Focus Is on Kickoff Defense

USC spent a good part of practice Tuesday going over kickoff return coverage -- and with good reason.

The No. 15-ranked Trojans play No. 14 Oregon at Eugene, Ore., on Saturday and they do not want a repeat of last year’s performance at Autzen Stadium.

USC surrendered 228 yards on six kickoff returns, resulting in superior field position for the Ducks throughout the game. Oregon won, 24-22, on a 32-yard field goal by Jared Siegel with 12 seconds left.

“We weren’t executing what we were told to do,” safety Jason Leach said. “This year, kick coverage is going pretty good. We had one bad one against Washington, but overall we’re better.”

The Trojans are giving up 20.8 yards per return. The average would be lower if not for a 45-yard return by Washington’s Charles Frederick on Saturday.

Oregon is averaging 23 yards per kickoff return. Allan Amundson, who returned four kickoffs for 181 yards against USC last year, is averaging 23.5 yards per return.

“We don’t want to give them any extra incentives,” cornerback Darrell Rideaux said.

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Reserve quarterback Matt Leinart, third on the depth chart behind Carson Palmer and Matt Cassel, said he will continue to make extra throws after practice, especially after seeing UCLA turn to its No. 3 quarterback last week against California after the top two were injured.

“Carson could go down on one play and Matt on the next,” Leinart said. “Hopefully, it doesn’t happen, but the UCLA situation shows why all quarterbacks have to be ready. None of the coaches has talked to me about it, but they know I know.”

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Junior tackle Jacob Rogers, who sat out against Washington because of a bruised right knee, performed some agility drills and said he will practice today and play Saturday. “It’s too big of a game to miss,” Rogers said. Coach Pete Carroll said Rogers could start if he gets through Thursday’s workout unscathed.... Freshman tackle Winston Justice sat out part of practice after a bone in his right shoulder popped out of its socket. Justice said he will practice today. Receiver Kareem Kelly did not take part in most drills because of a sore right ankle, but said he would be ready to play Saturday. Kelly is looking forward to the bye week following the Oregon game. “I need the bye week to get 100% to go up to Stanford and be full blast,” he said.... Sophomore defensive tackle Shaun Cody said he will undergo surgery Thursday morning for a torn ligament in his left knee. Cody was injured against California on Oct. 12.