Trojans Need Special Effects

Before the season began, as he considered what many regarded as the toughest schedule in the nation, USC Coach Pete Carroll said a 3-0 start would position the Trojans, “to do something special.”

Today, when 11th-ranked USC plays No. 25 Kansas State (3-0), the possibilities for an extraordinary season could ride on the play of special teams.

Kansas State’s units are living up to the name, having scored four touchdowns in the last two games.

USC’s were anything but extraordinary last week against Colorado. The Trojans gave up three blocked kicks, missed an extra-point attempt and botched a punt return in a 40-3 victory.

“Special teams are going to be huge in this game, and they have a huge plus going on their side,” said USC receiver and punt returner Kareem Kelly. “We really emphasized correcting our mistakes in practice. But we’ll have to execute and focus on the little things with our special teams to win this game.”

Kansas State has beaten Western Kentucky, Louisiana Monroe and Eastern Illinois. The Wildcats caused seven turnovers and outscored their overmatched opponents, 179-16.

Danny Morris returned a blocked punt by Rashad Washington for a touchdown, and Terence Newman scored on a 95-yard kickoff return last week against Eastern Illinois. The week before, Newman scored on a 40-yard punt return and Kansas State scored on a blocked punt by Morris.

“We haven’t played anyone who is in the same hemisphere as USC, so it’s difficult to determine exactly where we are,” Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder said.

Kansas State’s option-oriented offense, which averages 414.7 yards a game, is no mystery to USC.

Last season, Kansas State rushed for 340 yards and defeated the Trojans, 10-6, at the Coliseum in Carroll’s second game as coach. Quarterback Ell Roberson rushed for 119 yards.

Roberson, a junior, did not play last week because of a hand injury. Senior Marc Dunn, who has passed for five touchdowns and run for two, probably will start again, but the Trojans expect to see Roberson in some capacity.

Carroll said the maturation of players such as defensive tackle Shaun Cody and end Kenechi Udeze, who were freshmen last season, will help the Trojans in the rematch. The Trojans lead the nation in total defense, giving up 171 yards a game.

“Guys that got knocked around don’t get knocked around anymore,” Carroll said.

Said Udeze: “They ripped me pretty good last year, so I’m looking to make a little bit of a statement.”

USC hopes to duplicate the balanced offense it showed last week against Colorado when quarterback Carson Palmer passed for 244 yards and the Trojans rushed for 181.

Senior Justin Fargas, who gained four yards in his only carry, is expected to join a tailback rotation that includes seniors Malaefou MacKenzie and Sultan McCullough and freshman Hershel Dennis.

MacKenzie caught a touchdown pass last week and rushed for another score. McCullough gained 110 yards and scored on a 62-yard run.

The offensive line will feature a different starting unit for the third time in three games. Senior Zach Wilson will start at right guard, replacing junior Eric Torres.

Kansas State’s defense, which is giving up 222.3 yards a game, is led by defensive back Newman, and linebackers Josh Buhl and Terry Pierce.

Palmer said Kansas State would help prepare the Trojans for their Pacific 10 Conference schedule.

“I’m not sure there are many defenses in the Pac-10 that are as good as this one,” Palmer said. “We saw this look last year and we’re going to see it a lot this year, so we should be able to tell by this game how successful we’re going to be this season.”