Headed in Right Direction

The Trojan offensive linemen can throw away those wristbands with “112” on them.

USC is No. 109 in rushing offense this week, passing Brigham Young, East Carolina and last-place Iowa State by netting 123 yards against California. That performance more than doubled USC’s 28-yard average to 59.7 yards a game.

USC doesn’t want to be No. 109 either--even if fourth-ranked Florida State is only No. 106. But it will take a while to overcome the 25-yard and 31-yard games that left USC last among 112 Division I-A schools before the Trojans rediscovered their running game against Cal.

“To come out those first couple of drives and put people on the ground and open up holes, that did everything for our confidence,” tackle Ken Bowen said.

*

Safety Darnell Lacy is expected to sit out about three weeks after injuring a hamstring during Saturday’s game. . . . LaVale Woods wasn’t the only change in the backfield against Cal. Ted Iacenda, a 6-foot, 225-pound redshirt freshman, started at fullback ahead of senior Rodney Sermons.

NEXT UP FOR USC

Who: Nevada Las Vegas

Where: Coliseum

Time: Saturday, 7:15 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports West 2

Radio: KLSX-FM )97.1)