Buchanon Is Filling Void

With Mike Williams absent again and freshman Dwayne Jarrett sidelined because of a groin strain, receiver William Buchanon on Thursday continued his bid to become a prominent piece of USC’s offense.

Buchanon, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound redshirt junior, was switched from receiver to cornerback in 2002 and started three games. He was moved back to receiver after the start of last season but did not make a catch.

Since training camp began, however, he has been perhaps the most effective deep threat.

“Going to defense and coming back over has helped me a lot in terms of understanding coverage and making my choices about how to run my routes,” Buchanon said.

On Wednesday, Coach Pete Carroll said Williams might not practice again with the Trojans until his status with the NCAA is resolved.

Carroll said Williams spent most of Thursday meeting with USC officials in an attempt to expedite the processing of his summer-session grades.

Carroll said he spoke with Williams at length and that the junior “would really like to be out here right now.”

Asked if Williams would practice today, Carroll said, “I’m not planning on that.”

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Junior fullback Brandon Hancock, who was hoping to return from knee and chest surgeries by midseason, said he probably would redshirt.

Hancock missed the first three and last two regular-season games in 2003 because of injuries, but started seven games, including the Rose Bowl.

Senior Lee Webb is working as the first-unit fullback; junior David Kirtman is his backup.

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Carroll said tight end Alex Holmes will miss five to seven days because of a calf strain.... Linebacker Dallas Sartz, who had been out three days because of headaches, and offensive lineman Fred Matua, who missed two days because of an ankle sprain, returned to practice. Matua and John Drake worked as guards with the first-unit offensive line along with center Ryan Kalil and tackles Sam Baker and Taitusi Lutui.