Trojans Get Even Thinner at Cornerback

William Buchanon moved from receiver to cornerback this week in case USC’s depleted secondary took another hit because of injury or other circumstances.

Buchanon’s role became prominent Wednesday when freshman Kevin Thomas learned he had mononucleosis.

Seniors Justin Wyatt and John Walker and freshman Cary Harris are the only healthy scholarship cornerbacks.

Coach Pete Carroll said Thomas had not been feeling well for about a week. The coaching staff learned test results just as the top-ranked Trojans were about to begin stretching exercises. Carroll said Thomas would probably be out four to six weeks.

“Bring me your tired, your weak, your hungry,” Carroll said in mock exasperation after practice. “Hey, it’s what it is. We just keep rocking and rolling and fix the situation the best we can.”

USC will go into Saturday’s Pacific 10 Conference opener at No. 24 Oregon with a secondary that has been thinning since the end of last season.

Eric Wright, a returning starter, left school in June in the aftermath of an incident in which police found 136 Ecstasy pills in the room of his apartment.

Terrell Thomas, who took Wright’s place in the lineup, suffered a season-ending knee injury last Saturday against Arkansas, bumping Walker into a starting role.

Kevin Thomas made his debut against Arkansas and was pushing to become the third cornerback. But after he was informed of his illness, he removed his shoulder pads and dejectedly watched practice.

“I can’t talk today,” Thomas said as he exited Howard Jones Field afterward.

Buchanon, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior from Oceanside, impressed at receiver during spring practice and also made several big plays during training camp. But with Dwayne Jarrett and Patrick Turner ahead of him on the depth chart, Buchanon had yet to catch a pass.

Buchanon, the son of former All-Pro cornerback Willie Buchanon, started three games at cornerback in 2002. He said he knew the coaching staff would call on him after Terrell Thomas’ injury.

“It hurts a little because receiver is my first love, but if I can make plays on defense that’s going to be just as good,” said Buchanon, who intercepted two passes Wednesday but also gave up a short touchdown pass on the final play of practice.

Harris also is competing to be the third cornerback, but Carroll said Buchanon’s experience would factor into decisions about playing time.

“There is a tendency for us to feel more comfortable with him anyway because he’s played before,” Carroll said.

Junior college transfer Mozique McCurtis, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, is still considered a week away from contributing. Freshman Will Harris is coming back from an ankle injury.

Walk-on Alex Gomez might make the trip to Oregon to provide depth, according to Carroll.

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Carroll had crowd noise piped in to simulate the conditions the Trojans will face at Autzen Stadium, which will be sold out for the 39th consecutive game. ... Linebacker Dallas Sartz won’t play against Oregon because of a dislocated shoulder, but he said his arm would be out of a sling Sunday and he would try to be ready for the Oct. 1 game at Arizona State.