Freshman Robert Woods starts at receiver for USC against Hawaii

Reporting from — 

Robert Woods became the first true freshman in the modern era to start an opener at receiver for USC, and the former Gardena Serra High star excelled in the Trojans’ season opener against Hawaii on Thursday night at Aloha Stadium.

Woods caught four passes for 46 yards in the first half and also helped set up a scoring drive with an impressive 30-yard kickoff return.

Woods returned three kicks for 51 yards in the first half.

Nickell Robey became the first true freshman to start at cornerback for USC in the modern era.

Moderately special

USC has spent a good part of practices performing special-teams drills, and the results were mixed in the first half.

After USC scored a first-quarter touchdown on a 46-yard pass play from quarterback Matt Barkley to receiver David Ausberry, the Trojans lined up in a spread formation for a two-point conversion attempt.

Backup quarterback Mitch Mustain threw a pass toward the left sideline, where Ausberry was isolated behind a wall of blockers, but the pass sailed high out of bounds.

Operating out of a traditional alignment, USC got the two-point conversion after its second touchdown on a pass from Barkley to receiver Ronald Johnson.

But the Trojans failed to convert after their next touchdown when Hawaii broke up a pass from Barkley intended for Ausberry.

The Trojans settled for Joe Houston’s extra-point kick after their fourth touchdown.

Salas shines

Hawaii receiver Greg Salas, who played at Chino High, caught six passes for 69 yards in the first half, including a controversial eight-yard reception.

Salas initially was ruled short of the end zone after the catch, but an official later appeared to signal touchdown, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers over a play that would have pulled the Warriors to within seven points of the Trojans.

Hawaii, however, was not awarded the touchdown and had to settle for a field goal that allowed USC to go into the locker room with a 27-16 halftime lead.

Tatupu remembered

Before the game, the stadium announcer honored the memory of the late Mosi Tatupu, a former USC and NFL fullback who died in February.

Tatupu played high school football in Hawaii. His son, Lofa, starred at linebacker for the Trojans and now plays for the Seattle Seahawks.

gary.klein@latimes.com

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