Freshman Bing to Get Early Test

USC freshman Darnell Bing does not have the luxury of easing into the season without pressure.

When the eighth-ranked Trojans open their season Saturday at sixth-ranked Auburn, Bing will start at strong safety, the position two-time All-American Troy Polamalu played before he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL draft.

Bing also will be wearing No. 20, the number worn by Athletic Director Mike Garrett when he won the 1965 Heisman Trophy at USC. Garrett gave Bing permission to bring the number out of retirement when he signed a letter of intent in February 2002.

The low-key Bing, 6-feet-2, 220 pounds, appears ready for all challenges after overcoming hamstring and dehydration problems early in training camp.

“I pretty much have my deep coverage down pat and I’m playing the run well too,” Bing said. “I want to get out there and see what I can do.”

Coach Pete Carroll also is eager to watch Bing against the Tigers.

“He’s doing the right thing, hustling and hitting when he gets his chances, but the jury is still out on how he handles the game,” Carroll said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

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Senior offensive lineman Nate Steinbacher is not a starter, but he almost feels like one now that he is listed behind all-conference left tackle Jacob Rogers on the depth chart.

Steinbacher, 6-5, 305 pounds, played only brief minutes in 2000 and 2001 and was switched to the defensive line early last season.

He was moved back to offense last spring, and has outplayed younger challengers for the initial opportunity to back up Rogers, who did not participate in almost all training camp drills because of a foot strain.

“I think I finally got into the position I needed to get into,” Steinbacher said.

Carroll said experience in the program helped Steinbacher hold off younger challengers.

“This camp has been his best segment of time with us,” Carroll said. “He just handles things and adjusts a little better than the other guys.”

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The Trojans did a walk-through on Saturday and will practice today before taking Monday off for the start of classes.