 "Photo: Steevens Alconcel | Daily TrojanB")
Despite hindering the USC offense in recent weeks, injuries to wide receivers junior Dwayne Jarrett and senior Steve Smith might have been a blessing in disguise as the Trojans begin the second half of the season.
The need to rest Jarrett and Smith during the bye week allowed freshmen wideouts Travon Patterson and Vidal Hazelton to take on more prominent roles in practice, a development that might diversify the offense down the road.
"We run a very complex offense and we're very limited when our personnel don't know every play," senior center Ryan Kalil said. "Getting the young guys reps helps broaden the offense."
Patterson and Hazelton each have just one catch on the season, but they've been given ample opportunities to make an impression during practices.
"Both of them have a good grasp of the offense," said quarterback John David Booty, a redshirt junior. "They're out there doing what they do, not thinking anymore. They're able to go out there and play, and it's exciting."
On Wednesday, Patterson made a handful of catches against the first-team defense after being chided by coach Pete Carroll earlier in the practice.
"I've been on him hard to make his plays and focus," Carroll said of Patterson, the Trojans' youngest player.
"It's a process; he's a really talented kid with a lot of upside. He just needs to get in a mode where he's consistent."
-
Backup quarterback redshirt freshman Mark Sanchez returned to practice after sitting out Tuesday with a sore back. Carroll said he was "really fired up" about Sanchez's improved health.
"The doctors thought he could play right out of this thing, and today was the day that happened," Carroll said.
-
Carroll said the team was expecting Beavers running back Yvenson Bernard, who is listed as doubtful with a sprained ankle, to play in Saturday's game, which kicks off at 12:30 p.m. in Corvallis, Ore.
Bernard, who has been on crutches since leaving the game in the fourth quarter Saturday against Arizona, has rushed for 746 yards and seven touchdowns on the year.
"We read the stuff that says all of his teammates think he's ready to go," Carroll said.
-
The Trojans' special teams unit, much improved since last year, will face one of its stiffest challenges this week in punt returner Sammie Stroughter.
Stroughter, a Sacramento, Calif., native, is averaging a Pacific-10 Conference-best 17.9 yards per return and has returned two punts for scores.
"He's the best guy in the conference it looks like," Carroll said.
Carroll also praised Trojans redshirt sophomore punter Greg Woidneck for the way he has adapted to different situations by adding hang time or distance to his punts.
"We have a punt team we think can challenge it with a guy like (Stroughter)," Carroll said.
-
Both Booty and Carroll were named semifinalists for national awards.
Booty was one of 15 still in the running for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's top player.
Carroll was a semifinalist for the George Munger Award for college coach of the year.
