Dennis’ offenses over the years.”

Erickson said his four years with the Seattle Seahawks might help him deal with the Trojan defense: “What you’re probably seeing from [coaches] coming back from the NFL--defensively more than anything--are nickel, dime packages. USC probably runs more five-and six-DBs than anybody we’ve played.”

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Looking for a reason why Oregon State has slipped from Fiesta Bowl winners in January to a 3-4 record this fall? Look at NFL opening-day rosters.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson, among the team’s leading receivers in 2000, went to the Cincinnati Bengals. Offensive tackle Mitch White was with the New Orleans Saints. From the defense, strong safety Terrence Carroll went to the Philadelphia Eagles and end DeLawrence Grant to the Oakland Raiders.

In all, the Beavers lost 13 of 22 starters, including leading tacklers LaDairis Jackson and Darnell Robinson as well as receiver Robert Prescott.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

When USC has the ball: After a one-week demotion, receiver Kareem Kelly has won his starting job back but has yet to show he can augment his speed with the strength and aggressiveness to go after the ball. That’s the kind of receiver USC’s spread offense needs to get first downs and develop a rhythm. The key to Oregon State’s defense is its linebackers. Junior Nick Barnett had the best game of his career with 18 tackles against California last week.

When Oregon State has the ball: After gaining 1,559 yards as a junior, tailback Ken Simonton has been held to 544 through seven games. But he and his offensive line have shown signs of emerging from a slow start with 100-yard performances against California and Arizona in the last few weeks, and USC associate head coach DeWayne Walker says he’s still the focus of the Beavers’ offense. Simonton must average 114 yards the rest of the way to become the first Pacific 10 Conference player to rush for 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons.

Key to the game: Control. First, the Trojans must keep Simonton from running all over them the way he did last season. Second, they need to mind their mistakes--the turnovers, penalties and sloppy special teams play that cost them that game.

Fast fact: USC’s conference-record 26-game winning streak against the Beavers ended with last season’s loss at Corvallis. But the Trojans have a 17-game streak in Los Angeles, where Oregon State last won in 1960.

The pick: The Trojans think they turned a corner with last week’s victory over Arizona. Now they have the home-field advantage and a homecoming crowd, which should be enough to get past Oregon State. The edge: The Trojans.

The line: USC by 61/2.