USC FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: HOLLAND FACES UPHILL BATTLE.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF 

Staff Writer

USC officials are confident they will win a hearing on whether to grant former wide receiver Jamere Holland a full release to Oregon, according to sources.

Holland won the right to transfer to Oregon during a hearing last month, but he was not given permission to receive a scholarship by the Ducks. That means he would have to attend as a walk-on and pay out-of-state tuition costs.

USC officials believe they have a strong case because if Holland wins, it might set a precedent for athletes to transfer within the Pacific-10 Conference without going through proper procedures.

According to sources, USC believes Holland began contacting other schools before he actually received a release to begin communications with other schools. Holland could not be reached for comment.

A university committee of non-athletic department personnel will determine if Holland is granted a full release. He needs to enroll at Oregon by Oct. 3 in order to attend classes in the fall semester and redshirt.

McKnight frustrated: A day after Carroll said he tried to bring freshman tailback Joe McKnight along too fast, McKnight admitted he is frustrated by his slow start.

"I feel I've got a lot of stuff to prove," McKnight said. "I'm being impatient with myself. The coaches told me to relax."

McKnight was told by offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian that it took Reggie Bush five or six games before he made a big impression as a freshman.

"I don't want to wait that long," McKnight said.

McKnight also blamed himself for his two fumbles this season. He also said his sprained knee is healed.

Because of McKnight's slow start, USC is trying to simplify his role, with fewer plays as a slotback and more at tailback.

"We're going to play more of him at running back and less of that fringe stuff," Sarkisian said. "He's such a demanding kid. He expects himself to play great.

"I went back and looked at Reggie Bush's first four games his freshman year, and it wasn't special. There was not a lot going on."

Cushing not 100 percent: Trojans coach Pete Carroll said linebacker Brian Cushing (sprained ankle) will be a game-time decision because he did not practice as much as hoped.

"He's not 100 percent, I don't know how it will be," Carroll said.

Cushing insisted he will be ready for Saturday's game against Washington State.

Linebacker Clay Matthews is playing but wearing a cast on his left hand because he broke his thumb against Nebraska, so Thomas Williams took most of the snaps at that spot. Michael Morgan is also practicing at the position.

Sneak preview: Quarterback Mitch Mustain starred on the scout team with a long touchdown pass to Brandon Carswell among several impressive passes during practice.

"I'm trying to (make an impression)," Mustain said.

Carroll was impressed.

"I found out about the (scout) team," he said. "Guys are battling."

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