Moore Is Looking for More

USC’s switch this season from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 hybrid scheme left defensive end Kyle Moore as the odd man out.

But Moore, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound sophomore from Georgia, played in passing situations against Arizona State and is making a push for more.

“The 3-4 cuts down some opportunities, but I just have to fight back in practice and make them play me,” Moore said Wednesday. “This week is a great opportunity for everybody to get back, hopefully, into a 4-3.”

In the Trojans’ 3-4, sophomore linebacker Brian Cushing has played a rush-end “elephant” position opposite junior end Lawrence Jackson.

Coach Pete Carroll said the Trojans would continue to use a variety of looks, but he challenged Moore and junior ends Jeff Schweiger and Alex Morrow to step up this week.

USC ended a two-game drought by getting two sacks against Arizona State. The Trojans, who have an open date this week, have only nine sacks.

“We’re stressing that a lot with a different combination of rushes and the things that we’re doing,” Carroll said.

With Jackson and other starters taking fewer repetitions during the bye week, Moore, Schweiger and Morrow have practiced with the first unit. All are expected to play extensively when the Trojans scrimmage today.

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Rey Maualuga acknowledged he had been disciplined by Carroll for an off-the-field incident but declined to comment about the specifics.

“It was a misunderstanding,” Maualuga said.

According to a published report, Maualuga was punished for unruly behavior at a fraternity party near campus after the Oct. 7 home game against Washington.

Carroll would not confirm the report or the specifics of the disciplinary action but said the incident did not involve police.

“I’m always disappointed when I have to take action,” Carroll said.

In May, Maualuga, 19, was charged with one misdemeanor count of battery for punching a man at a 2005 Halloween party near campus. Maualuga agreed to take part in an arraignment diversion program that included anger management counseling, attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and community service.

Under the agreement, the charge would be dismissed if no new charges were filed against Maualuga in a year.

Frank Mateljan, a city attorney’s office spokesman, said Wednesday that the latest incident probably would not affect Maualuga because no complaint or report had been filed by a law enforcement agency.

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Offensive tackle Kyle Williams did not practice and said he would sit out the rest of the week because of sprained ligaments in both knees. Williams said he was told by doctors that there were no tears.... Former football players Matt Leinart, Mark Carrier, Charles Young, Earl McCullouch, C.R. Roberts, Charley Ane, Pat Cannamela and Manuel Laraneta are among 24 athletes who will be inducted into USC’s Athletic Hall of Fame at a black-tie dinner on May 5 at USC’s Galen Center. Cannamela and Laraneta are among those who will honored posthumously. Tickets are available by calling the USC athletic department at (213) 740-4155.

gary.klein@latimes.com