Pinkard, Thomas Grow in Hobbled Secondary

The sight has become all too familiar for USC this season: a defensive back lying on the turf, injured.

But when cornerback John Walker went down because of a high ankle sprain during the Trjoans’ 51-24 victory over Washington on Saturday, something good may have come from a bad situation.

For more than three quarters, the defense held steady with a few nice plays from freshman Kevin Thomas and, even more impressive, a solid performance from sophomore safety-turned-cornerback Josh Pinkard.

“We’re going to leave him there,” Coach Pete Carroll said of Pinkard. “I think this guy has a tremendous upside and he will be a good player for us on the outside.”

Pinkard had recently practiced at the corner and figured he might play Saturday. Still, it was a new experience.

“You can’t be as aggressive on runs,” he said. “But if they need me at the position, of course I’ll play it.”

USC also got help on special teams when safety Darnell Bing took the place of injured tailback Desmond Reed on kickoff returns.

Bing ran his first return 68 yards.

“Anytime a defensive player gets his hands on the ball, it’s always a wonderful feeling,” he said.

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Senior linebacker Collin Ashton played most of the game in place of Keith Rivers, who started and made one tackle but came out because of hamstring soreness.

Ashton finished with a team-best nine tackles.

End Frostee Rucker made seven tackles, including two sacks.

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Reggie Bush rushed for 51 yards in eight carries, the first time in six games that he was held under 100 yards rushing.

Running back LenDale White gained 56 yards in 16 carries, an average of 3.5 yards per carry. Last week against Notre Dame, White averaged only 2.6 yards per carry.

“I might be trying to force the issue a little too much,” he said.