Leinart Doesn’t Get Shirt Shrift

Matt Leinart’s No. 11 jersey will not be retired by USC and encased in glass at Heritage Hall until after this season. But when fans arrive at the Coliseum for tonight’s game against Arkansas, they will see No. 11 added to the row of giant jerseys of other Trojan Heisman Trophy winners that adorn the stadium’s peristyle end.

Athletic department officials discussed whether to wait until Leinart left USC.

“All the other guys won it in their senior years and were gone,” said Jose Eskenazi, an associate athletic director. “The oddity with Matt is that he’s back. Still, we wanted to keep with the tradition of honoring Heisman winners and that’s why we put him up there.”

The stadium, where USC has won 21 consecutive games, will have additional touches. New cardinal-and-gold bunting will ring the field and the “USC” in both end zones will be painted in thicker letters. The 2004 national championship banner will be unveiled and those commemorating the program’s national titles and Rose Bowl appearances will hang beneath the press box.

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There will be no off-site parking or shuttle service from Staples Center this season, according to an athletic department spokesman. Parking and a shuttle to and from the Coliseum is available at the Los Angeles County Autopark Facility, located at 318 W. Adams Blvd. Parking is $10. The shuttles begin to run two hours before kickoff and will return from the Coliseum until one hour after the game’s conclusion.

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Fewer than 1,000 tickets for tonight’s game will be for sale at the Coliseum, according to an athletic department spokesman. ... USC is 2-1 against Arkansas. The Trojans defeated the Razorbacks, 31-10, in 1972 at Little Rock, and 17-0 in 1973 at the Coliseum. In 1974, Arkansas won, 22-7, at Little Rock. ... Johnny Booty, father of USC quarterback John David Booty, was an Arkansas quarterback in 1972 before transferring to Mississippi State and then Louisiana Tech. Frank Kalil, father of USC center Ryan Kalil, was a center at Arkansas in 1978 before transferring to Arizona.

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WHEN USC HAS THE BALL

Matt Leinart, who leads the nation in passing efficiency, broke down film of NFL defenses during the off-season and it showed in how he managed the Trojan offense against Hawaii. USC ran Reggie Bush instead of LenDale White in goal-line situations in the opener. One game might have been an experiment; two would be a pattern. Flanker Steve Smith is averaging a nation-leading 185 yards receiving a game. Safety Vickiel Vaughn and linebacker Sam Olajubutu lead an Arkansas defense that surrenders 373 yards a game.

WHEN ARKANSAS HAS THE BALL

The Razorbacks will try to exploit USC’s untested defensive line with a rushing attack that statistically ranks No. 1 in the nation. De’Arrius Howard averages nearly eight yards a carry, Peyton Hillis 6.0. Quarterback Robert Johnson has completed 58% of his passes. USC cornerbacks face tall receivers in practice and will see another in 6-foot-6 sophomore Marcus Monk, who has 11 receptions and two touchdowns. USC sophomore Josh Pinkard will start at strong safety in place of injured Darnell Bing.

KEYS TO A USC VICTORY

1. Protect Leinart: The Heisman Trophy winner was sacked only once against Hawaii.

2. Stop the run: Arkansas relies on its running game. USC needs to find out if it can rely on its defensive line.

3. Control emotions: Outbursts resulted only in penalties against Hawaii. They could cost USC a victory against a more formidable opponent.

HOW THEY COMPARE

*--* USC Arkansas 63.0 Scoring 36.5 17.0 Points allowed 22.5 341.0 Passing offense 156.0 177.0 Rushing offense 338.5 518.0 Total offense 494.5 377.0 Passing defense 219.0 60.0 Rushing defense 154.0 437.0 Total defense 373.0

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-- Gary Klein