USC FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: THREE TROJANS GET PRESEASON HONORS.

Byline: Scott Wolf

Staff Writer

USC linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing and safety Taylor Mays were named to the Playboy preseason All-American team.

It's the first time USC has had at least three players on the team since 2005. Maualuga, Cushing and Mays are all first-time selections.

Sam Baker and Keith Rivers made last year's team.

"It's definitely cool. I realize how prestigious it is," Mays said. "I actually forgot it was in the preseason. I thought they honored you at the end of the season."

The players will spend a weekend at an Arizona resort next month with the rest of the All-American team.

"It's an honor," Maualuga said. "It really doesn't mean anything because you haven't done anything to deserve it. It's the preseason."

Maualuga said many NFL scouts and coaches attending Wednesday's Pro Day were eager to speak to him about his decision to return for his senior season.

"Most of the guys said, 'You made the right decision to stay,'" he said.

Maualuga admitted that watching his teammates work out for NFL teams caused a temporary temptation.

"You have about 20 seconds of, 'What would happen if you had left,'" Maualuga said. "But I still have things to do here."

Quarterback update

More proof the quarterback competition is fading: Mark Sanchez worked exclusively with the first team Thursday while Mitch Mustain worked with the second team.

Sanchez threw two interceptions for the second straight practice, although offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said all the quarterbacks enjoyed their best day of spring drills.

Mustain led the second team to three scoring drives and played with the reserves because the first-team defense allowed little time to execute plays.

"I wanted to slow things down (for Mustain)," Sarkisian said. "He did a nice job. Mark recognized some pressure and turned some possible bad plays into big plays."

Sanchez and Mustain were each pleased with their performances.

"Things were more fluid," Sanchez said. "The first unit is starting to feel things better with me out there and we're in sync."

Said Mustain: "We got away from being so structured. The stuff we did was fairly simple. I liked just being able to cut loose."

USC coach Pete Carroll said third-string quarterback Aaron Corp has become noticeably more confident and stronger on his throws.

"Some coaching points are helping him," Carroll said.

Practice report

Tailbacks Marc Tyler, Broderick Green and Allen Bradford broke long runs in practice. Wide receiver David Ausberry caught several big passes.

Cornerback Kevin Thomas intercepted his third pass in two practices, all off Sanchez.

Linebacker Malcolm Smith also intercepted a pass off a tip by defensive tackle Derek Simmons.

Injury report

Mays was struck in the knee during practice but said he would be OK. ... Tailback Joe McKnight got the day off to rest a sore hip. ... Maualuga remains out with a strained hamstring. ... Wide receiver Damian Williams remains out with a sore ankle.

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