Shuffling Players on Defense Pays Off

USC did a lot of juggling with defensive personnel in the off-season and the results against San Jose State on Saturday were promising.

Linebacker Frank Strong, one of two safeties shifted forward to make the defense faster, led the team with seven tackles and he deflected two passes. Antuan Simmons, moved from cornerback to free safety, contributed three solo tackles and another deflection.

The Trojans also got good performances from players in familiar positions. Strong safety Troy Polamalu had six tackles and defensive lineman Bernard Riley intercepted a tipped pass. Riley said he enjoyed the new USC defense.

“Fast,” he said. “That’s what little [San Jose State tailback] Deonce Whitaker kept saying. ‘Man, you guys swarm.’ He kept saying that every time I was on top of him.”

*

While tailback Sultan McCullough led the USC offense, two newcomers also had big days.

Junior college transfer Grant Mattos showed he could catch the ball in traffic, leading the team with five receptions for 75 yards. Tight end Kori Dickerson, a converted linebacker, had three receptions for 41 yards. Dickerson had struggled with dropping passes during training camp.

“I just told myself it’s a simple offense, a game of catch,” he said. “That’s what Carson [Palmer] and all us receivers have been working on.”

Was he worried about hanging on to the football? “All that practice stuff is just practice,” he said. “What counts is in the game.”

San Jose State got bad news Saturday when university officials announced they had miscalculated the academic standing of middle linebacker Luke La Herran. The senior was told he was ineligible at the pregame meal.

“Luke put his head in his hands and cried like a baby,” Athletic Director Chuck Bell said. “The rest of the players gathered around him.”

Bell was visibly upset at administrators for giving such late notice.

“The process is flawed and it’s unfair to the kids,” he said.

UP NEXT FOR USC

Who: Kansas State

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Coliseum

TV: Fox Sports Net 2

Radio: KMPC (1540)