Allmond Still in Trouble

Receiver Marcell Allmond’s troubles appear to extend beyond a university review of his alleged involvement in an altercation with another student last week.

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the matter, Detective Freddy Arroyo of the Southwest Division said Friday.

An unidentified witness said racial slurs were uttered during the incident, which occurred off campus. Arroyo confirmed that his investigation is treating the altercation as a potential hate crime.

Allmond was not listed as a starter in camp but was expected to be in the rotation at receiver. He had 16 catches for 244 yards through the first five games of last season before breaking his leg.

The junior has not practiced since Wednesday and will not be allowed to rejoin the team until the situation is fully resolved, Coach Pete Carroll has said.

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Trojan players have talked all summer about the simplicity of the offensive and defensive schemes the new coaching staff has given them. Still, Carroll intends to use a limited playbook today.

“It will take time to implement everything,” he said. “It does not do us any good to have a great idea that we can’t execute.”

The team has been taught all the concepts of the new schemes but has not yet practiced them sufficiently. Elements will be added week by week and Carroll said it could be a year or more before the offense and defense are using everything he and offensive coordinator Norm Chow have in mind.

Junior quarterback Carson Palmer thinks taking it slow is a good idea.

“Everything will be different,” he said. “Even the pregame speech, the warmups.”

Like many fans, Palmer is wondering just how good the Trojans will be. He says it’s hard to tell from only a few weeks of practicing against his own defense.

“We have no idea,” he said. “It will be interesting to see.”

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Asked how he will feel at kickoff today, Carroll said: “I’ll be the first to tell you, you’re nervous before the game.”

The first-year USC coach told an anecdote from when he was an assistant with the Minnesota Vikings, working under the legendary--and granite-faced--Bud Grant. On the field before a game, Carroll asked Grant if he ever felt jitters.

“Hell, yes, I get nervous,” Grant blurted loudly. “You think I’m not human?”

Then, Carroll recalled, “he went right back into the ice mode.”

SCOUTING REPORT

San Jose State at USC

Time--3:30 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2

Radio--KMPC (1540)

When USC has the ball--The Trojans paid dearly to hire Norm Chow, the guru behind a quarter-century of Brigham Young quarterbacks. Chow brings a spread offense that aims to accentuate the speed of tailback Sultan McCullough and receivers Kareem Kelly and Keary Colbert. Junior college transfer Grant Mattos figures into the picture as a possession receiver. The Spartans are counting on veteran linemen Larry Dawson and Kevin Michaelis to shore up a defense that has played woefully the past two seasons.

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When San Jose State has the ball--The Spartans have a spread offense of their own, guided by junior quarterback Marcus Arroyo and featuring receivers Casey Le Blanc, Edell Shepherd and Charles Pauley. Tailback Deonce Whitaker finished the 2000 season as the fourth-best rusher in the nation and averages 6.2 yards per carry. His speed and elusiveness present a challenge to a USC defense that gave up 234 yards to a similar back, Oregon State’s Ken Simonton, last season. The Trojans are now lighter and faster and will need that pursuit--along with nickel coverage--to curtail the Spartans.

Key to the game--San Jose State’s defensive shortcomings give the Trojans an opportunity to get revved up on offense right away. Palmer needs to connect with Kelly and Colbert, opening room for McCullough to break long runs.

Fast fact--Of the previous six USC coaches, including John McKay and John Robinson, only Paul Hackett won in his debut.

Line--USC by 171/2

The pick--Even without tailback Malaefou MacKenzie (knee injury) USC has too much talent on offense and the Spartans have too little on defense.

Series--USC leads, 2-0

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

HOW THEY COMPARE

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USC San Jose State 25.7 Scoring 31.2 28.1 Points Allowed 29.7 262.3 Passing 229.1 153.6 Rushing 188.1 415.9 Total Offense 417.2 217.2 Passing Defense 253.0 125.8 Rushing Defense 222.9 343 Total Defense 475.9

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