Cassel Will Be Backup for Leinart

USC’s Matt Cassel will start the season in the same position as the previous two -- as the Trojans’ backup quarterback.

Coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday that Cassel’s experience as Carson Palmer’s backup put him clearly ahead of others for the No. 2 spot behind starter Matt Leinart going into the Aug. 30 opener at Auburn.

“I’m comfortable with the role, I’ll fill the role, and I’ll be really ready when my time comes because I strongly believe that it will come for one reason or another,” said Cassel, a redshirt junior. “I’ve just got to step up to the plate and do what I’ve been practicing to do all along.”

Carroll was hoping that the competition for the backup role would heat up this week, but junior transfer Brandon Hance, who overcame a bout of viral meningitis in July, has been unable to participate in team drills for three days because of an ankle injury.

“Every day counts and he just lost a little bit of that opportunity there,” Carroll said.

Freshman John David Booty is trying to catch up after falling behind early in camp because of back soreness that forced him to sit out three days.

Redshirt sophomore Billy Hart took multiple repetitions on Tuesday, but did not perform well enough to make a major move.

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The Trojans spent much of both practices working on special teams.

“The whole week is special teams week,” Carroll said. “I want to feel we really went after it and really put extra time into it so that everybody is extra confident in what we’re doing.”

Last season, USC ranked last in the Pacific 10 Conference in punt returns (7.2 yards) and kickoff returns (17.5) and ninth in kickoff-return coverage (24.1).

To offset the weakness in kickoff-return coverage, USC used squib kicks that gave opponents superior field position and put pressure on the defense.

“It made us feel kind of bad,” safety Jason Leach said of the squib kicks. “Now, we’re trying to pick it up and do it right.”

Kennedy Pola is still the special teams coordinator, but responsibilities for each unit have been divided among the assistant coaches.

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Senior offensive tackle Jacob Rogers, out since the second day of training camp because of a foot strain, said he would be fitted today with a custom brace.

Freshman Drew Radovich, senior Nate Steinbacher and redshirt freshman Kyle Williams are among the players who have worked at Rogers’ spot on the left side.

Junior college transfer John Drake, already regarded as a backup at both guard positions, worked at left tackle Tuesday.

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Carroll said fullback Brandon Hancock was scheduled to be released from the hospital where he was treated for an infection in his right knee.... Freshman fullback Whitney Lewis left the afternoon practice to have an MRI on his injured right knee, Carroll said.... Leinart was held out of passing drills during the morning practice because of minor arm soreness. He returned in the afternoon and threw the ball without discomfort, he said.... Center Norm Katnik (knee) performed a series of individual drills to test stability.