Hancock Likely Out of Opener

Brandon Hancock, USC’s starting fullback, probably will miss the Aug. 30 opener against Auburn because of a high ankle sprain, Coach Pete Carroll said Monday.

“It looks like that,” Carroll said.

Hancock, a sophomore who started two games last season, injured his ankle during a scrimmage Saturday.

He received precautionary treatment for an infection in his right knee at a hospital on Monday.

Redshirt junior Lee Webb, who was playing behind Hancock, said he is ready to step up as a running, blocking and receiving threat.

“They were kind of dealing with Hancock more in passing situations and me kind of in running, but I focused all summer on catching the ball,” Webb said. “I missed maybe one or two balls all camp.”

Webb came to USC as a fullback in 2000 under former coach Paul Hackett. The Crenshaw High graduate was switched to middle linebacker during Carroll’s first spring practice in 2001.

Midway through last season, he was switched back to fullback.

“When they switched me back last year, I had to learn a new system, a new language,” Webb said. “I’m glad I picked it up so I could be ready for this opportunity.”

*

Freshman Reggie Bush might have more big-play capability, but senior Kevin Arbet will return punts and kickoffs against Auburn.

“We’re going to go with experience,” Carroll said.

Carroll said he did not want to overload Bush with responsibility in his first game.

Bush is expected to share time at tailback with sophomore Hershel Dennis and freshmen LenDale White and Chauncey Washington.

Arbet, who missed last season because of a foot injury, returned punts and kickoffs in 2001 and was named to the All-Pacific 10 Conference team as a special teams player.

Carroll said the Trojans would emphasize special teams today and Thursday.

*

Senior center Norm Katnik said an MRI exam revealed a partially torn patella tendon in his left knee. Katnik said it would not require surgery and that he expected to return to practice by the weekend.... Redshirt freshman Kyle Williams worked extensively with the first team offense at left tackle in place of injured starter Jacob Rogers.... Freshman defensive lineman Manuel Wright did some work with the rush team for the first time and impressed Carroll and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron.... Quarterback Brandon Hance, vying to become Matt Leinart’s backup, was slowed for a second day because of a sprained left ankle.