Southern Cal wide receivers involved in role reversal

LOS ANGELES — With two of the country’s top wide receivers at his disposal, quarterback Matt Leinart went from untested sophomore to stardom last season.

Now, Leinart is the proven commodity and the ability of his targets is in question.

While Southern California coach Pete Carroll realizes his wideouts are young and inexperienced, he said Tuesday he expected more from them in his team’s season-opening 24-13 victory over Virginia Tech on Aug. 28.

“I thought we might be able to do a little better than we did. But Virginia Tech had something to say about that,” Carroll said. “Yeah, I wouldn’t like to be talking about this issue of transition, but it’s the facts. The young guys have to come on and do a good job for us.

“It’s clear — one guy from last year is going to play a bunch of games in the NFL and the other is a highly regarded guy once he comes out. So, those were fantastic players that we lost and our guys need to make a big move to catch up there.”

Keary Colbert caught 69 passes for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior last season, giving him a school-record 207 receptions in his career. He is now playing for the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers.

Mike Williams had 95 catches for 1,314 yards and 16 TDs as a sophomore, giving him 176 catches in just two seasons — fourth on USC’s all-time list. He is ineligible because the NCAA refused to reinstate him after his bid to turn pro early was blocked by the courts.

Leinart overcame a shaky start against Virginia Tech to complete 19 of 29 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns.

But the wide receiving corps had only eight receptions for 87 yards.

Carroll hopes for improvement, starting Saturday night when the top-ranked Trojans face Colorado State.

“Until that happens, we are going to have to find our way,” Carroll said. “We would like to see more production from the receiver spot. We’re just new — we’re just getting the feel of things.”

Sophomore Steve Smith, the leading returning receiver with 17 catches for 319 yards and two touchdowns, caught four for 68 yards against Virginia Tech. Fellow sophomore Chris McFoy made two catches for 11 yards.