Booty Out to Prove Himself

After playing his least effective game as a starter, USC quarterback John David Booty is eager to return to the Coliseum for Saturday’s game against Arizona State.

Booty passed for 243 yards and a touchdown against Washington, but one of his passes was intercepted, three were batted down and the fourth-year junior was tentative on throws similar to those he had completed in the first four games.

“It was the first time I really felt like I didn’t play up to my caliber,” Booty said after practice Tuesday. “Missed plays happen, but you don’t want it to keep happening throughout the game.

“Hopefully, if that happens again, I’ll be able to bounce back in the middle of the game.”

Booty is ranked second in the Pacific 10 Conference in passing efficiency, completing 65% of his attempts for 1,209 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions.

And he has yet to play with a completely healthy receiving corps.

All-American split end Dwayne Jarrett was slowed by a quadriceps injury in the season opener against Arkansas, caught 11 passes against Nebraska but is nursing a shoulder bruise that kept him out of the Washington State game. Jarrett played briefly against Washington and will play Saturday, Coach Pete Carroll said.

Flanker Steve Smith had a breakout game with 11 catches against Washington State but is scheduled to have an MRI exam today on his ankle. Chris McFoy remains sidelined because of a shoulder injury.

Booty connected with sophomore Patrick Turner 12 times against Washington.

“That’s what makes you get better,” said Steve Sarkisian, USC’s quarterbacks coach. “When you have three different games and a different receiver has [more than 10 catches] ... it develops your belief in the guys that are in the system.”

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Junior tailback Chauncey Washington rushed for a career-best 81 yards in 17 carries against Washington and could have had more if a 61-yard run had not been nullified by a penalty.

“That’s the first time I thought he looked like the Chauncey we remembered and were hoping to see,” Carroll said.

Washington, who was in the 2003 recruiting class with Reggie Bush and LenDale White, said he was almost back to full speed after being hampered by hamstring problems since the summer.

“I believe I can hit another gear, but it takes time getting the hamstring stronger,” he said.

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Freshman receiver Jamere Holland, who is redshirting after shoulder surgery, has begun to work out in preparation for the track season.

Holland, the 2005 state 100- and 200-meter champion at Woodland Hills Taft, said he would compete in both events and possibly relays. Holland said he also would participate in spring football practice.

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Chilo Rachal (ankle) did not practice, and Carroll said his status would be evaluated each day. Alatini Malu is on track to start again in Rachal’s place.... Running back Desmond Reed was absent from practice because of an academic assignment, Carroll said.

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gary.klein@latimes.com