USC Would Rather Not Concede Middle Ground

USC defensive tackles LaJuan Ramsey and Sedrick Ellis have been waiting since the start of training camp.

So has middle linebacker Oscar Lua.

For more than six weeks, the three players in the middle of the Trojans’ 4-3 alignment have fielded questions about their ability to replace All-Americans and stop the run.

Tonight, when top-ranked USC plays Arkansas at the Coliseum, they and the rest of the Trojan defense will get their first real test.

Unlike Hawaii, which passed 49 times, Arkansas arrives as the nation’s top rushing team, averaging 338.5 yards a game.

“It’s the polar opposite,” Lua said.

“From A to Z on the spectrum,” Trojan Coach Pete Carroll said.

Nevertheless, USC welcomes the chance to face a more traditional offense as the Trojans begin a stretch of 10 consecutive games before their next open Saturday.

USC (1-0) did not play last week after extending its winning streak to 23 games by routing Hawaii on Sept. 3.

“We’ve played one game since [Jan. 4], so it’s been a long time,” said Carroll, referring to the Trojans’ demolition of Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. “We’re ready to get into the normal routine of the schedule.”

Trojan players said they were eager to finally play at home, where they have won 21 consecutive games.

“It kind of feels like we’ve been waiting around to get into the season,” senior linebacker Dallas Sartz said. “Everyone is looking forward to having no breaks anymore, just getting down to it.”

Arkansas (1-1) shot to the top of the NCAA rushing list by amassing 483 yards in a season-opening victory over Missouri State. The Razorbacks stayed No. 1 by running for 194 yards last week in a 28-24 Southeastern Conference loss to Vanderbilt.

Senior tailback De’Arrius Howard is ranked 11th nationally in rushing, averaging 129.5 yards a game. The Razorbacks also feature running backs Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis, each of whom rushed for at least 135 yards in the opener.

Sophomore Robert Johnson has replaced Matt Jones at quarterback and he operates behind a solid offensive line. His favorite target is Marcus Monk, a 6-foot-6 sophomore.

But USC, which last season led the nation in rushing defense, is anticipating that Arkansas will try to control the clock, and the line of scrimmage, by running the ball.

“We’ll see 40 or 50 runs this week I would guess,” Carroll said. “We’ll have plenty of opportunities to gauge how we’re doing.”

Ramsey, who replaced All-American Shaun Cody, says he is looking forward to the challenge of playing against a run-oriented offense. The senior said footwork would be a key to handling the Razorbacks.

“Arkansas tries to mix you up with the different schemes,” he said. “You play one block and then they give you another one. Once you step wrong, you’re completely done.”

Carroll, also the defensive coordinator, said no player needs to be a star or “all-everything” for the Trojans to be effective.

“The running attack will call for us to be really disciplined,” he said. “People don’t talk that much about what it takes to stop the run in terms of discipline, but that’s what I see.”

Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt is hoping his team will rebound from the loss to Vanderbilt, a defeat he described as the toughest in his seven-plus seasons. Now, the Razorbacks face a USC squad that is attempting to win a third consecutive national title.

Nutt said he detected “very little weakness” in the Trojans.

“Every time you turn on film, there aren’t many third and longs because they are always making first downs,” Nutt said. “It starts with the trigger man, Matt Leinart.”

Leinart, the Heisman Trophy winner, picked apart Jerry Glanville’s blitzing defense two weeks ago, calling audibles that resulted in mismatches for receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith.

Tonight, the Trojans face a scheme designed by defensive coordinator Reggie Herring. Last season, Herring coached at North Carolina State and the Wolfpack led the nation in total defense, giving up only 221.4 yards a game.

Arkansas is surrendering an average of 373 yards, and Nutt said the Razorbacks would be challenged to control an offense “that can make it happen anywhere on the field.”

USC running back Reggie Bush scored two touchdowns against Hawaii and got the bulk of the carries until the game was securely in hand. Afterward, LenDale White expressed frustration with his role but later said he was upset because of an issue outside of football.

White sat out a few days of practice because of a sore hamstring but has looked strong since returning.

Like his teammates who play defense, White is eager to match up against Arkansas.

“I feel better than 100%,” he said. “I feel good and can’t wait to get out there and play.”