USC FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: WITNESSES DEFEND SANCHEZ.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF Staff Writer

At least two witnesses emerged in the sexual-assault arrest of USC quarterback Mark Sanchez that could give statements viewed favorable toward Sanchez's case, according to sources.

Two USC students were inside Sanchez's apartment during the alleged incident. The students were not in the bedroom but were in an adjacent room of the apartment.

"I was in the area," said a student who did not wish to be identified. "I've heard both versions. Of course, I don't believe Mark did it."

Also in the apartment was Sanchez's roommate, linebacker Brian Cushing, who told police he was asleep, according to sources. That would mean there are three witnesses considered favorable because none would say they heard a rape occurred, according to legal sources.

Meanwhile, police sent the case to the district attorney's office's for review Wednesday. It could two weeks for a decision, sources said.

Sanchez, who is on "interim suspension" at USC returned to the campus this week and took a final exam Wednesday. His lawyer, Leonard Levine, released a statement Thursday, the first public remarks since Sanchez's arrest.

"Mark comes from a close-knit and very supportive family. They are proud of the ethics and integrity that Mark has always displayed on and off the field. Anyone close to Mark knows that he is a young man of exceptional character."

There was some surprise among USC circles Sanchez was not represented by Carmen Trutanich, who was the lawyer for tailback Hershel Dennis, cornerback Eric Wright and linebacker Rey Maualuga during their legal problems. Sources said Trutanich is no longer representing USC players because he is unhappy his daughter did not get accepted to the university. Trutanich could not be reached for comment Thursday.

--Quarterback commitments: USC received commitments from quarterbacks Samson Szakacsy of Camarillo and Aaron Corp of Orange Lutheran. The commitments follow USC's top two targets, Jimmy Clausen of Oaks Christian and Mike Paulus of Syracuse, N.Y., committing to Notre Dame and North Carolina, respectively.