Old hands get new chances to make good on careers - OC Register
Injuries and academic problems for USC's young tailbacks have opened the door for two veterans who were here when Reggie Bush was a freshman.

Chauncey Washington and Hershel Dennis have dominated the latter spring practices as C.J. Gable, Emmanuel Moody and Allen Bradford recuperate. USC coach Pete Carroll said each of the sophomores was excused from practice entirely Tuesday so they could work on their studies...

...Washington...and Dennis...have stepped into the void. They were two of USC's most impressive performers at Saturday's spring game. Desmond Reed, who tore knee ligaments late in 2005, also has benefited from more repetitions...

Also, Baker dealing with sore knee - LA Daily News
Gable to miss rest of spring workouts - LA Times

Bush gets warm reception at practice - LA Times
Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, who was encouraged by USC to stay away from the 2007 Rose Bowl game because of an ongoing NCAA investigation, visited practice on Tuesday and was warmly welcomed by coaches and players.

"I'm not a stranger," Bush said. "I can come all the time. It's just like home."...

...USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett recently acknowledged that before the Rose Bowl against Michigan the NCAA told USC it would be appropriate, "if we kept our distance," from Bush during the investigation because the NCAA did not want the appearance that USC "was condoning anything."

On Tuesday, Bush said he was not angry...

Also, [Markazi] Reggie's other role - CNNSI

Fred Lynn To Be Inducted Into College Baseball Hall Of Fame - Official USC Website
The College Baseball Foundation announced today the names of eleven collegiate baseball legends, including former USC outfielder Fred Lynn, which join four veteran candidates that will comprise the 2007 Induction Class into the new College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock, Texas.

Lynn becomes the second Trojan to be inducted into the Hall of Fame after legendary head coach Rod Dedeaux made the first class last year. He appeared on three consecutive USC national championship squads (1971, 1972 and 1973)...

...Lynn became the first player in major league history to win American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors...

Rivers and Baker honored - LA Daily News
USC offensive lineman Sam Baker and linebacker Keith Rivers were named to the Playboy All-America team.

Baker is a repeat selection and first USC lineman to earn consecutive honors since offensive tackle Tony Boselli was a three-time selection (1992-94).

"It's really a cool thing to get that recognition," Baker said...

...Baker and Rivers will join the rest of the All-America team in Arizona next month to take a team picture although Baker will arrive late because he is graduating from USC...

...Rivers is the first USC linebacker to make the Playboy team since Marcus Cotton in 1987...

[Prisco] 'Other' Steve Smith makes name for himself in crowded WR class - CBS Sportsline
They questioned his speed, wondering if he was a burner who could make the big play.

He had the same name of an NFL receiver who could take it the distance in the blink of an eye, but the scouts wondered if he had that same type of speed. So the USC receiver named Steve Smith, who was often overshadowed during his career with the Trojans by players like Mike Williams and Dwayne Jarrett, did something about it.

At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February, Smith was timed at 4.44 in the 40, one of the fastest times of all the receivers who ran.

Where did that speed come from?...

[Dienhart] Ranking the Pac-10 coaches - Sporting News
1. Pete Carroll, USC. He has made the Trojans the nation's "it" program, stockpiling an embarrassment of riches in talent and setting the standard for excellence this decade. Let's just call him the "King of Kings." Yeah, that sounds about right.

2. Dennis Erickson, Arizona State...3. Mike Bellotti, Oregon...4. Jeff Tedford, Cal...5. Mike Riley, Oregon State...6. Karl Dorrell, UCLA...7. Mike Stoops, Arizona...8. Tyrone Willingham, Washington...9. Bill Doba, Washington State...10. Jim Harbaugh, Stanford...

SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY - Daily Trojan
On a day when USC's offense showed just how far it has come in the three weeks of spring practice, it also gave a glimpse of how far it has left to go.

While there was no scarcity of points at Saturday's Trojan Huddle, the scrimmage also provided plenty of turnovers. Five interceptions and three fumbles brought the offense's momentum to a halt.

John David Booty and Mark Sanchez threw two interceptions each. Booty shrugged off the interceptions and finished the scrimmage by hitting 15 of his 17 passes...

..."I thought (Booty) was really sharp today," coach Pete Carroll said.

Sanchez, however, was thrown off the mark by his turnovers...

Also, Sanchez facing backup QB role - OC Register

Patterson stands out for USC - LA Times
Travon Patterson, USC's smallest receiver, made perhaps the biggest impression Saturday as the Trojans went through their annual spring scrimmage at the Coliseum.

Patterson, generously listed at 5 feet 11 and 180 pounds, caught two touchdown passes and also returned a punt for a touchdown before an estimated crowd of 15,000.

"It was great to get a chance to show what I can do," said Patterson, a speedy sophomore from Long Beach who is expected to help fill the void left by the departures of Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith...

Also, Scrimmage provides 1st test for receivers - OC Register

[Oberjuerge] Tailbacks galore for Trojans - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
USC sometimes is known as "Tailback U."

"University of Tailbacks" might be more fitting.

Come August, USC will have 10 scholarship tailbacks on campus.

Yes, 10.

Enough to fill a classroom. Enough for a 5-on-5 pickup game. Almost enough to form a tailbacks-only huddle.

The Trojans have gone beyond "embarrassment of riches" at the tailback position. They're edging toward "cornering the market."...

Also, What's old is new, what's new is old, but will it matter? - Daily Trojan
Carroll sends message to Washington - LA Times
Veteran running back Dennis shines in USC spring game - Inland Empire Press-Enterprise