Trojans Have Hit in Opening Act Put On by Colbert

Carson Palmer knew Keary Colbert was reliable even before they became teammates at USC.

Palmer, a fifth-year senior, attended numerous quarterback camps and passing sessions during his first two years in college. Almost everywhere he went, it seemed, a certain high school receiver from Oxnard was on the field running pass patterns.

“He was just one of those guys who was always working out, wanting to catch balls,” Palmer said. “I don’t know how he found out about them, but he was there every time. You could always count on him.”

Palmer, a fifth-year senior, still does.

Senior wide receiver Kareem Kelly is faster, and freshman wide receiver Mike Williams is rangier and can jump higher. But Colbert, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior flanker, is regarded as the most versatile and sure-handed member of the Trojan receiving corps.

Last week against Kansas State, Colbert caught 11 passes for 125 yards--both career bests. He leads the No. 18 Trojans with 17 receptions for 200 yards, averaging 11.8 yards per catch.

“He’s our steady, reliable guy,” offensive coordinator Norm Chow said. “Other guys have to run deeper routes. Keary runs this, runs that, comes underneath--he does a good job with everything because he’s smart.”

Colbert, a sociology major, was an honor student at Oxnard Hueneme High. But he said it doesn’t take a genius to figure out how to flourish in the Trojans’ passing game.

“The offense is set up where it’s not one guy,” Colbert said. “Everybody has the same opportunity to do the same things. The key is to be versatile.”

Colbert learned to make the most of opportunities while playing in a run-oriented offense in high school.

He caught only 25 passes but turned 10 of them into touchdowns and averaged 24 yards per reception.

“There were guys out there at other schools getting 60 and 70 catches,” Colbert said. “I just worked hard. People still noticed me.”

Colbert made an immediate impression when he arrived at USC. He played in 12 games, started five and wound up second on the team with 33 receptions for 480 yards and three touchdowns.

It was the second-highest reception total by a true freshman in school history behind Kelly’s 54 catches in 1999.

“I felt like I could play, but I didn’t come in expecting to play right away,” Colbert said. “I just wanted to contribute and see where I fit in.”

Last season, under first-year Coach Pete Carroll and Chow, Colbert caught 34 passes for 442 yards and two touchdowns.

“I wanted to clean up some of the mistakes I made as a freshman and I think I did that for the most part,” Colbert said. “I’m still learning, though.”

The game against Kansas State provided a tough lesson.

USC receivers dropped eight passes in a 27-20 loss before a frenzied sellout crowd at Manhattan, Kan. Colbert scored on a five-yard touchdown pass that brought the Trojans to within 27-13 with 10:03 left. But he dropped two passes and he and Palmer read the defense differently on the Trojans’ final offensive play, a fourth-and-15 at the Kansas State 38-yard line with 26 seconds left.

Palmer’s pass sailed downfield and fell incomplete. Kansas State ran out the clock to secure the victory.

“I’m not going to sit here and lie and say I don’t think about that play, but it’s not a burden like it would have been when I was younger,” Colbert said. “It’s over and I’m getting ready for the next game.”

The Trojans begin Pacific 10 Conference play Saturday against No. 23 Oregon State at the Coliseum. Last year, Colbert caught one pass for seven yards--both season lows--in a 16-13 overtime victory over the Beavers.

Colbert is anticipating a busy afternoon this time.

“It’s all about getting better,” he said. “Every day, every game, every season.

“I don’t know if I’ll have as many catches this week. But I’ll be working to get open. If I am, Carson will find me.”