USC Is Not Right Around the Corner

USC cornerback Justin Wyatt has watched with consternation the crisis unfolding across the field. Since the end of last season, one Trojan cornerback after another has fallen by the wayside because of off-the-field problems, injury or illness.

When top-ranked USC plays host to Washington State on Saturday, converted safety Josh Pinkard will become the third player in eight games to start opposite Wyatt.

“I guess it will be an ongoing process until our offense is just dead,” Wyatt, a three-year starter, said this week.

USC averted several pass-related challenges -- and the possible end of what has become a 29-game winning streak -- thanks to the nation’s highest-scoring offense.

Quarterback Matt Leinart, running back Reggie Bush and the rest of USC’s offensive stars have made up for shortcomings in a defensive unit that ranks eighth nationally against the run but 92nd among 119 Division I-A teams in pass defense.

Coach Pete Carroll, who doubles as defensive coordinator, said he was not concerned that the Trojans were surrendering 252.1 yards passing a game. Not when opponents were rushing for less than 100.

“I’m not worried one bit about how many yards they throw for,” Carroll said.

He acknowledged, however, that if USC is to complete its quest for an unprecedented third consecutive national title, the Trojan secondary must improve regardless of its depleted state.

USC routed Hawaii, which ranks second nationally in passing offense, but barely survived against Arizona State and Notre Dame, which rank third and fourth. Even struggling Washington passed for a touchdown last week.

Now comes Washington State, which ranks 16th in passing offense and sixth in total offense.

Greg Burns, USC’s secondary coach, said the defensive backs were accustomed to being considered vulnerable.

“Our mistakes cost touchdowns,” Burns said. “We know that. We understand that. That keeps us going. That’s all the drive we need.”

The Trojans have 11 interceptions, putting them on pace with other USC teams in the Carroll era, which averaged 20.

But Carroll said he was concerned about opponents’ third-down conversion rate. The Trojans, at 43.1%, rank eighth in the Pacific 10 Conference.

“We’ve got able guys, they’re just inexperienced,” Carroll said of players who have been rotated in for obvious passing situations. “We just need to do a great job coaching these guys and putting them in positions where they can be successful.”

USC’s cornerback problem began in March when sophomore Eric Wright was arrested by Los Angeles Police Department officers on suspicion of rape and was suspended indefinitely by USC.

Wright had started the final four games in 2004 and intercepted a pass in the Trojans’ national championship-game victory over Oklahoma. He was one of the fastest players on the team and was regarded as a top pro prospect.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office did not file sex- or drug-related charges against Wright because of insufficient evidence. But police said they found 136 Ecstasy pills in Wright’s room in the apartment he shared with a teammate.

With Wright unavailable for spring practice, sophomore Terrell Thomas became a starter. When Thomas suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game against Arkansas, the dominoes began to fall.

John Walker, a fifth-year senior who had played sparingly, moved into the starting lineup and receiver William Buchanon, who had started three games at cornerback in 2002, switched to defense to provide depth.

That same week, on the verge of the Pac-10 opener against Oregon, freshman Kevin Thomas was diagnosed with mononucleosis.

Walker, who got beat for a touchdown against Arkansas, gave up another in his first start against Oregon. He rebounded by intercepting two passes against Arizona State, the second clinching the Trojans’ comeback victory at Sun Devil Stadium.

But two weeks later, Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis and Fighting Irish quarterback Brady Quinn seemed to target Walker, throwing in his direction often and drawing several pass interference calls.

The usually reliable Wyatt, who had not given up a touchdown in his first three seasons, complicated the situation by surrendering touchdowns in consecutive games against Arizona, Notre Dame and Washington.

“I haven’t been real happy with the way I’ve been playing,” Wyatt said, adding, “You have to have a short memory as a cornerback. Small mistakes that you have are amplified.”

Carroll shifted Pinkard to cornerback before last week’s game against Washington and planned to ease him into the rotation. But when Walker suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter at Seattle, the versatile sophomore entered the game and played well.

Pinkard, who has two interceptions, said the transition to a new position would not be difficult.

“I have the heart of a safety so it’s not going to be like, ‘Oh he’s a regular corner.’ I’m going to be aggressive,” he said.

USC has a history under Carroll of formulating successful cornerback combinations late in the season.

In 2001, Antuan Simmons switched from free safety to cornerback in the 10th game because Chris Cash suffered a knee injury.

In 2002, Marcell Allmond moved into the starting lineup in the seventh game. He held his spot in 2003, and teamed with Will Poole, who became a starter in the third game, as the Trojans won a share of the national title.

Last season, Wright became a starter in the 10th game and appeared to have the potential to become one of the best cornerbacks in Trojan history before he was suspended. Wright transferred to Nevada Las Vegas in June.

Burns and Carroll are hoping that Pinkard will provide the Trojans with another late-season boost.

“It’s definitely not something that is planned but I’m thankful for it, I’ll take it in a minute,” Burns said.

USC also is buoyed by the return of Kevin Thomas and the continuing improvement of fellow freshman Cary Harris, both of whom played against Washington.

Wyatt said the cornerback corps was prepared for more tests -- and the passing yardage that might come with them.

“If we have to take the heat and keep winning, we’ll take the heat and keep winning,” he said.

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Backpedaling

USC has allowed 252.1 yards passing a game, 92nd among 119 Division I-A teams, while facing some of the nation’s leading pass offenses. The Trojans’ seven opponents so far, and where they rank nationally in pass offense:

*--* Opponent Rank YPG Hawaii 2nd 382.3 Arkansas 111th 133.0 Oregon 8th 327.6 Arizona St. 3rd 372.7 Arizona 64th 219.3 Notre Dame 4th 340.0 Washington 43rd 239.1

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