Sartz and Thomas Suffer Injuries

Linebacker Dallas Sartz and cornerback Terrell Thomas were injured in the first quarter of USC’s 70-17 victory over Arkansas on Saturday night at the Coliseum and did not return.

Sartz, a senior who is the top-ranked Trojans’ most experienced defensive player, suffered a dislocated shoulder less than four minutes into the game on an Arkansas running play.

Freshman Brian Cushing, Sartz’s backup, was not available because he suffered a dislocated shoulder in practice last week. Sophomore Thomas Williams replaced Sartz.

Thomas suffered a right knee sprain with just under seven minutes left in the first quarter. He is scheduled to have an MRI exam Monday and to be examined by a doctor Tuesday.

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Instant replay made its debut at the Coliseum when two consecutive USC plays near the end zone came under review.

On first and goal from the three with 6:09 remaining in the second quarter, Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart passed to split end Dwayne Jarrett. Several officials on the field signaled touchdown, but the replay official in the press box ruled that Jarrett never had possession before Arkansas safety Vickiel Vaughn hit him and the ball fell to the ground.

On the next play, USC tailback LenDale White scored by reaching out to put the ball across the goal line. The play once again was reviewed, but this time the touchdown stood and USC led, 35-10.

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USC’s 2004 national championship banner was unveiled at the peristyle end of the Coliseum. An enlarged reproduction of Leinart’s No. 11 jersey was added to the display that includes other USC Heisman Trophy winners: Mike Garrett’s No. 20, O.J. Simpson’s No. 32, Charles White’s No. 12, Marcus Allen’s No. 33 and Carson Palmer’s No. 3.

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Before Arkansas took the field against top-ranked USC, the players and coaches took a moment to look around.

Entering the Coliseum for the first time during a Friday walk-through, players pointed at the Olympic torch and the massive replica jerseys of USC’s Heisman winners. Even Coach Houston Nutt seemed impressed.

“Lot of history right here in this stadium,” Nutt said. “You always hear about it and see it on TV. It makes it that much more special to tee it up here.”

Saturday night was not the first time that Nutt had been on the sideline for a game involving USC and the Razorbacks. In 1972 and 1974, he was a ballboy on the USC sideline when the Trojans played Arkansas at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Eighth-ranked USC beat fourth-ranked Arkansas, 31-10, in the 1972 opener and wound up with a perfect record en route to the national championship.

In 1974, the 20th-ranked Razorbacks stunned No. 5 USC, 22-7, in the opener. California tied the Trojans seven weeks later, but USC won a share of the national championship.

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Times staff writer David Wharton contributed to this report.