Long-Awaited Awakening Is Welcome for Carroll

USC Coach Pete Carroll had little time to speak with reporters Sunday evening, only a few minutes between bites of chicken. Then it was back to work.

And that might have been the best thing about his team’s 48-17 victory over Arizona State on Saturday. No need to perform an autopsy on the missteps and mistakes of another defeat, no need to answer questions about a month-long losing streak. Carroll only had eyes for the future.

“Is that it, fellas?” he asked impatiently. “There is a big-time team called Notre Dame waiting for us out there.”

The Trojans head into a week of preparation for their game in South Bend, Ind., with momentum and newfound confidence.

The offense had its highest-scoring game in more than two years and quarterback Carson Palmer played error-free. In the first four games this season, he passed for two touchdowns and six interceptions. In the last two games, he has reversed that trend, throwing five touchdown passes with no interceptions.

“He’s a talent,” Notre Dame Coach Bob Davie said. “We know how well he runs. We know how well he throws.”

Receiver Kareem Kelly was even prouder of the way Palmer responded to criticism of his early-season play.

“A lot of people have been putting heat on him, but he has responded,” Kelly said. “That shows the characteristic of a champion.”

Kelly benefited from his quarterback’s resurgence Saturday, leading USC with 127 yards receiving. Keary Colbert had five catches for 85 yards and tight ends Kori Dickerson and Alex Holmes caught touchdown passes.

“We’ve been waiting for a game like this,” Dickerson said. “It felt good to explode the way we did.”

The defense had an equally encouraging game. Linebacker Matt Grootegoed returned from an injury to lead the team with three tackles for losses and tackle Ryan Nielsen showed he can fill in at nose tackle for Bernard Riley, who is out for the season because of a knee injury.

Cornerback Kevin Arbet not only intercepted a pass, but also had a solid game as a punt and kick returner.

“Every time he’s near the ball, he does something good,” Carroll said. “He’s a very, very instinctive football player.”

Of course, not all the news from Saturday was good. Kickoff coverage remains a weak spot. Receiver Grant Mattos suffered a knee sprain and could be out for two weeks or more.

More significant, tailback Sultan McCullough came out with a lingering abdominal strain and his availability this week remains highly questionable.

Among his backups, Darryl Poston has had back spasms all season and Chris Howard has scant experience. That leaves Sunny Byrd, the converted fullback who emerged from nowhere to score two touchdowns against Arizona State.

The situation will be clarified when the Trojans return to the practice field this afternoon, Carroll said. The coach sounded eager to get started.