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Carrying Charge

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Times Staff Writer

USC made its run to a second consecutive national title last season with a defense that allowed a largely inexperienced offense to mature into one of the best in college football.

When the top-ranked Trojans begin their pursuit of an unprecedented third straight Associated Press national championship, they will engage in some role reversal.

The offense, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart, is expected to bear the early burden for a defense that lost four All-Americans.

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“We might have to carry the load for a while,” junior flanker Steve Smith said.

That should not be a chore for a unit that some regard as, potentially, one of the best in college football history.

USC averaged 38 points and nearly 450 yards a game last season under offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who left USC after four seasons for a similar job with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. The controls are now in the hands of Steve Sarkisian, the assistant head coach, and Lane Kiffin, the offensive coordinator.

The transition has been eased by the presence of Leinart, who, after undergoing elbow surgery and overcoming a hernia, appears stronger than he was last season, when he passed for 3,322 yards and 33 touchdowns with only six interceptions.

Redshirt sophomore John David Booty is expected to receive significant playing time if the Trojans rout certain opponents as expected. If all goes according to plan -- read: Leinart stays injury-free -- freshman Mark Sanchez will redshirt, setting up a battle with Booty to become Leinart’s successor next spring.

Running backs Reggie Bush and LenDale White start the season in the best shape of their careers. Bush, a 2004 Heisman finalist, put on seven pounds in the off-season and is intent on proving he can run between the tackles as well as he catches and runs with the ball and returns kicks. White, the Trojans’ leading rusher the last two seasons, slimmed down to 225 pounds, hoping to show he can do more than simply pound the ball. Sophomore Desmond Reed is a game-breaker in the Bush mold.

“I don’t know how a defense can account for everything those guys can do,” center Ryan Kalil said.

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Fullbacks David Kirtman and Brandon Hancock both block well and give the Trojans another pass-catching dimension in the backfield.

Smith and sophomore split end Dwayne Jarrett are among the nation’s dynamic receiving duos. Freshman Patrick Turner, junior Chris McFoy and senior William Buchanon provide depth. Tight end Dominique Byrd is a deep threat who allows the Trojans to stretch the field.

The offensive line is talented, experienced and deep. Tackles Winston Justice and Sam Baker are honors candidates, as is Kalil. Guards Fred Matua and Taitusi Lutui are strong and versatile. Junior tackle Kyle Williams and redshirt freshman guard Chilo Rachal also will play.

Senior linebacker Dallas Sartz said that practicing daily against the Trojan offense, as frustrating as it can be at times, would pay off when USC meets any other team.

“That’s what we keep telling ourselves,” Sartz said.

With All-American tackles Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody now in the NFL, sophomore Sedrick Ellis and senior LaJuan Ramsey move into starting roles. They are flanked by experienced ends in sophomore Lawrence Jackson and senior Frostee Rucker. Freshman Kyle Moore could back up at both end spots.

Sartz, a starter for most of the previous two seasons, anchors a linebacker corps that features two new starters. Junior Oscar Lua will open the season at middle linebacker, replacing All-American Lofa Tatupu. Sophomore Keith Rivers replaces All-American Matt Grootegoed. Freshmen Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Kaluka Maiava all could play.

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Senior Justin Wyatt and sophomore Terrell Thomas are the starting cornerbacks and senior John Walker will play in obvious passing situations. Freshmen Kevin Thomas, Cary Harris and Will Harris also could push for playing time as the season progresses.

Strong safety Darnell Bing will start for the third year, and senior free safety Scott Ware started three games last fall. Sophomore Josh Pinkard also will rotate in.

Sophomore Mario Danelo will be used on field goals and extra points, and freshman Troy Van Blarcom will kick off. Both will be playing in their first college games when the Trojans open the season Saturday at Hawaii.

Just as it did last season, USC will try to go wire to wire and win the bowl championship series title game.

But the Trojans will not have the benefit of what turned out to be last season’s tailor-made schedule.

USC parlayed three timely free weekends into a 12-0 record before routing Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.

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This season’s schedule -- the layout if not the opponents -- could be tougher because the Trojans will not have the benefit of an extra week to prepare or heal before playing California. In 2003, when they lost in triple-overtime, and 2004, when they staged a dramatic game-winning defensive stand, the Trojans had been off the weekend before playing the Golden Bears.

After the opener at Hawaii, USC has an open date before its home opener against Arkansas on Sept. 17. The matchup against the Razorbacks is the first of 10 games in 10 weeks, including the Pacific 10 Conference opener at Oregon on Sept. 24 and a trip to No. 20 Arizona State the following week.

After what could be a respite at home against rebuilding Arizona, the Trojans play consecutive road games against Notre Dame and Washington. USC plays four of its last five at home, but the Trojans must travel to No. 19 Cal -- site of their last defeat -- before meeting Fresno State on Nov. 19 at the Coliseum.

USC’s second weekend off precedes the season finale against UCLA at the Coliseum.

“Right now, all we’re thinking about is Hawaii,” White said. “When everything is over, that’s when you look back.”

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

AT A GLANCE

* Coach: Pete Carroll, fifth season, 42-9.

* Last season: 13-0 overall, 8-0 in Pac-10, first.

* Key losses: Four All-Americans must be replaced on defense -- tackles Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody, and linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Matt Grootegoed. The Trojans also lost Jason Leach, who played both safety positions, cornerback Eric Wright, who left USC in the aftermath of a sexual assault investigation that also involved drugs, and kicker Ryan Killeen.

* Returning starters: Senior quarterback Matt Leinart could join Archie Griffin as the only players to win two Heisman trophies. Junior running back Reggie Bush was a Heisman finalist last season and junior LenDale White has been the Trojans’ leading rusher two years in a row. Sophomore split end Dwayne Jarrett, junior flanker Steve Smith and senior tight end Dominique Byrd make up one of the nation’s best receiving corps. Left tackle Sam Baker, left guard Fred Matua and center Ryan Kalil matured into solid starters in 2004.

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* Top newcomers: Freshman split end Patrick Turner came to USC as the nation’s top-rated prospect at his position. So did quarterback Mark Sanchez, who probably will redshirt if Leinart stays healthy. Freshman defensive end Kyle Moore could see extensive playing time. Troy Van Blarcom will handle kickoffs.

* Offense: Some regard the unit as one of the most talented in college football history. Leinart, Bush, White, Jarrett, Smith and Byrd are proven playmakers. Assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin replace Norm Chow as caretakers of a unit that averaged 38 points a game last season. Desmond Reed supplies more depth at tailback and David Kirtman and Brandon Hancock are versatile fullbacks. Turner, Chris McFoy, William Buchanon, Whitney Lewis and Greig Carlson provide receiving corps depth. The line, a question mark a year ago, is the understated strength of the unit. Redshirt sophomore Mario Danelo will kick extra points and field goals.

* Defense: The Trojans ranked first nationally in rushing defense last season, a feat that will be difficult to duplicate with so many new starters. Sophomore Sedrick Ellis and senior LaJuan Ramsey replace Patterson and Cody, respectively. Travis Tofi also will rotate in at tackle. Lawrence Jackson and Frostee Rucker return at end. Junior Oscar Lua will open the season as the starting middle linebacker and Keith Rivers moves into a starting role at the weak-side spot. Strong-side linebacker Dallas Sartz is a Butkus Award candidate. Justin Wyatt and sophomore Terrell Thomas will start at cornerback, Darnell Bing and Scott Ware at safety.

* Intangibles: The Trojans are accustomed to playing for championships under Carroll. They have twice traveled the road to titles without looking back or ahead. That focus could be their biggest advantage.

* Key to the season: Leinart’s health and the heart of the defense. Do not underestimate the Heisman Trophy winner’s influence on the team. Still, as electrifying as the offense could be, USC’s success the last three seasons was built on defense. If it plays well, the Trojans could be in Pasadena for the BCS title game.

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*--* SCHEDULE

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* Saturday, at Hawaii, 4 p.m. PDT, ESPN2: June Jones said goodbye to quarterback Timmy Chang and added quotable Jerry Glanville to his Hawaii staff.

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* Sept. 17 vs. Arkansas, 7:15 p.m., FSN: Woo Pig Soooie! The Razorbacks would have a better chance if Matt Jones were still in college. USC will be out to win its 22nd consecutive home game.

* Sept. 24 at Oregon, 4 p.m., Channel 7: Beware of Pac-10 openers on the road. See USC at Cal in 2003, USC at Stanford in 2004.

* Oct. 1 at Arizona State, TBA: The last time Matt Leinart was in Tempe, in 2003, he overcame an injury scare, limped back onto the field and guided the Trojans to victory.

* Oct. 8 vs. Arizona, TBA: Mike Stoops probably should tell brother Bob to just keep that Orange Bowl tape.

* Oct. 15 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m. PDT, Channel 4: Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis inherited a rough schedule and a team that will be hard-pressed to keep pace with USC’s team speed.

* Oct. 22 at Washington, TBA: The Huskies can only get better under Tyrone Willingham. But the coach who could not beat USC while at Notre Dame does not have the players to do it now.

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* Oct. 29 vs. Washington State, 12:30 p.m., Channel 7: Linebacker Will Derting is as hard-nosed as they come, but he’s probably not good enough to spoil USC’s homecoming.

* Nov. 5 vs. Stanford, TBA: Pete Carroll and Cardinal Coach Walt Harris were buddies when they coached together at Pacific. How great would this be if it were Carroll vs. Norm Chow?

* Nov. 12 at California, TBA: Aaron Rodgers might be gone, but as long as Jeff Tedford is coaching the Golden Bears, USC had better tread lightly. The Trojans return to the site of their last loss.

* Nov. 19 vs. Fresno State, 7:15 p.m., FSN: References to the 1992 Freedom Bowl probably aren’t appropriate.

* Dec. 3 vs. UCLA, 1:30 p.m., Channel 7: The Bruins almost tripped up the Trojans last season. It will be tougher to accomplish the feat at the Coliseum, but improved UCLA might be capable.

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