KELLY COMING INTO HIS OWN.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

USC keeps losing receivers, but the way true freshman Kareem Kelly is playing, it doesn't seem to matter.

Kelly emerged as the star of the Trojans' 24-21 victory over San Diego State at the Coliseum on Saturday, and has been USC's top receiver in the first two games.

He caught six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown against the Aztecs, and is proving to be a godsend for the Trojans, who were short two receivers because of injuries.

Senior starter Windrell Hayes went down in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle, and USC was already missing freshman Steve Stevenson, who has a sprained arch.

It didn't matter. It just meant more opportunities for Kelly, which is fine with his teammates.

``He's going to be one of the game's greats,'' tailback Chad Morton said after passing Kelly in the interview room. ``That's the Biletnikoff Award winner right there.''

A little bit too much excitement, perhaps, but Kelly cemented his up-and-coming status with an impressive 13-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. He managed to catch the ball in the corner of the end zone, with San Diego State cornerback Kevin Burton all over him.

``It was a pretty difficult catch, but it was a matter of me wanting the ball more than him,'' Kelly said. ``I just went up and got the ball.''

After catching five passes for 104 yards against Hawaii, Kelly seems to be having the time of his life at USC. But he doesn't want anyone to think he's just gliding through college.

``It's not easy at all,'' Kelly said. ``I'm here and I've got to go and do it.''

Judging by his performance against San Diego State, Kelly has also silenced the whispers that he had difficulty holding on to the ball.

It's clearly not a concern of USC coach Paul Hackett, who is beginning to gush when he talks about Kelly.

``He played like a salty old veteran,'' Hackett said. ``He played well beyond his years. He came in and played a great game. He made a beautiful play on the touchdown pass. What he showed today is what he showed all the way through camp and in practice.''

Kelly's career may be only two games old, but he's noticing a pattern about his play.

``If I practice hard and do well in practice, I think I do well in games,'' Kelly said. ``I'm going to keep practicing hard.''

Kelly also felt fortunate that San Diego State seemed preoccupied with R. Jay Soward, which afforded Kelly more single-coverage opportunities.

``They were doubling up on R. Jay, that's why I had so many catches,'' Kelly said. ``I also knew when Windrell went down, I would have to step it up.''

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PHOTO USC's Kareem Kelly catches a 13-yard TD pass over Kevin Burton in the fourth quarter.

Evan Yee/Daily News