IN BOOTY THEY TRUST NEW QUARTERBACK PASSES FIRST TEST, MAKES IMMEDIATE IMPRESSION ON USC PLAYERS, STAFF.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF  Staff Writer

It took only one game for USC quarterback John David Booty to show something Matt Leinart never did.

In the third quarter against Arkansas, Booty ripped a pass all the way across the field to wide receiver Patrick Turner. It was just a 14-yard gain, but the ball covered much more territory than that and the play did not go unnoticed by USC's receiving corps.

``Matt couldn't make those throws,'' wide receiver Steve Smith said. ``Booty can throw deep and pinpoint in the corners.''

Added wide receiver Chris McFoy: ``I don't recall Leinart ever making a pass like that.''

The third-ranked Trojans no longer have Leinart or Reggie Bush, but they scored 50 points in their first game, a contest in which coach Pete Carroll said the offense would be at its worst.

``We're ready to take the next step,'' Carroll said. ``We feel different about a lot of aspects of our team.''

Is it possible USC will not miss a beat offensively this season, even though the Trojans must replace what many analysts consider one of college football's greatest offenses?

``I don't think some people thought we could do it without Matt and Reggie,'' Smith said. ``We definitely made a statement. So many big-time names were lost, people thought we would struggle. They shouldn't be shocked how we did, even with the new names.

``This was just the beginning of what we can do. We didn't want to open up the playbook in the first game.''

Not everyone is impressed yet, however.

Freshman tailback Emmanuel Moody watched USC on TV last year, so he did not think 50 points against Arkansas was overly impressive.

``Fifty points is kind of a low score for USC football,'' Moody said. ``We can do better.''

USC might not be able to replace Leinart or Bush, but it is true that Booty brings additional plays to the offense that were unavailable with Leinart.

``Our offense is expanded,'' Smith said. ``John David has more of a risk factor. He'll take chances. Leinart didn't want to take many chances with throws and Booty is confident to do it.''

This is not just the players' opinion. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin also said Booty offers the offense a wider range of passes.

``It's no secret the guy showed on some throws he has a stronger arm than Matt,'' Kiffin said. ``He can make some throws better than Matt. And the game plan was just as big as when Matt was here.''

And it's not just Booty.

``Mark (Sanchez) and Booty have stronger arms than Matt,'' McFoy said.

Carroll said Booty has also been a different quarterback in practice after a successful debut as a starter.

``Just watching him now, he has every reason to trust in the preparation,'' Carroll said.

Booty's gunslinging nature benefited from another key stat. USC's offensive line allowed him to be sacked just once in about 65 plays.

``He did a great job managing the game, and the pass protection was outstanding,'' Coffin said. ``He played a really good game and was in great control.''

So that might take of replacing Leinart, but what about Bush, or LenDale White.

Moody averaged 8.3 yards per carry while Chauncey Washington averaged 6.9. Starter C.J. Gable, who went against the Arkansas defense when it was freshest, averaged 4.2 yards per carry.

``Of course, we surprised everybody,'' Moody said. ``We were underdogs. People had a lot of doubts. Our fans didn't but other people thought we weren't the same team.

Now they can say, `Wow, these guys are for real.' ''

And it should theoretically only get better.

``The next game, you will see me a lot more comfortable,'' Gable said. ``I wasn't that comfortable yet (against Arkansas).''

Of course, last year's offense could respond by mentioning it scored on four of the first eight plays against Arkansas.

Or that it scored 70 points against the Razorbacks.

But the expectations are naturally lower this season, and the 50-14 victory helped USC jumped from sixth to third in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

That's an impressive first-week jump, though not as eye-opening as in 1972, when USC went from No. 8 to No. 1 following their victory over Arkansas.

``We have guys with confidence right now,'' Smith said. ``There's no reason to think we can't keep doing what we've always done.''

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CAPTION(S):

4 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) no caption (John David Booty)

(2 -- color) BOOTY

(3 -- color) LEINART

(4 -- color) PALMER

Box:

WHAT TRANSITION?