Lua Wants to Be Calling the Shots

Oscar Lua overcame two major knee surgeries and three years of waiting for an opportunity to show that he could start at middle linebacker for USC.

With All-American Lofa Tatupu now in the NFL, Coach Pete Carroll is giving Lua his chance.

Carroll said Saturday that if the season were starting now, Lua would be calling the defense because he knows it better than younger players and is commanding the huddle well.

“The key is experience,” said Lua, a fourth-year junior from Indio who backed up Mike Pollard in 2002 and Tatupu in 2004 after sitting out the 2003 season because of surgeries.

Carroll has also looked at seniors Collin Ashton, Ryan Powdrell, sophomore Thomas Williams and freshmen Rey Maualuga and Luthur Brown, but Lua has been the most consistent.

“After watching what’s happened and seeing a play here, a play there that gets away from us just because of alignments or just fundamental responsibilities, it’s obvious that we need to get real secure right now and buy time for the other guys to keep the competition going,” Carroll said.

Lua said he would be ready for the challenge of replacing Tatupu.

“Quarterbacking the defense is really a big deal, especially for the No. 1 team in the country,” he said. “But that’s what I came here for, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Powdrell worked with the weak-side group on Saturday, and freshman Brian Cushing continued to impress on the strong side in place of starter Dallas Sartz, who could be out for another week because of a hip pointer, Carroll said.

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Senior Taitusi Lutui has all but secured the starting left guard job because of his play and injuries suffered by Drew Radovich.

Radovich sustained a concussion a few days ago but returned to practice Saturday. One play before the morning workout ended, he suffered a pinched nerve along his spine and strained muscles in his neck.

“It’s been a real annoying week,” said Radovich, who wore a neck brace in the afternoon and was scheduled to have an MRI exam Saturday night or Monday.

Near the end of the afternoon session, snapper Will Collins sustained a shoulder sprain and was replaced by Ashton.

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Tailback Reggie Bush did not practice again because of a tight groin but worked with a trainer on the field.

“It’s just tightness, normal camp stuff, nothing serious,” Bush said. “You don’t want to risk anything at this point.”

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The Trojans will practice tonight on Cromwell Field’s artificial surface to prepare for the Sept. 3 opener against Hawaii at Aloha Stadium.... Carroll gave players the evening off from meetings so they could have a barbecue with the women’s volleyball and women’s soccer teams.... Tight end Nick Vanderboom sustained a high ankle sprain on Friday and could be sidelined three to four weeks, he said.