Different Slant

Steve Smith’s role for USC’s football team suited his personality last season.

As USC’s third receiver, Smith worked quietly in the background while offensive coordinator Norm Chow and quarterback Matt Leinart looked to flanker Keary Colbert and wide receiver Mike Williams in most clutch situations.

But with role-model Colbert in the NFL and Williams on his way there because the NCAA refused to reinstate his eligibility, the low-key Smith has quickly evolved into top-ranked USC’s No. 1 receiver.

Through four games, the sophomore flanker from Canoga Park has a team-best 25 receptions. He has scored twice and has produced several long gains that set up scoring opportunities. Smith also is emerging as a more vocal leader of a maturing receiving corps.

“He’s the go-to guy now,” Leinart said.

Leinart intends to find the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Smith often on Saturday, when USC plays seventh-ranked California in a Pacific 10 Conference game at the sold-out Coliseum.

The Trojans have 13 consecutive victories since losing to Cal in triple overtime last year at Berkeley, 34-31.

Smith had one reception for nine yards in that defeat, the only blemish on a 12-1 Trojan season that resulted in a share of the national title.

“Everyone has been looking forward to this game,” Smith said. “It’s another chance for all the receivers to show how much we’ve improved.”

In the immediate aftermath of USC’s Rose Bowl victory over Michigan, Smith figured to play a prominent but secondary role in the Trojans’ passing game this season.

Colbert had finished his career as USC’s all-time receptions leader, but Williams still had two years of eligibility remaining.

Then, after a federal judge had ruled in favor of former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett in his case against the NFL, Williams announced he was turning pro.

As the drama surrounding Williams’ situation unfolded through the spring and summer, Smith -- who’d caught 17 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns in 2003 -- prepared for a season in which he was expected to share the receiving load with fellow sophomore Whitney Lewis.

But Lewis was declared academically ineligible before training camp began.

Shortly afterward, Smith said, Trojan Coach Pete Carroll and receiver coach Lane Kiffin delivered similar messages.

“On and off the field, they wanted me to step it up big time,” Smith said. “They said, ‘You now have to show life.’ ”

Smith started the season with four receptions for 68 yards against Virginia Tech, including a 46-yard pass play that set up the last of running back Reggie Bush’s three touchdown receptions.

“That was my first time playing the whole game,” Smith said. “We fared pretty well, but we definitely could have made some more plays and contributed more.”

Smith caught a career-best eight passes for 79 yards and a touchdown against Colorado State and had six catches for 62 yards against Brigham Young. He had his best performance, though, on Sept. 25 at Stanford. He caught seven passes for a career-best 129 yards and a touchdown.

Kiffin said Smith’s attitude on the sideline was almost as important as his play. “You saw emotion and passion out of him, which is something that he has not shown before,” Kiffin said. “It was like he wasn’t going to let us lose.”

Smith laughs when he ponders his transition because losses were exactly what he wished upon the Trojans for most of his career at Woodland Hills Taft High.

“I used to come to USC games and root for other teams,” said Smith, who set state records for receptions and receiving yards and also intercepted 24 passes at Taft. “I never liked SC. Ever.”

Before making an official recruiting visit to USC, Smith committed to Tennessee during a trip to Knoxville. He knew Volunteer quarterback Casey Clausen because Clausen’s brother, Rick, was Smith’s quarterback at Taft.

“I told the coach I was going to come,” Smith said of Tennessee. “When he showed me that jersey, I was like, ‘Yeah,’ ”

His family, however, was not thrilled with the thought of Smith moving across the country. Smith began leaning toward USC while watching Williams star as a freshman for the Trojans in the fall of 2002, but he remained wary because the Trojans also were recruiting Lewis at Ventura St. Bonaventure High.

On the morning of Feb. 5, 2003, Smith signed a letter of intent with USC. Later that afternoon, Lewis signed with the Trojans.

“When I heard he signed, I was mad that I signed here,” Smith said. “I had a basketball game and I wasn’t even playing good -- it was on my mind the whole time.

“You don’t know how the situation is going to unfold.”

Smith reported to training camp last season after spending the summer shadowing Colbert and immediately impressed coaches with his sure hands and precise routes. Lewis reported overweight and was moved to the backfield.

Smith easily won the slot as the Trojans’ third receiver and continued to learn from Colbert as the Trojans won a share of their first national title since 1978.

This season, Smith is applying -- and sharing -- those lessons.

“Keary’s demeanor, the way he runs routes and the way he studies film are things I took from him,” Smith said. “Now, I’m trying to set the same example.”