INJURIES FORCE CARROLL TO BECOME DEEP THINKER WITH STARTERS ON MEND, USC TURNS TO RESERVES.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF  Staff Writer

When USC coach Pete Carroll was hired, legendary assistant coach Marv Goux gave him a little lesson on when you knew you finally put together your program.

``When (offensive tackle) Anthony Munoz got hurt in 1979, they were depressed because they didn't know if they could depend on Don Mosebar,'' Carroll said. ``Then he got hurt and they thought the season was over because they had to put in a guy named (Bruce) Matthews. He only played in the NFL for over 20 years. That's what we're shooting for.''

Munoz is in the NFL Hall of Fame, while Mosebar and Matthews were All-Americans and All-Pro linemen.

Now the question is whether that type of moment arrived for USC again?

Since training camp, USC has lost sixstarters and one-part time starter to injuries: fullbacks Brandon Hancock and Ryan Powdrell, cornerback Kevin Thomas, safety Josh Pinkard, nose guard Sedrick Ellis, offensive guard Jeff Byers and linebacker Oscar Lua.

But the Trojans appear unaffected, thanks to years of compiling some of the nation's top recruiting classes. So far, USC seems immune from the devastating effects of injuries.

And in Carroll's opinion, the Trojans might emerge even stronger at some positions as the replacements gain valuable experience.

``I thought all along this would be our deepest team,'' Carroll said. ``Hopefully it will perform at the highest level. I don't know the answer to that yet. But I don't think people on the outside recognized our depth.

``There's no doubt we're as far along as we've been depth wise. There's so many competitive spots. It's worked out just like I hoped.''

It's a far cry from Carroll's first season in 2001, when depth problems forced him to finish the season with converted fullback Sunny Byrd starting at tailback.

Even last year, with a national championship on the line in the final series against Texas, USC's depth became an Achilles' heel. As Texas quarterback Vince Young led the Longhorns on the winning drive, the defense had twofreshmen that barely played (Thomas, Cary Harris), two lightly recruited players (safeties Brandon and Ryan Ting) and a former walk-on (linebacker Collin Ashton) on the field.

There are no such dilemmas this year.

When Ellis required knee surgery last week, Carroll switched defensive tackle Fili Moala to nose guard. He responded with four tackles and eased fears the Trojans would become vulnerable up the middle.

``Fili held up to all the tests,'' Carroll said. ``It really will help us down the road when Sedrick returns. It gives us a legit 1-2 punch at the nose spot.''

Another example is the season-ending injury to Pinkard. He played fivepositions on defense last season and was one of the most valuable players on the team. But Carroll plugged freshman Taylor Mays into the spot, perhaps the most athletic player on the team.

Mays is 6-foot-4, weighs 235 pounds and was considered one of the top recruits in the nation last season. Although Nebraska did not test the secondary, he still made five tackles in his first college start.

``I think the best thing was I didn't have any big mistakes and that's what some people questioned about me,'' Mays said. ``It gave me a lot of confidence. There was a couple plays I was upset about, but overall I think I did very well.''

Sometimes, fans (and maybe even coaches) don't mind a changing of the guard.

Senior linebacker Oscar Lua injured his hamstring on the opening series against Arkansas, but that allowed Rey Maualuga to step into the starting job, something a lot of observers waited for with great anticipation.

Maualuga played all of last week's game with Lua out and led the Trojans with 11 tackles.

``You've got to give it more time before making a final judgment, but it's worked out like I've hoped,'' Carroll said.

A bigger test could come Saturday. With two senior fullbacks (Hancock, Powdrell) out for the season, freshman Stanley Havili will be expected to play.

``I don't feel pressure but it's amazing how everyone is top caliber around here,'' Havili said. ``Every fullback in practices could block and catch the ball pretty well.''

Great depth also means some players are forced to wait their turn.

Although Carroll prides himself on playing freshmen, it's a little harder this season.

So far, 13 true freshmen played in the first two games, although a lot of them were on special teams.

``It's just a matter of waiting,'' freshman wide receiver Travon Patterson said. ``We have some great All-American type receivers. That's why some people turn down coming here. I'll wait my turn.''

Tight end Anthony McCoy, who has played in the first two games, also knows he needs to watch and learn.

``I'm pretty eager to play,'' he said. ``But I realize they trust people with more experience who know their stuff.''

It might be more difficult for the higher-profile freshmen, such as wide receiver Vidal Hazelton, one of the top 10 players in the nation last season.

He has played sparingly, but hopes to make an impression on the kick-return team this week.

``It's hard at times but I need to get through it mentally,'' Hazelton said. ``I need to prove to the coaches I should play. I don't worry about taking another guy's spot, the most I can do is try to learn from them. We have great players here, that's for sure.''

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With Oscar Lua injured, USC linebacker Rey Maualuga had 11 tackles against Nebraska.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

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FILLING THE GAPS