Leinart Doesn’t Pass Test

The last day of training camp could have been a showcase for USC backup quarterback Matt Leinart.

With Carson Palmer and almost every other starter held out of a scrimmage on Saturday, Leinart was positioned to firmly grasp the No. 2 role that became available for the Sept. 2 opener against Auburn when Matt Cassel was injured last week.

Leinart, however, completed only eight of 18 passes for 62 yards with two interceptions. His first pass bounced off fullback Chad Pierson and was picked off by Sandy Fletcher. His second was dropped by receiver Kareem Kelly.

That set the tone for an offense that rushed for only 49 yards in 23 carries, fumbled three times and scored only one touchdown during the 45-play scrimmage.

“Early on, we had a few dropped balls and I think everyone kind of just fell apart,” said Leinart, who also had two passes intercepted in a scrimmage Monday. “It’s my job to get the offense back together. It’s my job to keep things clicking, and I didn’t do that.”

Coach Pete Carroll said the scrimmage “was not the final, ‘OK let’s see where everything is’ ” test for a team that has been riddled with injuries.

“The offense just got kind of overwhelmed at the line of scrimmage,” Carroll said. “We didn’t throw the ball very well, we didn’t run the ball--we didn’t do anything. It was a defensive day, totally.”

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There were no major surprises when USC released its depth chart after the scrimmage.

Freshman Fred Matua is listed No. 1 at right guard. However, senior Zach Wilson is scheduled to return from a foot injury Monday and his presence at guard or tackle could result in some shuffling.

Senior Bernard Riley, recovering from knee surgery, is listed behind sophomore Mike Patterson at nose tackle, and sophomore Gregg Guenther and junior Alex Holmes are co-starters at tight end. Senior transfer Justin Fargas missed a week because of a hamstring strain, so seniors Sultan McCullough and Malaefou MacKenzie are co-starters at tailback.

McCullough and Hershel Dennis will return kickoffs and Kelly will return punts.

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Freshman Dominique Byrd, converted from tight end to defensive end last week, deflected a pass by Leinart that was intercepted by freshman linebacker Dallas Sartz.

Byrd is listed second on the depth chart behind junior Omar Nazel and will see significant playing time against Auburn.

“I’ve been working on getting off the line and being quick,” Byrd said. “They want me to be athletic and I think I’ve been showing what I can do.”

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Carroll said he was pleased with his team’s performance during a 13-day camp that was notable for the number of injuries.

“I like the attitude we took through the camp,” he said. “I like that guys came back after being hurt and we’re back to just about full strength going into game week.

“We’re a little bit untested right now. The Auburn game is going to be huge. They’re going to be good and loaded up and all that. It’s going to be very difficult.”

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Tailback Darryl Poston, who has been slowed by hamstring and back problems, gained 12 yards in five carries and scored on a six-yard run.... David Davis kicked a 31-yard field goal.... Sophomore linebacker Bobby Otani led the defense with five tackles.... Fargas and cornerback Ronald Nunn ran sprints in the end zone before the scrimmage. Both are expected to return from hamstring injuries Tuesday.... The Trojans will simulate game-day procedures today at the Coliseum.