Jones' reputation on offense has attention of USC's Carroll
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Southern Cal might have a prolific offense under offensive coordinator Norm Chow, but Trojans head coach Pete Carroll knows of the potential firepower of the University of Hawai'i's run-and-shoot.
The No. 4-ranked Trojans are coming off victories against then-nationally ranked Auburn (23-0) and Brigham Young (35-18). But Carroll knows his defense, led by its line known as the "Wild Bunch II," will be tested. The former NFL coach with the New York Jets (1994) and New England Patriots (1997-1999) and defensive coordinator with the Jets (1990-1993) and San Francisco 49ers (1995-1996) is very familiar with UH coach June Jones, a former NFL head coach with the Atlanta Falcons (1991-1993) and San Diego Chargers (1998 interim).
"We know June Jones has a tremendous background in offense," Carroll said in a teleconference yesterday. "I've known him for years and (have) respected him for a long time. His offense can kill you."
Meanwhile, Carroll is looking for some consistency from his own offense, which has averaged 310 yards per game.
"We've had two nice wins and we're grateful for that, but when you step back and evaluate the functions of both sides of the ball, I think offensively, we need to find our consistency ... It's just (a matter of) guys coming together over the next couple of weeks."
Defensively, the Trojans have a tendency to keep their opponents silent for stretches. They have scored 20 or more consecutive points 11 times dating to last season.
"It should be a great matchup," Carroll said. "We had a huge crowd at the stadium last week. We anticipate a big crowd again, probably about 75,000 people."
USC drew 75,315 at the 92,000-seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for last Saturday's BYU game.
• Out for season: Southern California cornerback Kevin Arbet, who missed all of last season with a stress fracture in his right foot, will be sidelined for the rest of this year because the injury hasn't healed.
A fifth-year senior, Arbet will have surgery and will petition the NCAA after the season for another year of eligibility, the school said yesterday.
He has started at cornerback, returned punts and kickoffs and also provided coverage on punts.
Arbet played in both of the Trojans' games this fall, making five tackles despite soreness in his foot. Tests revealed that the bone hadn't healed properly.
Senior Will Poole, a transfer from Boston College, will start in Arbet's spot.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
