SC NOTEBOOK: CHOW GETS TRICKY.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

The intermittent rains Saturday could have put a damper on USC's first spring scrimmage, but new coach Pete Carroll still made a lively first impression at the Coliseum.

Or, more specifically, offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who didn't waste a moment unveiling a more creative, wide-open offense.

USC not only ran a four-receiver formation, but broke out a variety of trick plays despite having had only seven practices.

The scrimmage was a clear departure from recent seasons, when the Trojans avoided trick plays.

`It's not so predictable,'' USC wide receiver Kareem Kelly said. ``You don't know what we're going to do. It opens things up for the good players. There's a lot of open opportunities for receivers.''

Added quarterback Carson Palmer: ``That's (Chow's) offense. Trickery and a lot of gimmickry. The offense is so much quicker.''

The new offensive philosophy also is welcomed by the defense, which has carried the Trojans the past three seasons.

`It's a relief,'' cornerback Kris Richard said. ``Our offense is wide open and there's no room for predictability.''

Now all USC has to do is learn its new offense.

``We were raggedy,'' Chow said after the 78-play scrimmage.

But that wasn't surprising, since quite a few players are trying to grasp the new offense.

``We still have got a lot of guys who are confused,'' Palmer said.

Kelly admitted that he had to cram Friday night just to have an idea of what to do during the scrimmage, where he caught two passes for 27 yards.

``It's been real tough for me,'' Kelly said. ``During the course of the week, I didn't know any plays.''

Palmer said one reason was because ``they threw in the whole playbook right away.''

The junior quarterback completed 10 of 21 passes for 148 yards, and his backup, freshman Matt Cassel of Chatsworth High, was 4 for 11 for 33 yards and an interception.

Cassel also threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Frank Candela, who enrolled in January after playing minor-league baseball the previous four years.

Tailback Sultan McCullough gained only 10 yards in 12 carries but scored two touchdowns. Malaefou MacKenzie had 19 yards on three carries.

Linebacker Kori Dickerson, who is playing tight end in spring drills, had three receptions for 38 yards and seems likely to move over to offense in the fall.

Carroll was disappointed after the scrimmage with the Trojans' sloppiness.

``It wasn't how I hoped,'' he said. ``I hoped we'd be much sharper at the line of scrimmage. We've got a long way to go. We're not nearly as precise as we need to be in order to be a good club.''

One thing hasn't changed. USC's kicking game remains woeful. Senior David Newbury missed an extra point and walk-on Anthony Boscarini missed two field goals. Newbury did make a 30-yard attempt.

``We need so much work. We need tons of work,'' Carroll said.

But Carroll tried to be generous with the kickers. The goal posts used were narrower than the normal college width because the XFL's Xtreme also had a game at the Coliseum on Saturday.

``We might have made a couple on college goal posts,'' Carroll said.

Defensive tackle Bernard Riley had a strong game defensively with five tackles, including four for a loss and two sacks. Linebacker John Cousins, defensive tackle Bobby DeMars, strong safety Frank Strong and cornerback Antuan Simmons all had four tackles apiece.

Senior linebacker Darryl Knight had the only interception.

--Notes: Fullback Charlie Landrigan's knee was cut more severely than originally thought Thursday, and he will miss the rest of spring practice. Landrigan, who caught his knee on a player's cleat, said the knee was cut to the bone and required several stitches.

Also missing the scrimmage were tight end Alex Holmes (stinger) and fullback Chad Pierson (back spasms).

Freshman wide receiver Ryan Haden, a walk-on from Pasadena, is the son of former USC quarterback Pat Haden. Also joining the team is sophomore offensive lineman Justin Brown from Chatsworth, who attended Chaminade and Fresno State.

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CARSON PALMER

The junior QB completed 10 of 21 passes for 148 yards during Saturday's scrimmage.