Allmond Is Finally Back in Mix

USC cornerback Marcell Allmond was struck by a car before training camp, practiced for two days and then endured a one-week hospital stay because of a staph infection and played in a few games as a reserve despite a fractured right wrist.

Allmond’s effort, and his physical style of play, apparently will be rewarded.

On Monday, the 6-foot junior worked with the first unit at left cornerback in place of redshirt freshman William Buchanon.

“I’m going to work my butt off to stay there,” said Allmond, who made four tackles and broke up a pass in USC’s 30-28 victory over California last Saturday.

“It’s about time for him to do some playing,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

Buchanon started three consecutive games after replacing injured Ronald Nunn in the second quarter against Kansas State.

Allmond hopes to help the Trojan secondary neutralize Washington wide receiver Reggie Williams, a 6-4, 220-pound sophomore, who has caught 38 passes and is averaging 17.2 yards a catch.

“This is the opportunity I’ve been shooting for,” Allmond said.

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Defensive tackle Shaun Cody and offensive tackle Jacob Rogers will not play against Washington because of knee injuries suffered against Cal. Both will learn results of MRI exams today.

Carroll said Cody’s injury is thought to be more serious than Rogers’.

“It was real scary when I got hurt because I never had an injury like this,” said Cody, who was on crutches Monday. “It swelled a little bit, but it’s feeling a little better.”

Senior Bernard Riley replaced Cody and played a season-high 30 plays against Cal. Riley will start against Washington with freshman LaJuan Ramsey and senior Anthony Daye backing him up.

Rogers re-injured his right knee, which he sprained against Oregon State.

Junior Eric Torres, who replaced Rogers against Cal, will start at left tackle against Washington.

“Coach likes to call me ‘Utility Guy,’ so whatever they need is fine with me,” said Torres, who also started games at right tackle and right guard.

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Wide receiver Kareem Kelly did not practice and wore a knee-high plastic protective boot to support a sprained right ankle.

Kelly said he was hurt on the Trojans’ second play against Cal when he battled Golden Bear defensive back James Bethea for a long pass that fell incomplete.

“I wasn’t going to take myself out and I wasn’t going to tell anyone I was hurt,” said Kelly, who caught three passes for 19 yards and scored on a controversial six-yard touchdown. “I just went out there and did my best.”

Kelly said he will probably miss some practice but will play Saturday.

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Safety Troy Polamalu took part in some light drills but said he remains day to day because of a high right ankle sprain. “It’s frustrating,” Polamalu said. “We’ll just have to wait and see how it goes.” ... Carroll said freshman offensive lineman Fred Matua might take part in drills next week. Matua injured his right knee a few days before the opener against Auburn and had arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 3. That day, Carroll said Matua was on track to become a redshirt.... USC’s game at Oregon on Oct. 26 will begin at 12:30 p.m. and will be televised by ABC.