Byers Gets a Start in Drake’s Absence

Freshman Jeff Byers, regarded as one of the top players in USC’s last recruiting class, will make his first start Saturday against Oregon State, Coach Pete Carroll said.

Byers will play left guard in place of John Drake, who suffered a high left ankle sprain last week against Washington State and will not make the trip for the game at Corvallis, Ore.

Byers, the 2003 national Gatorade player of the year at Loveland High in Colorado, came to USC as a center. But he filled in for Drake during the last two games when Drake left the field because of ankle problems.

Byers said he was excited by the prospect of starting.

“There’s a lot of blood flowing when you feel like you have a chance,” he said.

Byers, 6 feet 3 and 295 pounds, weighs at least 55 pounds less than Drake. However, Carroll said Byers compensates effectively.

“He’s got great feet and finish ability and all that kind of stuff,” he said. “Whatever he gives up pound-wise, he’s very aggressive. He’s a very feisty type of guy; he’s battling you every step of the way. So I think he’ll do fine.”

Senior Travis Watkins will back up Byers. Carroll said there is no timeline for Drake’s return.

“It does hurt us continuity-wise,” Carroll said. “He’s very smart and does a lot of stuff at the line of scrimmage for us.”

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After resting a sore right hamstring throughout the week, All-American punter Tom Malone kicked a few balls for the first time.

Malone said his performance Saturday would not be affected by taking fewer kicks.

“I can still work on drops and work on all my other stuff, so it was just good rest,” he said. “I feel great now.”

Malone is averaging 43.8 yards a kick and leads the Pacific 10 Conference.

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Reserve cornerback Ronald Nunn will not make the trip, because of a sprained knee, so redshirt freshman cornerback Terrell Thomas could play significantly more this week in certain rotations. Thomas intercepted passes against Brigham Young and Washington State.

“He’s played very consistently when he’s been in and made a couple plays in his chances,” Carroll said. “This is the time, he’s got to go. He could likely play and have to play in some critical situations in this game against a really good passing team.”