Rivers to Sit; Ashton to Start

After playing most of the last two games in place of Keith Rivers, USC senior Collin Ashton will start at weakside linebacker tonight when the top-ranked Trojans play Stanford at the Coliseum.

Rivers played only a few series against Washington and came out after the opening kickoff against Washington State because of hamstring tightness.

“If we were to push it this weekend, he might aggravate it and it might last a lot longer so the thought right now is to hold him out of this game and not go with him and see if we get him back healthy next week,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

Ashton, a former walk-on, started two games in 2003.

Two weeks ago against Washington, Ashton made a team-high nine tackles. He had seven tackles last week against Washington State.

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Carmen Trutanich, an attorney who was previously retained for legal situations by USC running back Hershel Dennis and former Trojan cornerback Eric Wright, said he would represent linebacker Rey Maualuga, who could face criminal charges after an incident in which he allegedly punched a man during a party earlier this week.

Trutanich said Maualuga signed a retainer agreement Friday after a meeting on campus.

“Right now, I’m still trying to determine what the facts are and what transpired,” Trutanich said. “After I do that, we’ll establish a game plan.”

Maualuga, a freshman from Eureka, Calif., was arrested and booked early Tuesday morning on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. He is free on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 22.

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Tonight’s game is sold out. ... USC leads the series against Stanford, 56-24-3. ... Off-site parking at Staples Center has been moved to Lots 5, 6, 7 and 11, located at 11th and Hope Streets. Shuttles to the Coliseum will begin at approximately 3:30 p.m. and will run until approximately one hour after the game, according to USC officials.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Stanford (4-3, 3-2)

at No. 1 USC (8-0, 5-0)

Tonight, 7

TV: TBS. Radio: 1540

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WHEN USC HAS THE BALL

Quarterback Matt Leinart has been back in a groove the last two games and the Trojans are coming off a season-best 745-yard performance against Washington State. Reggie Bush and LenDale White are averaging 114 and 107 yards rushing. With Dominique Byrd nursing a hip injury, Fred Davis could start at tight end. Linebackers Kevin Schimmelmann and Jon Alston are defensive leaders for Stanford, which ranks sixth in the Pac-10 in total defense.

WHEN STANFORD HAS THE BALL

The Cardinal ranks last in the Pac-10 in total offense. Senior quarterback Trent Edwards has passed for 12 touchdowns with two interceptions, but receiver Mark Bradford, a former star at Fremont High, was injured against UCLA and his status for the game is unclear. USC ranks first in the Pac-10 in total defense and rushing defense and fourth in passing defense.

KEYS TO A USC VICTORY

1. Protect Leinart. The Trojans need a healthy Heisman Trophy winner for the final four games of the regular season.

2. Pressure Edwards. USC will try to put the heat on the Cardinal quarterback and force him to make poor decisions. Stanford has given up 22 sacks.

3. Remain focused. With a return to Cal looming next week, looking ahead could be a danger for the Trojans.

HOW THEY COMPARE

*--* USC Stanford 49.8 Scoring 27.7 20.5 Points allowed 29.1 344.0 Passing offense 196.4 257.6 Rushing offense 114.4 601.6 Total offense 310.9 231.8 Passing defense 282.7 107.6 Rushing defense 144.7 339.4 Total defense 427.4

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-- Gary Klein