Running Game Is a Smash on First Down

Through the first four games of the season, USC tried to balance the run and the pass on first down. Not so against Washington.

Determined to revive the ground game, the coaches called runs on all but one first down in the first quarter. Overall, they turned to tailback Sultan McCullough or fullback Charlie Landrigan on 21 of 24 first downs.

“We liked the rhythm it was giving us,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

The offensive linemen had taken a lot of heat in recent weeks and, before the game, Carroll challenged them to prove their critics wrong. They liked what he said and the fact they were running into the teeth of the Washington defense.

The Trojans finished with 41 carries for 134 yards.

“We practiced with a lot of guys in the box all week and dealt with it,” center Norm Katnik said. “We played a lot of smash-mouth football.”

Carroll said he had no doubts about his decision on a critical fourth-down play in the first quarter.

McCullough had carried the ball 10 times for 45 yards on the game’s opening drive but, with USC facing fourth and inches at the Washington 16-yard line, Carroll and offensive coordinator Norm Chow decided against a field-goal attempt and called for a quarterback sneak.

Washington linebackers Zach Tuiasosopo and Ben Mahdavi stopped Carson Palmer for no gain on the play.

“Two inches,” Carroll said, holding his fingers that far apart. “That’s why you call that play and I want our football team to know that I’d do it again.”

*

Washington’s Reggie Williams--the 6-foot-4 freshman who is drawing rave reviews--led all receivers with five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. Williams showed he knows how to use his size.

“He not only has unique physical skills, he also loves to battle,” Washington Coach Rick Neuheisel said. “The bigger the battle, the bigger his intensity gets.”

Said USC cornerback Kris Richard, noting Williams’ penchant for circus catches: “Whether he’s sneaking, pushing, pulling ... if the ball’s up there, he’s going to get it.”

*

USC linebacker Chris Prosser, a starter the last two games, sat out the second half with a concussion. Defensive tackle Bernard Riley left the game momentarily with a twisted knee but said, “I’ll be healthy by Tuesday.” ... Safety Troy Polamalu’s 22-yard interception return marked the first time USC has scored on an interception since Polamalu returned one 43 yards against Penn State at the start of the 2000 season. ... Not only did center Lenny Vandermade, a freshman All-American last season, not start against Washington, he did not play a single down. Coaches told him the decision was made for performance reasons.