USC barely escaped noisy Fed-Ex Field in Landover, Md., which was 90% packed with Virginia Tech fans, with a victory that was nearly as uncomfortable as the sweltering humidity. Coach Pete Carroll said afterward that the Hokies would be the most athletic team USC would play this year, and their performance left the Trojan camp wondering why Virginia Tech was unranked?

The biggest surprise was the struggle the offensive line had to keep out the Hokie's pass rush. USC opened holes but they weren't for Reggie Bush and Lyndale White. The gaps were for the Virginia Tech defensive lineman who sacked quarterback Matt Leinart twice and made him look more like a slow Fran Tarkenton than a leading Heisman passer.

It was obvious that Leinart missed Mike Williams and the All-American's ability to leap and catch the ball in a crowd. USC's receivers, especially freshman sensation Dwayne Jarrett, seemed to get swallowed by the Hokies' defenders which left only tailback Reggie Bush for Leinart to throw to. Fortunately Bush did some damage when he caught the ball, scoring three touchdowns.

The NCAA denied Williams' bid to have his eligibility reinstated just before the Trojans boarded their bus to the airport last Thursday. Williams was trying to get back on the team after a court ruled he could not make make himself available for the NFL draft.

Offensive lineman Winston Justice had already been suspended for the season by school officials for pointing a toy pistol at students. At the time of the incident, Justice was on probation for soliciting a prostitute.

Other concerns for Carroll and offensive coordinator Norm Chow include the kicking game, and a sudden thinness at tailback. Ryan Kileen missed an easy 35-yard field-goal attempt in the first half Saturday night, and the push to the right reminded USC fans of his misses against Cal last season (USC's only loss) and Washington State in 2002. Also, running back Hershel Dennis has been suspended indefinitely because of his alleged role in a sexual assault case. Though he doesn't have the flashy style of Bush, Dennis was USC's most reliable back last season.

So, the Trojans have this week off and resume play on Sept. 11 against Colorado State at the Coliseum. The schedule appears to be an easy one, but road games against Oregon State and Washington State could be trouble. And the last two games are against rivals Notre Dame and UCLA. Obivously, Carroll would like to have all the off-field problems just faded memories by then.

COASTAL POINTS: UCLA opens its season Saturday in an entertaining matchup against Oklahoma State. Second-year coach Karl Dorrell is predicting better things for the Bruins who ended last season with an embarrassing loss to Fresno State in the Insight.com Bowl. Dorrell is hoping that the NCAA clears senior wide receiver Tab Perry to play by game time.