Leinart Goes the Extra Mile

Matt Leinart found himself in an unexpected place Saturday during the fourth quarter of USC’s dominating victory over Washington State.

The huddle.

Backup Matt Cassel struggled after replacing Leinart about midway through the third quarter with USC leading, 42-0. With Coach Pete Carroll reluctant to use No. 3 quarterback Brandon Hance because of an accident the day before, Leinart played nearly the entire fourth quarter of the Trojans’ 42-12 victory.

“It was a tough situation, but I just do what they ask,” Leinart said afterward.

Leinart emerged unscathed, but with top-ranked USC making a run for the bowl championship series title game it would seem prudent to keep Leinart out of harm’s way.

Carroll said Sunday that Cassel and other Trojan reserves might have struggled initially when they got in the game because of the cold weather in Pullman, Wash. He said he was not concerned that he would have to play Leinart late in blowouts, putting him at risk of injury.

USC plays Oregon State at Corvallis on Saturday.

“I’m not letting that thought carry over other than next week when we could have a weather situation again in Oregon we need to keep the [backup] quarterback more prepared, more ready to go, ongoing throughout the game,” Carroll said.

Carroll also said he was not concerned that USC lost a chance for its second consecutive shutout because of Cassel’s miscues.

Washington State recovered a fumbled snap and quickly scored on a touchdown pass.

On the first play of the ensuing possession, Washington State linebacker Pat Bennett intercepted a pass by Cassel and returned it for a touchdown.

“It’s nice to get a shutout and all that kind of stuff, but it’s never been a big deal to me,” Carroll said. “But they are very hard to get and you can see how the whole team contributes to it -- that makes that really clear.”

Hance, who received stitches in his forehead after being hit with a ball in practice on Friday, is expected to be available this week.

With cold weather possible in Corvallis, Carroll said Cassel and other reserves would be encouraged to use stationary bicycles during the game to stay loose.

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USC picked up six more first-place votes in the Associated Press media poll and three more first-place votes in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll. The Trojans’ margin over Oklahoma in the AP poll grew from 43 to 60 points.... Carroll on the possibility of playing No. 4 Cal in the Orange Bowl: “I’d just like to win this week ... I think it would be great for the Pac 10 if something like that could happen.”.... Starting left guard John Drake is scheduled to have an MRI exam on his injured left ankle as early as today.... Carroll said cornerback Ronald Nunn would also see doctors regarding a knee problem. Right tackle Sam Baker and receiver Chris McFoy, both of whom suffered minor knee injuries, saw team trainers on Sunday and were fine, according to Carroll.