Lua Is in a Rush to Prove His Mettle

An Arkansas team that leads the nation in rushing has put much of the focus on USC’s defensive line.

But when the top-ranked Trojans play the Razorbacks on Saturday night at the Coliseum, Oscar Lua also will be facing his first major challenge as the starting middle linebacker.

Lua, who is replacing All-American Lofa Tatupu, said Wednesday that the season opener against Hawaii’s run-and-shoot offense did not allow him to fully showcase his ability to run the defense. He made three tackles in the Trojans’ rout, but said the Razorbacks -- averaging 338.5 yards rushing -- would provide a better measure.

“I have to call the shots, get them lined up and tell them where to go,” Lua said. “This is the challenge I signed up for and I’m ready.”

Lua said he has been waiting since the start of training camp for a chance to match up against a run-oriented offense.

“This is what football was founded on -- smash-mouth, between the tackles,” Lua said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

*

Sophomore safety Josh Pinkard appears on track to start in place of Darnell Bing, who ran but did not practice because of a hip injury.

“Nobody has said ‘you’re starting,’ but when we’re watching film, they’re telling me to be ready in case he can’t go,” said Pinkard, who has worked with the first-unit defense for more than a week.

Coach Pete Carroll said he was going to “challenge” Bing to “come out [today] and go” before making a determination on his status for Saturday.

*

Cornerback Justin Wyatt took five stitches in his left eyebrow on Monday after he was accidentally kicked in the head by receiver Chris McFoy. He practiced on Tuesday but awoke Wednesday morning with heavy swelling and was held out of practice. Wyatt is expected to work out today and play on Saturday.

*

Freshman quarterback Mark Sanchez said he has spoken several times with his father, Nick, an Orange County Fire Department captain whose search-and-rescue unit was deployed Aug. 31 to the Gulf Coast region to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Sanchez misses seeing his father, a regular along the sidelines at practice, but said he is proud of his dad.

“There’s something real special about what he’s doing,” Sanchez said. “I’m just glad he’s able to help people down there. This is what he’s been trained for.”

*

It was a reunion of sorts last weekend when Carroll and assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian sat with Mississippi Coach Ed Orgeron during a Southland junior college game.

Ole Miss plays Saturday against Vanderbilt, which defeated Arkansas last week. Though they are studying similar game tapes, Carroll said he had not talked to Orgeron this week.

“It will be fun to compare notes afterward,” Carroll said.

*

Freshman linebacker Brian Cushing will not play against Arkansas because of a shoulder injury suffered Tuesday, Carroll said. Tom Malone (hip) will punt and fullback Brandon Hancock (ankle) will play, but the status of defensive end Kyle Moore (knee) will not be determined until today, according to Carroll.... Teammates sang “Happy Birthday” to offensive tackle Winston Justice and defensive end Frostee Rucker, who celebrated their 21st and 22nd birthdays, respectively. “We already had it planned that we would spend practice pounding on each other,” Justice said. “Call it a tie.”