BILLY MILLER'S TIME IS TRIMMED BY TRIO.

The trio of Mike Bastianelli, R. Jay Soward and Chris Miller had the best week of practice and are expected to receive most of the playing time at wide receiver Saturday when USC hosts Washington.

``I think Bastianelli has earned a lot more opportunity,'' USC coach John Robinson said.

Bastianelli caught a 29-yard touchdown pass against Washington State while Soward returned a kickoff 78-yards for a touchdown.

So where does that leave Westlake's Billy Miller, who has been a starter most of the season but hampered by a partially separated shoulder?

``He's gone through some periods where he's just not catching the ball,'' Robinson said. ``He's trying really hard . . . I think trying to do something, trying to make the play, trying to win the game, has gotten to (him) a little bit.''

As for running back, Delon Washington will start with Shawn Walters as his backup.

That's no Halloween costume: Robinson attended Thursday night's Los Alamitos-Marina high school football game, along with Trojans assistant coach Mike Sanford.

But unlike Sanford, Robinson was not wearing a tuxedo.

Sanford was all dressed up because his daughter, Lindsay, was on the Los Alamitos homecoming court.

Robinson was at the game because the Trojans are keenly interested in Los Alamitos safety Ife Ohalete.

Light week: Since USC's practice Wednesday was severely limited by the heavy rains, the Trojans had less than three full days of practice for Washington. But Robinson was not worried by the lack of practice time.

``I think sometimes, this time of year, maybe going a little less strenuous is not bad,'' Robinson said.

Lowery's back: Defensive end Willie Lowery is expected to play against Washington and might even start. Although Taso Papadakis appears recovered from his sprained ankle, he is not expected to play.

Homecoming honors: USC will honor assistant coach Charles White, the 1979 Heisman Trophy winner, in a pregame ceremony for his election into the College Football Hall of Fame. Former USC and current Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Rodney Peete will also be saluted.