Trojans Trying an Air of Road Confidence

Ask Pete Carroll about altitude and you get attitude.

USC’s second-year coach scoffs at the notion that his 17th-ranked Trojans might experience stamina problems today when they play No. 18 Colorado at 5,345 feet above sea level.

“They might feel it for the first series or two, but after that they’ll be fine,” said Carroll, who as an NFL coach took teams to Denver’s Mile High Stadium.

Time will tell for the Trojans (1-0). A bye week allowed players to catch their breath after defeating Auburn in their Sept. 2 opener at the furnace-like Coliseum. It also gave them extra days to prepare for the defending Big 12 Conference champion Buffaloes (1-1) and a sellout crowd at Folsom Field.

“We’re rested, we’re ready, I don’t think the elevation is going to be any problem for us,” defensive tackle Shaun Cody said.

USC showed its resolve against Auburn by controlling the ball in the second half and eating up more than eight minutes of the fourth quarter during a go-ahead 50-yard drive.

Senior running back Malaefou MacKenzie stood out, catching six passes for 117 yards and rushing 10 times for 33 yards. Quarterback Carson Palmer completed 23 of 32 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown, but threw two interceptions.

The Trojans amassed 386 yards, but rushed for only 84--almost four fewer than their embarrassing 87.7-yard average of 2001.

“We’re not anywhere near where we need to be, to be a good running football team,” Carroll said earlier this week. “We’ll just continue to hammer away at it.”

The Trojans are still without one of their main tools. Senior tailback Justin Fargas missed the opener because of a hamstring strain, and it is doubtful that he will play today.

Senior Sultan McCullough will alternate with MacKenzie, and senior Chad Pierson, who missed the opener because of a hamstring strain, will start at fullback.

The offensive line also will sport a new look, with freshman Winston Justice scheduled to start at right tackle and redshirt junior Eric Torres moving to right guard.

USC’s defense, which limited Auburn to 281 yards, is unchanged. Weakside linebacker Melvin Simmons is scheduled to start despite having been hospitalized for two days this week because of an infection in his left leg and flu.

Colorado, ranked seventh in the Associated Press preseason poll, lost its opener to Colorado State, 19-14, and defeated San Diego State, 34-14, last week.

“I don’t think anyone can watch us play and say we’ve been terrific,” Buffalo Coach Gary Barnett said.

Colorado’s backfield, regarded as one of the nation’s best before the season began, is not at full strength. Junior running back Marcus Houston, who rushed for 150 yards against USC two seasons ago, is out because of a knee injury. Quarterback Craig Ochs also will miss the game after suffering a concussion at the end of the first half against San Diego State.

The Buffaloes, however, still have junior Chris Brown, who rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown against Colorado State and 185 yards and two touchdowns against San Diego State.

“He’s a very good cutback runner who really accelerates when he sees the hole,” Carroll said.

Robert Hodge, a senior who played at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa High and El Camino College, will start at quarterback. Hodge replaced Ochs against San Diego State and engineered two scoring drives.

“He’s a tough kid and a good leader,” said USC quarterback coach Steve Sarkisian, who tutored Hodge at El Camino in 2000. “Guys will rally around him because they see how hard he plays. He doesn’t shy away from a hit.”

Colorado’s defense is giving up 263.5 passing yards and 97 rushing yards a game.

“We have decent speed,” Barnett said. “Not USC speed, but decent speed.”

The Buffaloes played six defensive backs much of the time against pass-happy San Diego State and USC will probably see the same set.

Freshman safety J.J. Billingsley made 15 tackles, and junior safety Clyde Surrell recorded 12 for a unit that also features junior linebacker Sean Tufts and senior linebacker Drew Wahlroos.

“They’re really committed to eight-man-front football,” Carroll said. “They blitz a lot on passing downs and load up on you on the running downs.”

Freshman Jeremy Bloom--an Olympic freestyle skier--averages 28.2 yards per punt return, but he is questionable because of a broken big toe on his left foot.

Punter Mark Mariscal averages 46.9 yards a kick, which ranks second in the NCAA.