Justice Protects and Serves Trojans

A week after neutralizing the national leader in sacks, USC tackle Winston Justice is looking forward to another major test today when the seventh-ranked Trojans play 25th-ranked UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

Justice, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound freshman, will go up against Bruin defensive end Dave Ball, a 6-6, 278-pound junior who ranks fourth in the Pacific 10 Conference with 10 sacks.

“Keep ‘em coming,” Justice said. “That’s the only way to see if you’re getting better.”

Justice handled Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs in the Trojans’ 34-13 victory last Saturday. Suggs assisted on one sack but otherwise was not much of a factor as the Trojans extended their winning streak to five games.

“Suggs had more speed, Ball has more power,” Justice said. “I got a lot of confidence from last week. I think I can keep it going.”

USC Coach Pete Carroll said the Trojans devised several schemes to handle Suggs. Justice and left tackle Jacob Rogers will not have as much help today against a Bruin team that has recorded 35 sacks.

“They have to take care of themselves a little more,” Carroll said.

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David Davis kicked two 20-yard field goals and three extra points in last year’s 27-0 victory over the Bruins, but the senior struggled this season against Colorado and Kansas State and has been the backup to Ryan Killeen since the Pac-10 opener against Oregon State.

Kennedy Pola, USC’s special teams coach, said he reminded Davis about David Bell, who stepped in for the injured John Wall and kicked a 36-yard field goal with nine seconds left to beat the Bruins, 38-35, in 2000.

“You never know,” Pola said.

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Cornerback Marcell Allmond said the Trojan secondary cannot get lulled into overplaying the run to contain Bruin tailback Tyler Ebell.

“They also have great receivers,” Allmond said. “You still have to respect the throwing game.”

Craig Bragg leads the Bruins with 44 receptions and is averaging 16.8 yards a catch. Tab Perry has 34 receptions and is averaging 20.4 yards a catch. Tight end Mike Seidman also has 34 receptions.