Tailback Poston Elevated a Notch

Darryl Poston could not contain his smile as he walked away from practice Thursday. Coaches had just told the freshman tailback he would be No. 2 on the depth chart and would play at Oregon on Saturday.

“I can’t really believe it,” Poston said. “I’m actually going to be on the field.”

The absence of Malaefou MacKenzie, who was in Western Samoa this week for his father’s funeral, hastened Poston’s promotion. Though coaches said he needs to improve his blocking and pass catching, the former prep All-American from Huntington Beach Edison High has impressed in practice.

“He attacks the line of scrimmage well,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “I’m anxious to see him play.”

Poston’s will not be the only new face on the field. With offensive tackle Joe McGuire needing knee surgery, Nate Steinbacher is competing for a spot in the rotation. Defensive lineman Bobby DeMars, troubled by a minor knee injury early this season, will start at defensive end.

Center Lenny Vandermade has recovered sufficiently to start but USC remains so thin along the line that Carroll said defensive tackle Malcolm Wooldridge would switch to offensive guard .... Injured linebacker Matt Grootegoed will not make the trip .... USC scheduled an early walk-through today to allow time to get through airport security.