Hinds’ Spring Fling: Three TDs

USC quarterback John David Booty will begin training camp in August as Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart’s backup.

Incoming freshman Mark Sanchez is expected to make a push for the role, but redshirt freshman Rocky Hinds showed Saturday that he should not be counted out of the competition.

Hinds passed for three touchdowns to lead his team to a 34-14 victory in a 91-play intrasquad scrimmage that concluded spring workouts.

“I just wanted to finish strong and that’s what I did,” said Hinds, who completed 14 of 25 passes for 222 yards with one interception.

Coach Pete Carroll said he was pleased with the progress of a team that will open the season Sept. 3 at Hawaii.

After splitting repetitions with Hinds throughout 14 spring workouts, Booty was listed second on the depth chart that USC released Friday.

On Saturday, Booty completed six of 20 passes for 63 yards and scored on a three-yard run. Linebacker Keith Rivers intercepted one of his passes and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown.

Nevertheless, Carroll reiterated that Booty is No. 2 behind Leinart, who is coming off elbow surgery.

“We have two quarterbacks we can play with.... That’s what we hoped to come out of here feeling,” Carroll said.

Just as he did in last week’s scrimmage at the Coliseum, running back Desmond Reed made the biggest play of the day, scoring on a 61-yard run in the first series. The redshirt sophomore finished with 100 yards in eight carries and returned a kickoff 31 yards.

“You can just about call him the MVP every time we come out here,” Carroll said.

Senior split end William Buchanon continued to raise his profile with three receptions for 83 yards. Buchanon scored two touchdowns, the first when he picked up a fumble by senior tailback Andre Woodert and ran 10 yards to the end zone to complete a 57-yard scoring play, the second on a 42-yard pass from Hinds.

“I feel like I got a lot of opportunities this spring and I maximized the chances I got,” said Buchanon, who is listed behind starter Dwayne Jarrett, but will be challenged by incoming freshman Patrick Turner.

Middle linebacker Oscar Lua made nine tackles and intercepted a screen pass by Hinds. Carroll again praised nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, who is filling the void left by the departure of All-American Mike Patterson.

With three other All-Americans to replace -- tackle Shaun Cody and linebackers Matt Grootegoed and Lofa Tatupu -- end Lawrence Jackson said defensive players must continue to work during the three months leading to training camp.

“We’ll find out in the fall if we’re ready to go or not,” Jackson said.

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Freshman running back Michael Coleman rushed for 55 yards in 12 carries. Redshirt sophomore Chauncey Washington gained 37 yards in 10 carries and scored on a one-yard run.... Reggie Bush did not play because of a jammed toe.... Cornerback Eric Wright, who was suspended from the team indefinitely after his March 26 arrest on suspicion of rape, is scheduled to appear Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.