USC Looks to New Faces in Key Roles

USC capped an 11-2 season and a return to national prominence last year by routing Iowa in the Orange Bowl.

Are the Trojans back for the long haul?

That will depend, in large part, on a rebuilt backfield.

When USC begins practice today at Howard Jones Field, Coach Pete Carroll and his staff will be trying to fill the void left by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Carson Palmer and a trio of experienced running backs -- Justin Fargas, Sultan McCullough and Malaefou MacKenzie.

The Trojans begin their season Aug. 30 at Auburn.

“A lot of stuff has to happen in two critical areas, quarterback and running back, but the rest of it looks like it’s going to be pretty good,” said Carroll, who is 17-8 as he starts his third season.

USC has a majority of starters returning from a team that was ranked fourth in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today final polls. The Trojans also are expected to rely on several less experienced players.

Redshirt sophomore Matt Leinart, who has not thrown a pass in a game, was named the starting quarterback at the end of spring practice, edging out redshirt junior Matt Cassel, junior transfer Brandon Hance and redshirt sophomore Billy Hart.

Carroll has said “the competition remains open,” and Leinart is expected to continuing battling those players as well as freshman John David Booty, who skipped his final season at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, La., and has been working out in Southern California for a month.

“I’m going in confident,” said the 6-foot-5 Leinart, who has bulked up to 225 pounds. “I have to step up and be a leader for the team. Even though I haven’t started or played much, people look at you, so I have to be confident in myself and lead by example.”

Sophomore Hershel Dennis, the only returning tailback, rushed for 198 yards in 49 carries last season.

“He’s the starter coming in -- then we’ll see what happens,” said Carroll, who expects freshmen Reggie Bush, Chauncey Washington and LenDale White to vie for playing time.

Sophomore Brandon Hancock started twice last season at fullback, but junior Lee Webb is also challenging for the position.

The offensive line, a major question mark at the beginning of last season, is now regarded as one of the team’s strengths; it includes senior Jacob Rogers and sophomore Winston Justice at tackle, senior left guard Lenny Vandermade and senior center Norm Katnik. Redshirt freshman Fred Matua is regarded as the favorite to replace right guard Zach Wilson.

The Trojans, however, must find a replacement for the versatile Eric Torres, a senior who is still recovering from a broken ankle suffered in the Orange Bowl. Torres started at every position on the line except center last season. Senior tight end Alex Holmes’ status is also questionable because of a back injury he suffered in the Orange Bowl.

The Trojans lost Kareem Kelly, the school’s all-time receiving leader, but senior Keary Colbert and sophomore Mike Williams are back, giving USC one of the nation’s best pass-catching duos. Sophomore Justin Wyatt and freshmen Whitney Lewis and Steve Smith are among those competing for the third and fourth spots.

On defense, the Trojans must replace five starters, among them All-American safety Troy Polamalu and middle linebacker Mike Pollard. Players returning from injuries will fill several of the holes.

“We’ve got some top guys back,” said senior cornerback Marcell Allmond, the only returning starter in the secondary. “The defense can be as good or better than last year.”

Junior defensive tackle Shaun Cody has recovered from knee surgery and rejoins one of the nation’s top defensive lines. Sophomore Oscar Lua also is coming off knee surgery and will battle redshirt sophomore Lofa Tatupu to start at middle linebacker.

Senior Kevin Arbet, who missed last season because of a foot injury, is expected to start at cornerback with Allmond and will also return punts. Freshman Darnell Bing and junior Jason Leach are projected starters at strong and free safety, respectively.

Sophomore punter Tom Malone and junior kicker Ryan Killeen are back, but shoring up special teams is one of the most pressing issues over the next four weeks.

Last year, USC completed the toughest schedule in the nation with successive routs of UCLA, Notre Dame and Iowa.

The Trojans face another formidable schedule that includes games at Auburn, California, Arizona State, Notre Dame, Washington and Arizona. Auburn is regarded by some as a national championship contender.

So are the Trojans.

“We’re excited about the opener, as hard as it’s going to be, because it puts great focus on our players and program,” Carroll said. “It’s a great opportunity. Hopefully we’ll make something of it.”

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Lineman Travis Draper and linebacker Johnathan Turner, two members of USC’s recruiting class, did not qualify for admission. Jody Adewale, who played running back and linebacker at Roosevelt High, and linebacker Salo Faraimo from Vista are in camp after originally planning to delay enrollment until next spring. Defensive lineman Manuel Wright, who graduated from Long Beach Poly High in 2002, also is in camp.

Linebacker Marco Chavez, a transfer from Hawaii, will redshirt this season.... Dennis Slutak, 31, was added to the staff as a graduate assistant and will work primarily with kickers and punters. Slutak worked previously at Lehigh and North Carolina State.... Practices are closed to the public.