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Booty, USC try to pick apart Idaho in opener

Sep 1, 2007 - 12:07 PM Idaho at No. 1 USC 10:15 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Last seen pulling away from Michigan, John David Booty and Southern California should have no problem with Idaho.

Booty leads the top-ranked Trojans into Saturday's season-opening contest against the Vandals, who should find yards - let alone points - hard to come by.

A senior, Booty kick-started a potential 2007 Heisman Trophy run with an outstanding performance in the Rose Bowl last January, throwing for 391 yards and four touchdowns as USC thumped Michigan, 32-18.

Even after the August transfer of Emmanuel Moody, the second-leading rusher for the team last season, the Trojans have a nine-deep rotation of highly touted running backs.

One of them is freshman Joe McKnight, a Louisiana native who already has been compared to former Trojan Reggie Bush for his elusiveness and field vision.

Although the Trojan offense is full of former high school All-Americans, coach Pete Carroll's defense is the superior unit. Ten starters return, including sensational linebackers Rey Maualuga, Keith Rivers and Brian Cushing - the defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl.

USC, which went 11-2 last year and won its fifth straight Pac-10 Conference crown, should have its way early against Idaho, which was 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the Western Athletic Conference.

Coach Dennis Erickson's second tour of duty with the Vandals lasted just one season before he bolted for the Arizona State job.

Erickson has been replaced by Robb Akey, the former defensive coordinator at Washington State. Interestingly, USC defensive coordinator Nick Holt was Idaho's coach in 2004 and 2005, going just 5-18.

Late Trojans placekicker Mario Danelo, who fell from a cliff to his death in the offseason, will be honored before the game.